ListenDaily - 28 July 2009: Unrecognizeable
Greetings from Merci Mission, NC! The readings this week may be short and sporadic, I am on a mission trip and get pc access when I can!
When Job's three friends, Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite, heard about all the troubles that had come upon him, they set out from their homes and met together by agreement to go and sympathize with him and comfort him. When they saw him from a distance, they could hardly recognize him; they began to weep aloud, and they tore their robes and sprinkled dust on their heads. Then they sat on the ground with him for seven days and seven nights. No one said a word to him, because they saw how great his suffering was.
Job 2:11-13 NIV (find any passage at www.Biblegateway.org)
"When they saw him from a distance, they could hardly recognize him."
How bad was Job's condition, that his friends could hardly recognize him? They were going to his home, they knew where he was, and yet his condition was such that he looked like a stranger to them. Granted, his physical condition was terrible -- and that was a significant part of the problem.
But I think there was more...Job's suffering had caused a change in his countenance. We admire Job for not cursing God, but there is no record, thus far, of him crying out to God for help. After his 'first test' we are told that Job fell to the ground in worship. There is no similar response after his 'second test'. What might have been different if Job not only refused to curse God, but continued to worship?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. What are your thoughts? 2.How does this passage make you feel? 3. Who is God to you?
INTERESTING THOUGHTS:
"God, who foresaw your tribulation,
has specially armed you to go through it,
not without pain but without stain."
C.S.Lewis
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Monday, July 27, 2009
ListenDaily - 27 July 2009: Bad theology; good practice
ListenDaily - 27 July 2009: Bad theology; good practice
Greetings from Merci Mission, NC! The readings this week may be short and sporadic, I am on a mission trip and get pc access when I can!
So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD and afflicted Job with painful sores from the soles of his feet to the top of his head. Then Job took a piece of broken pottery and scraped himself with it as he sat among the ashes. His wife said to him, "Are you still holding on to your integrity? Curse God and die!" He replied, "You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?" In all this, Job did not sin in what he said.
Job 2:7-11 NIV (find any passage at www.Biblegateway.org)
"Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?" Job was unaware of the repeated discourse between God and Satan. He did not know that Satan was directly the cause of his troubles; therefore attributed them to God. True, God allowed Satan to act, but nothing evil comes from God.
"In all this, Job did not sin in what he said." And yet, with his misunderstanding, he did right.
We may have misunderstandings in some of the finer points of theology; yet God is always right, always loving us -- so let us not sin in what we say or do.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. What are your thoughts? 2.How does this passage make you feel? 3. Who is God to you?
INTERESTING THOUGHTS:
"God, who foresaw your tribulation,
has specially armed you to go through it,
not without pain but without stain."
C.S.Lewis
Greetings from Merci Mission, NC! The readings this week may be short and sporadic, I am on a mission trip and get pc access when I can!
So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD and afflicted Job with painful sores from the soles of his feet to the top of his head. Then Job took a piece of broken pottery and scraped himself with it as he sat among the ashes. His wife said to him, "Are you still holding on to your integrity? Curse God and die!" He replied, "You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?" In all this, Job did not sin in what he said.
Job 2:7-11 NIV (find any passage at www.Biblegateway.org)
"Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?" Job was unaware of the repeated discourse between God and Satan. He did not know that Satan was directly the cause of his troubles; therefore attributed them to God. True, God allowed Satan to act, but nothing evil comes from God.
"In all this, Job did not sin in what he said." And yet, with his misunderstanding, he did right.
We may have misunderstandings in some of the finer points of theology; yet God is always right, always loving us -- so let us not sin in what we say or do.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. What are your thoughts? 2.How does this passage make you feel? 3. Who is God to you?
INTERESTING THOUGHTS:
"God, who foresaw your tribulation,
has specially armed you to go through it,
not without pain but without stain."
C.S.Lewis
Friday, July 24, 2009
ListenDaily - 24 July 2009: Who suffers?
On another day the angels came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came with them to present himself before him. And the LORD said to Satan, "Where have you come from?" Satan answered the LORD, "From roaming through the earth and going back and forth in it." Then the LORD said to Satan, "Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil. And he still maintains his integrity, though you incited me against him to ruin him without any reason." "Skin for skin!" Satan replied. "A man will give all he has for his own life. But stretch out your hand and strike his flesh and bones, and he will surely curse you to your face."
The LORD said to Satan, "Very well, then, he is in your hands; but you must spare his life." Job 2:1-5 NIV (find any passage at www.Biblegateway.org)
As we read what happens to Job, it is tempting to see God's action here as cruel. Then I think of the account in Luke 22, where Jesus tells Peter that Satan has asked to sift through the disciples "as wheat" , which God also allows, and it could almost reinforce that notion.
But then I think of Jesus; then I think of you - and of me.
"For God so loved the world, that He sent His only begotten Son" for you - and for me. And how it must have hurt Him to send Jesus to suffer the abuse, humiliation, agony, and death - for you and for me. He loves us so much that He accepted that pain.
I don't understand why God allowed Satan to torment Job, but this I do know; as much as Job suffered, God suffered more. And my guess is that the whole reason Satan goes after any of us is to hurt our Father. Whatever we go through, the pain is magnified for Him. And when we choose to sin, how much that must pain God and please the enemy.
This stuff in Job gets pretty intense, and difficult to understand. But you know something? A three year old child does not comprehend why reaching up to touch a hot stove might result in a swat on the behind. And in that moment, he is being denied something he wants terribly, has received what he perceives to be devastating pain, and in his mind this does not add up to love.
But we know better.
And God, our loving Father, knows better than we do.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. What are your thoughts? 2.How does this passage make you feel? 3. Who is God to you?
INTERESTING THOUGHTS:
"God, who foresaw your tribulation,
has specially armed you to go through it,
not without pain but without stain."
C.S.Lewis
The LORD said to Satan, "Very well, then, he is in your hands; but you must spare his life." Job 2:1-5 NIV (find any passage at www.Biblegateway.org)
As we read what happens to Job, it is tempting to see God's action here as cruel. Then I think of the account in Luke 22, where Jesus tells Peter that Satan has asked to sift through the disciples "as wheat" , which God also allows, and it could almost reinforce that notion.
But then I think of Jesus; then I think of you - and of me.
"For God so loved the world, that He sent His only begotten Son" for you - and for me. And how it must have hurt Him to send Jesus to suffer the abuse, humiliation, agony, and death - for you and for me. He loves us so much that He accepted that pain.
I don't understand why God allowed Satan to torment Job, but this I do know; as much as Job suffered, God suffered more. And my guess is that the whole reason Satan goes after any of us is to hurt our Father. Whatever we go through, the pain is magnified for Him. And when we choose to sin, how much that must pain God and please the enemy.
This stuff in Job gets pretty intense, and difficult to understand. But you know something? A three year old child does not comprehend why reaching up to touch a hot stove might result in a swat on the behind. And in that moment, he is being denied something he wants terribly, has received what he perceives to be devastating pain, and in his mind this does not add up to love.
But we know better.
And God, our loving Father, knows better than we do.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. What are your thoughts? 2.How does this passage make you feel? 3. Who is God to you?
INTERESTING THOUGHTS:
"God, who foresaw your tribulation,
has specially armed you to go through it,
not without pain but without stain."
C.S.Lewis
Thursday, July 23, 2009
ListenDaily - 23 July 2009: Skin for skin? e
ListenDaily - 23 July 2009: Skin for skin?
Job's Second Test
On another day the angels came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came with them to present himself before him. And the LORD said to Satan, "Where have you come from?" Satan answered the LORD, "From roaming through the earth and going back and forth in it." Then the LORD said to Satan, "Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil. And he still maintains his integrity, though you incited me against him to ruin him without any reason." "Skin for skin!" Satan replied. "A man will give all he has for his own life. But stretch out your hand and strike his flesh and bones, and he will surely curse you to your face." Job 2:1-5 NIV (find any passage at www.Biblegateway.org)
As I read this encounter,, I am trying, with great difficulty, to imagine all the 'skin for skin' -- all the times man has been stricken in his flesh and bones.
Every case of Alzheimer's.
Every child that ever starved to death..
Every person who has died in war.
Every act of street violence.
Every spouse ever abused.
Every disease.
Every injury.
All caused by Satan who wishes to ruin us for no reason.
Should that not send us all running into the loving arms of God?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. What are your thoughts? 2. How do you see the war against our 'flesh and bones'? 3. Who is God to you?
INTERESTING THOUGHTS:
Blessed Be Your Name
by Matt Redman
Hear it here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NL3NFhmxQxs
Blessed Be Your Name
In the land that is plentiful
Where Your streams of abundance flow
Blessed be Your name
Blessed Be Your name
When I'm found in the desert place
Though I walk through the wilderness
Blessed Be Your name
Every blessing You pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name
Blessed be Your name
When the sun's shining down on me
When the world's 'all as it should be'
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be Your name
On the road marked with suffering
Though there's pain in the offering
Blessed be Your name
Every blessing You pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name
You give and take away
You give and take away
My heart will choose to say
Lord, blessed be Your name
Job's Second Test
On another day the angels came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came with them to present himself before him. And the LORD said to Satan, "Where have you come from?" Satan answered the LORD, "From roaming through the earth and going back and forth in it." Then the LORD said to Satan, "Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil. And he still maintains his integrity, though you incited me against him to ruin him without any reason." "Skin for skin!" Satan replied. "A man will give all he has for his own life. But stretch out your hand and strike his flesh and bones, and he will surely curse you to your face." Job 2:1-5 NIV (find any passage at www.Biblegateway.org)
As I read this encounter,, I am trying, with great difficulty, to imagine all the 'skin for skin' -- all the times man has been stricken in his flesh and bones.
Every case of Alzheimer's.
Every child that ever starved to death..
Every person who has died in war.
Every act of street violence.
Every spouse ever abused.
Every disease.
Every injury.
All caused by Satan who wishes to ruin us for no reason.
Should that not send us all running into the loving arms of God?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. What are your thoughts? 2. How do you see the war against our 'flesh and bones'? 3. Who is God to you?
INTERESTING THOUGHTS:
Blessed Be Your Name
by Matt Redman
Hear it here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NL3NFhmxQxs
Blessed Be Your Name
In the land that is plentiful
Where Your streams of abundance flow
Blessed be Your name
Blessed Be Your name
When I'm found in the desert place
Though I walk through the wilderness
Blessed Be Your name
Every blessing You pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name
Blessed be Your name
When the sun's shining down on me
When the world's 'all as it should be'
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be Your name
On the road marked with suffering
Though there's pain in the offering
Blessed be Your name
Every blessing You pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name
You give and take away
You give and take away
My heart will choose to say
Lord, blessed be Your name
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
ListenDaily - 21 July 2009: Attain and maintain
ListenDaily - 21 July 2009: Attain and maintain
Wow, sorry for the gap in readings; we opened our new building for worship on Sunday, and the preparations kept me very busy all week. Next week I'll be gone on another mission trip, and I am unsure at this point if I'll have internet access.
Job's Second Test
On another day the angels came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came with them to present himself before him. And the LORD said to Satan, "Where have you come from?" Satan answered the LORD, "From roaming through the earth and going back and forth in it." Then the LORD said to Satan, "Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil. And he still maintains his integrity, though you incited me against him to ruin him without any reason." Job 2:1-4 NIV (find any passage at www.Biblegateway.org)
"And he still maintains his integrity..."
Of all human actions recorded in the Bible, this is as significant as any. Faced with as much tragedy as anyone ever, Job maintained his integrity.
Without this, the book of Job need not have been written.
Without this, Job would not have been a worthy example for us.
Without this, Job would not have survived further attack. Through his continued integrity, Job was able to continually receive God's strength to stand. And this is a lesson for us. We must attain and maintain an accurate vision of who God is. Without that, how can we ever receive the strength He makes available to us? God never forces anything upon us. We must continually seek Him, and allow Him to give to us.
"May the name of the LORD be praised."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. What enabled Job to maintain? 2. How do you respond to bad news? 3. Who is God to you?
INTERESTING THOUGHTS:
Blessed Be Your Name
by Matt Redman
Hear it here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NL3NFhmxQxs
Blessed Be Your Name
In the land that is plentiful
Where Your streams of abundance flow
Blessed be Your name
Blessed Be Your name
When I'm found in the desert place
Though I walk through the wilderness
Blessed Be Your name
Every blessing You pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name
Blessed be Your name
When the sun's shining down on me
When the world's 'all as it should be'
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be Your name
On the road marked with suffering
Though there's pain in the offering
Blessed be Your name
Every blessing You pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name
You give and take away
You give and take away
My heart will choose to say
Lord, blessed be Your name
Wow, sorry for the gap in readings; we opened our new building for worship on Sunday, and the preparations kept me very busy all week. Next week I'll be gone on another mission trip, and I am unsure at this point if I'll have internet access.
Job's Second Test
On another day the angels came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came with them to present himself before him. And the LORD said to Satan, "Where have you come from?" Satan answered the LORD, "From roaming through the earth and going back and forth in it." Then the LORD said to Satan, "Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil. And he still maintains his integrity, though you incited me against him to ruin him without any reason." Job 2:1-4 NIV (find any passage at www.Biblegateway.org)
"And he still maintains his integrity..."
Of all human actions recorded in the Bible, this is as significant as any. Faced with as much tragedy as anyone ever, Job maintained his integrity.
Without this, the book of Job need not have been written.
Without this, Job would not have been a worthy example for us.
Without this, Job would not have survived further attack. Through his continued integrity, Job was able to continually receive God's strength to stand. And this is a lesson for us. We must attain and maintain an accurate vision of who God is. Without that, how can we ever receive the strength He makes available to us? God never forces anything upon us. We must continually seek Him, and allow Him to give to us.
"May the name of the LORD be praised."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. What enabled Job to maintain? 2. How do you respond to bad news? 3. Who is God to you?
INTERESTING THOUGHTS:
Blessed Be Your Name
by Matt Redman
Hear it here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NL3NFhmxQxs
Blessed Be Your Name
In the land that is plentiful
Where Your streams of abundance flow
Blessed be Your name
Blessed Be Your name
When I'm found in the desert place
Though I walk through the wilderness
Blessed Be Your name
Every blessing You pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name
Blessed be Your name
When the sun's shining down on me
When the world's 'all as it should be'
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be Your name
On the road marked with suffering
Though there's pain in the offering
Blessed be Your name
Every blessing You pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name
You give and take away
You give and take away
My heart will choose to say
Lord, blessed be Your name
Friday, July 10, 2009
ListenDaily - 10 July 2009: Is it God's fault?
ListenDaily - 10 July 2009: Is it God's fault?
Job's First Test
In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing. Job 1:22 NIV (find any passage at www.Biblegateway.org)
If you can, please read chapter 2 for next week.
"In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing."
"In all this..." was pretty big. Job lost all of his livestock, all but three of his servants, and all of his children. We know that he was attacked by Satan, but what did Job know? He did not have the book that bears his name to get that information.
But remember, Job was a man who "...was blameless and upright; he feared God and shunned evil...." Whatever he knew, or did not know, he knew that evil could not come from God. So that left him with two choices: 1) These were not acts of evil, however they appeared, or 2) God was not responsible.
We should have that perspective on everything! God cannot do evil, everything He does is good. We may not know which applies to a given circumstance, as Job may not have known. But this perspective allows us to say, along with Job:
"May the name of the LORD be praised."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. What are your thoughts on Job's responses as recorded here? 2. How do you respond to bad news? 3. How might that be different if your first response was worship, and your second to praise?
INTERESTING THOUGHTS:
Blessed Be Your Name
by Matt Redman
Hear it here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NL3NFhmxQxs
Blessed Be Your Name
In the land that is plentiful
Where Your streams of abundance flow
Blessed be Your name
Blessed Be Your name
When I'm found in the desert place
Though I walk through the wilderness
Blessed Be Your name
Every blessing You pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name
Blessed be Your name
When the sun's shining down on me
When the world's 'all as it should be'
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be Your name
On the road marked with suffering
Though there's pain in the offering
Blessed be Your name
Every blessing You pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name
You give and take away
You give and take away
My heart will choose to say
Lord, blessed be Your name
Job's First Test
In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing. Job 1:22 NIV (find any passage at www.Biblegateway.org)
If you can, please read chapter 2 for next week.
"In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing."
"In all this..." was pretty big. Job lost all of his livestock, all but three of his servants, and all of his children. We know that he was attacked by Satan, but what did Job know? He did not have the book that bears his name to get that information.
But remember, Job was a man who "...was blameless and upright; he feared God and shunned evil...." Whatever he knew, or did not know, he knew that evil could not come from God. So that left him with two choices: 1) These were not acts of evil, however they appeared, or 2) God was not responsible.
We should have that perspective on everything! God cannot do evil, everything He does is good. We may not know which applies to a given circumstance, as Job may not have known. But this perspective allows us to say, along with Job:
"May the name of the LORD be praised."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. What are your thoughts on Job's responses as recorded here? 2. How do you respond to bad news? 3. How might that be different if your first response was worship, and your second to praise?
INTERESTING THOUGHTS:
Blessed Be Your Name
by Matt Redman
Hear it here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NL3NFhmxQxs
Blessed Be Your Name
In the land that is plentiful
Where Your streams of abundance flow
Blessed be Your name
Blessed Be Your name
When I'm found in the desert place
Though I walk through the wilderness
Blessed Be Your name
Every blessing You pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name
Blessed be Your name
When the sun's shining down on me
When the world's 'all as it should be'
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be Your name
On the road marked with suffering
Though there's pain in the offering
Blessed be Your name
Every blessing You pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name
You give and take away
You give and take away
My heart will choose to say
Lord, blessed be Your name
Thursday, July 9, 2009
ListenDaily - 09 July 2009: He is worthy!
ListenDaily - 09 July 2009: He is worthy!
Job's First Test
At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship and said: "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised."
Job 1:20-21 NIV (find any passage at www.Biblegateway.org)
If you can, please read chapter 2, which we'll cover over the next few days. I am beginning to see the book of Job as a study in preparation and response to hardships. Job may not have been planning on difficulty with intent, but he was "blameless and upright, he feared God and shunned evil" which is as good preparation as one can have. Now let us look at his response, including and going beyond his worship.
"At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head." These were the signs of grieving; and Job was grieving. Now whether he did this as an emotional response, or because it was the societal norm, or both, we do not know. But we do know that he was truly grieving.
"Then he fell to the ground in worship..." We covered this last time, but it bears repeating that in the midst of what we can only imagine as the most intense grief, that Job fell to his knees and worshiped God. Now, I don't want to state that which I do not know, but I find it interesting that it does not say that Job 'knelt down to worship', or that he 'lay down to worship', but that he "fell to the ground". I believe that Job's preparation, his constant seeking after God before these disasters, left him teetering at the edge of the only place he could go for help. He was so ever in the presence of God before this, that he simply collapsed into God's arms -- into worship.
At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship and said: "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised." In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing.
"...and said: "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart." Whatever Job's theology or doctrine or understanding about eternity were, he understood this basic truth; we don't bring anything into this world, and whatever material possessions we gain, we cannot take them with us.
"The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away..." One might argue that it was not God who 'took away' from Job, that it was Satan's doing. And one might counter that it was all done with God's permission. What is clearly evident, however, is that Job sees his place here, as steward, not owner..
"...may the name of the LORD be praised." This is a message we all need. God is to be praised regardless of our circumstances. God is worthy of worship, and worthy of praise...always. In the midst of good times and bad, He is to be praised. And it is not that God has some ego that He insists upon us stroking, no, the worthiness of God is the essential truth of the universe.
And...by praising Him and worshiping Him, we are more quickly brought into the place where we can be relieved, renewed, refreshed, and re-strengthened.
"May the name of the LORD be praised."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. What are your thoughts on Job's responses as recorded here? 2. How do you respond to bad news? 3. How might that be different if your first response was worship, and your second to praise?
INTERESTING THOUGHTS:
Blessed Be Your Name
by Matt Redman
Hear it here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NL3NFhmxQxs
Blessed Be Your Name
In the land that is plentiful
Where Your streams of abundance flow
Blessed be Your name
Blessed Be Your name
When I'm found in the desert place
Though I walk through the wilderness
Blessed Be Your name
Every blessing You pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name
Blessed be Your name
When the sun's shining down on me
When the world's 'all as it should be'
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be Your name
On the road marked with suffering
Though there's pain in the offering
Blessed be Your name
Every blessing You pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name
You give and take away
You give and take away
My heart will choose to say
Lord, blessed be Your name
Job's First Test
At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship and said: "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised."
Job 1:20-21 NIV (find any passage at www.Biblegateway.org)
If you can, please read chapter 2, which we'll cover over the next few days. I am beginning to see the book of Job as a study in preparation and response to hardships. Job may not have been planning on difficulty with intent, but he was "blameless and upright, he feared God and shunned evil" which is as good preparation as one can have. Now let us look at his response, including and going beyond his worship.
"At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head." These were the signs of grieving; and Job was grieving. Now whether he did this as an emotional response, or because it was the societal norm, or both, we do not know. But we do know that he was truly grieving.
"Then he fell to the ground in worship..." We covered this last time, but it bears repeating that in the midst of what we can only imagine as the most intense grief, that Job fell to his knees and worshiped God. Now, I don't want to state that which I do not know, but I find it interesting that it does not say that Job 'knelt down to worship', or that he 'lay down to worship', but that he "fell to the ground". I believe that Job's preparation, his constant seeking after God before these disasters, left him teetering at the edge of the only place he could go for help. He was so ever in the presence of God before this, that he simply collapsed into God's arms -- into worship.
At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship and said: "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised." In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing.
"...and said: "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart." Whatever Job's theology or doctrine or understanding about eternity were, he understood this basic truth; we don't bring anything into this world, and whatever material possessions we gain, we cannot take them with us.
"The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away..." One might argue that it was not God who 'took away' from Job, that it was Satan's doing. And one might counter that it was all done with God's permission. What is clearly evident, however, is that Job sees his place here, as steward, not owner..
"...may the name of the LORD be praised." This is a message we all need. God is to be praised regardless of our circumstances. God is worthy of worship, and worthy of praise...always. In the midst of good times and bad, He is to be praised. And it is not that God has some ego that He insists upon us stroking, no, the worthiness of God is the essential truth of the universe.
And...by praising Him and worshiping Him, we are more quickly brought into the place where we can be relieved, renewed, refreshed, and re-strengthened.
"May the name of the LORD be praised."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. What are your thoughts on Job's responses as recorded here? 2. How do you respond to bad news? 3. How might that be different if your first response was worship, and your second to praise?
INTERESTING THOUGHTS:
Blessed Be Your Name
by Matt Redman
Hear it here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NL3NFhmxQxs
Blessed Be Your Name
In the land that is plentiful
Where Your streams of abundance flow
Blessed be Your name
Blessed Be Your name
When I'm found in the desert place
Though I walk through the wilderness
Blessed Be Your name
Every blessing You pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name
Blessed be Your name
When the sun's shining down on me
When the world's 'all as it should be'
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be Your name
On the road marked with suffering
Though there's pain in the offering
Blessed be Your name
Every blessing You pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name
You give and take away
You give and take away
My heart will choose to say
Lord, blessed be Your name
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
ListenDaily - 07 July 2009: Oh God, what am I going to do now?
ListenDaily - 07 July 2009: Oh God, what am I going to do now?
Job's First Test
One day when Job's sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother's house, a messenger came to Job and said, "The oxen were plowing and the donkeys were grazing nearby, and the Sabeans attacked and carried them off. They put the servants to the sword, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!" While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said, "The fire of God fell from the sky and burned up the sheep and the servants, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!" While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said, "The Chaldeans formed three raiding parties and swept down on your camels and carried them off. They put the servants to the sword, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!" While he was still speaking, yet another messenger came and said, "Your sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother's house, when suddenly a mighty wind swept in from the desert and struck the four corners of the house. It collapsed on them and they are dead, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!"
At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship and said: "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised." In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing.
Job 1:13-22 NIV (find any passage at www.Biblegateway.org)
"Then he fell to the ground in worship..."
Other than the actions of Christ Himself, is there a greater statement of profound faith than this, anywhere in the Bible?
"The oxen were plowing and the donkeys were grazing nearby, and the Sabeans attacked and carried them off. They put the servants to the sword..."
"Then he fell to the ground in worship..."
"The fire of God fell from the sky and burned up the sheep and the servants..."
"Then he fell to the ground in worship..."
"The Chaldeans formed three raiding parties and swept down on your camels and carried them off. They put the servants to the sword..."
"Then he fell to the ground in worship..."
"Your sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother's house, when suddenly a mighty wind swept in from the desert and struck the four corners of the house. It collapsed on them and they are dead..."
"Then he fell to the ground in worship..."
As we move through this study, we will see that while Job did not understand everything that happened to him, he remembered the most important thing, God is still God, and all God does is right. His response to more tragedy than anyone can imagine was to worship. Centuries before Paul wrote the letters to the Thessalonians and the Philippians, Job understood the precepts: "give thanks in all circumstances" and "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."
Job did not question, he did not rail, he did not consult..."he fell to the ground in worship."
Amen.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. What is the importance of Job's act? 2. How do you respond to bad news? 3. How might that be different if your first response was worship?
INTERESTING THOUGHTS:
"A man can no more diminish God's glory by refusing to worship Him than a lunatic can put out the sun by scribbling 'darkness' on the wall of his cell." C.S.Lewis
"If thou beest ever so exact in thy morals, and not a worshiper of God, then thou art an atheist." William Gurnall
"Missions is not the ultimate goal of the church. Worship is. Missions exists because worship doesn't." John Piper
"Beware in your prayers, above everything else, of limiting God, not only by unbelief, but by fancying that you know what He can do. Expect unexpected things, above all that we ask or think. Each time, before you Intercede, be quiet first, and worship God in His glory. Think of what He can do, and how He delights to hear the prayers of His redeemed people. Think of your place and privilege in Christ, and expect great things!" Andrew Murray
Job's First Test
One day when Job's sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother's house, a messenger came to Job and said, "The oxen were plowing and the donkeys were grazing nearby, and the Sabeans attacked and carried them off. They put the servants to the sword, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!" While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said, "The fire of God fell from the sky and burned up the sheep and the servants, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!" While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said, "The Chaldeans formed three raiding parties and swept down on your camels and carried them off. They put the servants to the sword, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!" While he was still speaking, yet another messenger came and said, "Your sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother's house, when suddenly a mighty wind swept in from the desert and struck the four corners of the house. It collapsed on them and they are dead, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!"
At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship and said: "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised." In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing.
Job 1:13-22 NIV (find any passage at www.Biblegateway.org)
"Then he fell to the ground in worship..."
Other than the actions of Christ Himself, is there a greater statement of profound faith than this, anywhere in the Bible?
"The oxen were plowing and the donkeys were grazing nearby, and the Sabeans attacked and carried them off. They put the servants to the sword..."
"Then he fell to the ground in worship..."
"The fire of God fell from the sky and burned up the sheep and the servants..."
"Then he fell to the ground in worship..."
"The Chaldeans formed three raiding parties and swept down on your camels and carried them off. They put the servants to the sword..."
"Then he fell to the ground in worship..."
"Your sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother's house, when suddenly a mighty wind swept in from the desert and struck the four corners of the house. It collapsed on them and they are dead..."
"Then he fell to the ground in worship..."
As we move through this study, we will see that while Job did not understand everything that happened to him, he remembered the most important thing, God is still God, and all God does is right. His response to more tragedy than anyone can imagine was to worship. Centuries before Paul wrote the letters to the Thessalonians and the Philippians, Job understood the precepts: "give thanks in all circumstances" and "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."
Job did not question, he did not rail, he did not consult..."he fell to the ground in worship."
Amen.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. What is the importance of Job's act? 2. How do you respond to bad news? 3. How might that be different if your first response was worship?
INTERESTING THOUGHTS:
"A man can no more diminish God's glory by refusing to worship Him than a lunatic can put out the sun by scribbling 'darkness' on the wall of his cell." C.S.Lewis
"If thou beest ever so exact in thy morals, and not a worshiper of God, then thou art an atheist." William Gurnall
"Missions is not the ultimate goal of the church. Worship is. Missions exists because worship doesn't." John Piper
"Beware in your prayers, above everything else, of limiting God, not only by unbelief, but by fancying that you know what He can do. Expect unexpected things, above all that we ask or think. Each time, before you Intercede, be quiet first, and worship God in His glory. Think of what He can do, and how He delights to hear the prayers of His redeemed people. Think of your place and privilege in Christ, and expect great things!" Andrew Murray
Monday, July 6, 2009
ListenDaily - 06 July 2009: Can't tell up from down...
ListenDaily - 06 July 2009: Can't tell up from down...
Job's First Test
One day the angels came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came with them. The LORD said to Satan, "Where have you come from?" Satan answered the LORD, "From roaming through the earth and going back and forth in it." Then the LORD said to Satan, "Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil." "Does Job fear God for nothing?" Satan replied. "Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land. But stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face." The LORD said to Satan, "Very well, then, everything he has is in your hands, but on the man himself do not lay a finger." Then Satan went out from the presence of the LORD.
One day when Job's sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother's house, a messenger came to Job and said, "The oxen were plowing and the donkeys were grazing nearby, and the Sabeans attacked and carried them off. They put the servants to the sword, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!" While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said, "The fire of God fell from the sky and burned up the sheep and the servants, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!" While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said, "The Chaldeans formed three raiding parties and swept down on your camels and carried them off. They put the servants to the sword, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!" While he was still speaking, yet another messenger came and said, "Your sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother's house, when suddenly a mighty wind swept in from the desert and struck the four corners of the house. It collapsed on them and they are dead, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!"
At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship and said: "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart.The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised." In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing.
Job 1:6-22 NIV (find any passage at www.Biblegateway.org)
We will spend a few days in this passage, as there is so much here...so much which is easy to miss...and so much which can be easily misunderstood. I would like to start with: "One day the angels came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came with them."
Do you find this statement startling? It startled me the first time I paid attention to it. I used to have a notion of of God being 'up there' and Satan being, you know...'down there'. But this passage certainly puts that notion aside. The picture we get here is the King of all there is, surrounded by a council of angels, and not just those who chose to stay obedient to God, but Satan as well. (What a contrast this is from the images in Revelation, after Satan is no more, when all Heavenly beings do nothing but worship God.)
As we read about Job's problems and consider our own, please remember this: God is indeed King, indeed sovereign, and Satan is limited within the authority of God.
We may not understand why Satan has been allowed to 'roam the Earth', but we must remember that though he is opposite in intent to God, he is not equal to God in any way, and can only maneuver within the limits allowed him. Whatever bad things happened to Job, whatever happened to Jesus, and whatever happens to believers even now, are all within the constraints in which Satan is allowed to work. The things that take place in the spiritual realm are largely beyond our understanding, but God loves you enough to allow His Son to be sacrificed for you, and your ultimate good is His goal.
Satan was defeated when the stone was rolled away. His last whimpering efforts may cause us pain, but ultimately God will be glorified.
Amen.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. How does the image of Satan approaching God affect your thinking? 2. How do you compare God and Satan in regards to their intent? Their authority? Their power? 3. What Scriptures confirm those comparisons?
INTERESTING THOUGHT:
"A man may lose the good things of this life against his will;
but if he loses the eternal blessings, he does so with his own consent."
Augustine
--
Job's First Test
One day the angels came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came with them. The LORD said to Satan, "Where have you come from?" Satan answered the LORD, "From roaming through the earth and going back and forth in it." Then the LORD said to Satan, "Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil." "Does Job fear God for nothing?" Satan replied. "Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land. But stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face." The LORD said to Satan, "Very well, then, everything he has is in your hands, but on the man himself do not lay a finger." Then Satan went out from the presence of the LORD.
One day when Job's sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother's house, a messenger came to Job and said, "The oxen were plowing and the donkeys were grazing nearby, and the Sabeans attacked and carried them off. They put the servants to the sword, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!" While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said, "The fire of God fell from the sky and burned up the sheep and the servants, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!" While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said, "The Chaldeans formed three raiding parties and swept down on your camels and carried them off. They put the servants to the sword, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!" While he was still speaking, yet another messenger came and said, "Your sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother's house, when suddenly a mighty wind swept in from the desert and struck the four corners of the house. It collapsed on them and they are dead, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!"
At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship and said: "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart.The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised." In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing.
Job 1:6-22 NIV (find any passage at www.Biblegateway.org)
We will spend a few days in this passage, as there is so much here...so much which is easy to miss...and so much which can be easily misunderstood. I would like to start with: "One day the angels came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came with them."
Do you find this statement startling? It startled me the first time I paid attention to it. I used to have a notion of of God being 'up there' and Satan being, you know...'down there'. But this passage certainly puts that notion aside. The picture we get here is the King of all there is, surrounded by a council of angels, and not just those who chose to stay obedient to God, but Satan as well. (What a contrast this is from the images in Revelation, after Satan is no more, when all Heavenly beings do nothing but worship God.)
As we read about Job's problems and consider our own, please remember this: God is indeed King, indeed sovereign, and Satan is limited within the authority of God.
We may not understand why Satan has been allowed to 'roam the Earth', but we must remember that though he is opposite in intent to God, he is not equal to God in any way, and can only maneuver within the limits allowed him. Whatever bad things happened to Job, whatever happened to Jesus, and whatever happens to believers even now, are all within the constraints in which Satan is allowed to work. The things that take place in the spiritual realm are largely beyond our understanding, but God loves you enough to allow His Son to be sacrificed for you, and your ultimate good is His goal.
Satan was defeated when the stone was rolled away. His last whimpering efforts may cause us pain, but ultimately God will be glorified.
Amen.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. How does the image of Satan approaching God affect your thinking? 2. How do you compare God and Satan in regards to their intent? Their authority? Their power? 3. What Scriptures confirm those comparisons?
INTERESTING THOUGHT:
"A man may lose the good things of this life against his will;
but if he loses the eternal blessings, he does so with his own consent."
Augustine
--
Friday, July 3, 2009
ListenDaily - 03 July 2009: Doing everything right, but...
ListenDaily - 03 July 2009: Doing everything right, but...
As we press into the Book of Job, it would be helpful for you, though not necessary, to read a bit more than what I include here. I would recommend reading through chapter 1, today, and again over the weekend, maybe a few times
Job can be broken down into some specific sections, and I plan to go through these sections, highlighting certain elements. I do, however, believe very much in the old Jewish saying; "Man plans, God laughs." That being said, the plan is to follow the following outline, in some manner, not necessarily one day per section:
Prologue: 1: 1-5
1st test: 1: 6-22
2nd test: 2:1-10
Job speaking to his friends: 2:11 - 3:26
Eliphaz speaking, Job replying: 4-7
Bildad speaking, Job replying: 8-10
Zophar speaking, Job replying: 11-14
Eliphaz speaking, Job replying: 15-17
Bildad speaking, Job replying:18-19
Zophar speaking, Job replying: 20-21
Eliphaz speaking, Job replying: 22-24
Bildad speaking, Job replying: 25-31
The young man, Elihu speaking: 32-37
God speaking out of the storm, Job replying: 38-42:6
Epilogue: 42:7-17
In the land of Uz there lived a man whose name was Job. This man was blameless and upright; he feared God and shunned evil. He had seven sons and three daughters, and he owned seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred yoke of oxen and five hundred donkeys, and had a large number of servants. He was the greatest man among all the people of the East. His sons used to take turns holding feasts in their homes, and they would invite their three
sisters to eat and drink with them. When a period of feasting had run its course, Job would send and have them purified. Early in the morning he would sacrifice a burnt offering for each of them, thinking, "Perhaps my children have sinned and cursed God in their hearts." This was Job's regular custom.
Job 1:5 NIV (find any passage at www.Biblegateway.org)
Let us see what this prologue to the story of Job tells us about the man:
He was a good man -- "blameless and upright".
He was a Godly man -- "he feared God and shunned evil. "
He had a large family and was wealthy -- "he had seven sons and three daughters, and he owned seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred yoke of oxen and five hundred donkeys, and had a large number of servants. He was the greatest man among all the people of the East.
His children's behavior concerned him -- "his sons used to take turns holding feasts in their homes, and they would invite their three sisters to eat and drink with them.
He responded as the good and Godly man he was -- "when a period of feasting had run its course, Job would send
and have them purified. Early in the morning he would sacrifice a burnt offering for each of them, thinking, "Perhaps my children have sinned and cursed God in their hearts." This was Job's regular custom.
Scholars believe that Job lived at the same time as the Patriarchs, but had little if any contact with, or knowledge of them. He obviously knew God, however, and sought to be the Godly head of his household. I would like to point out two specific things about Job's character, of which we are given insight in these verses:
1) Being a good and Godly person does not provide escape from the ills of this world; as a matter of fact, it might place you more squarely in Satan's cross hairs.
2) Walking in the will of God does guarantee that He will be with you always, and that the end result will be that you see Him.
Amen.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. Have you ever read the Book of Job? 2. Do you have any notions about it? 3. Will you ask God to teach you through it, and pray that I will say what He wants me to say?
INTERESTING THOUGHTS:
"A man may lose the good things of this life against his will;
but if he loses the eternal blessings, he does so with his own consent."
Augustine
As we press into the Book of Job, it would be helpful for you, though not necessary, to read a bit more than what I include here. I would recommend reading through chapter 1, today, and again over the weekend, maybe a few times
Job can be broken down into some specific sections, and I plan to go through these sections, highlighting certain elements. I do, however, believe very much in the old Jewish saying; "Man plans, God laughs." That being said, the plan is to follow the following outline, in some manner, not necessarily one day per section:
Prologue: 1: 1-5
1st test: 1: 6-22
2nd test: 2:1-10
Job speaking to his friends: 2:11 - 3:26
Eliphaz speaking, Job replying: 4-7
Bildad speaking, Job replying: 8-10
Zophar speaking, Job replying: 11-14
Eliphaz speaking, Job replying: 15-17
Bildad speaking, Job replying:18-19
Zophar speaking, Job replying: 20-21
Eliphaz speaking, Job replying: 22-24
Bildad speaking, Job replying: 25-31
The young man, Elihu speaking: 32-37
God speaking out of the storm, Job replying: 38-42:6
Epilogue: 42:7-17
In the land of Uz there lived a man whose name was Job. This man was blameless and upright; he feared God and shunned evil. He had seven sons and three daughters, and he owned seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred yoke of oxen and five hundred donkeys, and had a large number of servants. He was the greatest man among all the people of the East. His sons used to take turns holding feasts in their homes, and they would invite their three
sisters to eat and drink with them. When a period of feasting had run its course, Job would send and have them purified. Early in the morning he would sacrifice a burnt offering for each of them, thinking, "Perhaps my children have sinned and cursed God in their hearts." This was Job's regular custom.
Job 1:5 NIV (find any passage at www.Biblegateway.org)
Let us see what this prologue to the story of Job tells us about the man:
He was a good man -- "blameless and upright".
He was a Godly man -- "he feared God and shunned evil. "
He had a large family and was wealthy -- "he had seven sons and three daughters, and he owned seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred yoke of oxen and five hundred donkeys, and had a large number of servants. He was the greatest man among all the people of the East.
His children's behavior concerned him -- "his sons used to take turns holding feasts in their homes, and they would invite their three sisters to eat and drink with them.
He responded as the good and Godly man he was -- "when a period of feasting had run its course, Job would send
and have them purified. Early in the morning he would sacrifice a burnt offering for each of them, thinking, "Perhaps my children have sinned and cursed God in their hearts." This was Job's regular custom.
Scholars believe that Job lived at the same time as the Patriarchs, but had little if any contact with, or knowledge of them. He obviously knew God, however, and sought to be the Godly head of his household. I would like to point out two specific things about Job's character, of which we are given insight in these verses:
1) Being a good and Godly person does not provide escape from the ills of this world; as a matter of fact, it might place you more squarely in Satan's cross hairs.
2) Walking in the will of God does guarantee that He will be with you always, and that the end result will be that you see Him.
Amen.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. Have you ever read the Book of Job? 2. Do you have any notions about it? 3. Will you ask God to teach you through it, and pray that I will say what He wants me to say?
INTERESTING THOUGHTS:
"A man may lose the good things of this life against his will;
but if he loses the eternal blessings, he does so with his own consent."
Augustine
Thursday, July 2, 2009
ListenDaily - 02 July 2009: Applying the oldest...
ListenDaily - 02 July 2009: Applying the oldest...
I asked the following question the other day:
"How has God blessed you lately?" And got the greatest response: When you are 71 years old, in the swimming pool with your 4 year old grandson, fightling the Ninja Turtle, and he hollers "Come save me, Princess"., you know God has blessed you. With much love, Evelyn
I also asked: "Is there a passage, an idea, or a question that you would like to investigate here in the ListenDaily?" To which my good friend Steve replied:
Jim, I wouldn't mind seeing an exploration of Job. I see a lot of philosophical uses for Job in today's world. I am sure that many people feel that what they are doing is right in spite of what we see in our everyday world. Let's face it, it can be tough to be a Christian in today's world. Steve K.
What a great idea! Now, Job is 42 chapters long, and so we won't be doing an in-depth word study. Instead, we will look at the major themes and, as Steve requested, how the lessons from Job can be applied to our lives in 2009. For example, if we all lived as Job is described in the very first verse, wouldn't our lives be so improved?
In the land of Uz there lived a man whose name was Job.
This man was blameless and upright; he feared God and shunned evil.
Job 1:1 NIV (find any passage at www.Biblegateway.org)
Indeed this is a good example for all of us, we should, indeed, be blameless, upright, fear God, and shun evil, but as we will learn from Job, this does not guarantee an easy life, ol' Job had it pretty rough for a while.
A little introduction:
Job is generally considered to be the first book of the Bible ever written.
It is believed, though undated, to have taken place in what would be the middle (give or take a chapter) of Genesis.
The author is unknown; Job, Moses, and Solomon have all been proposed.
It took place in Uz, northeast of Palestine.
In the layout of the Bible, it is considered the first of the Old Testament 'Books of Poetry', to include Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. Have you ever read the Book of Job? 2. Do you have any notions about it? 3. Will you ask God to teach you through it, and pray that I will say what He wants me to say?
INTERESTING THOUGHTS:
"The Bible is either absolute, or it's obsolete."
Leonard Ravenhill
The Word of God confronts us as our adversary
before he makes himself our Lord and Master.
Donald Bloesch
"The Holy Scriptures are our letters from home."
Augustine
"A man may lose the good things of this life against his will;
but if he loses the eternal blessings, he does so with his own consent."
Augustine
I asked the following question the other day:
"How has God blessed you lately?" And got the greatest response: When you are 71 years old, in the swimming pool with your 4 year old grandson, fightling the Ninja Turtle, and he hollers "Come save me, Princess"., you know God has blessed you. With much love, Evelyn
I also asked: "Is there a passage, an idea, or a question that you would like to investigate here in the ListenDaily?" To which my good friend Steve replied:
Jim, I wouldn't mind seeing an exploration of Job. I see a lot of philosophical uses for Job in today's world. I am sure that many people feel that what they are doing is right in spite of what we see in our everyday world. Let's face it, it can be tough to be a Christian in today's world. Steve K.
What a great idea! Now, Job is 42 chapters long, and so we won't be doing an in-depth word study. Instead, we will look at the major themes and, as Steve requested, how the lessons from Job can be applied to our lives in 2009. For example, if we all lived as Job is described in the very first verse, wouldn't our lives be so improved?
In the land of Uz there lived a man whose name was Job.
This man was blameless and upright; he feared God and shunned evil.
Job 1:1 NIV (find any passage at www.Biblegateway.org)
Indeed this is a good example for all of us, we should, indeed, be blameless, upright, fear God, and shun evil, but as we will learn from Job, this does not guarantee an easy life, ol' Job had it pretty rough for a while.
A little introduction:
Job is generally considered to be the first book of the Bible ever written.
It is believed, though undated, to have taken place in what would be the middle (give or take a chapter) of Genesis.
The author is unknown; Job, Moses, and Solomon have all been proposed.
It took place in Uz, northeast of Palestine.
In the layout of the Bible, it is considered the first of the Old Testament 'Books of Poetry', to include Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. Have you ever read the Book of Job? 2. Do you have any notions about it? 3. Will you ask God to teach you through it, and pray that I will say what He wants me to say?
INTERESTING THOUGHTS:
"The Bible is either absolute, or it's obsolete."
Leonard Ravenhill
The Word of God confronts us as our adversary
before he makes himself our Lord and Master.
Donald Bloesch
"The Holy Scriptures are our letters from home."
Augustine
"A man may lose the good things of this life against his will;
but if he loses the eternal blessings, he does so with his own consent."
Augustine
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
ListenDaily - 30 June 2009: Whew!
ListenDaily - 30 June 2009: Whew!
"I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings."
1 Corinthians 9:23 NIV (find any passage at www.Biblegateway.org)
What a two weeks I have had! For those of you who do not know, I spent the week of June 13th - 19th in Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Mexico, with six other adults and eleven youth from our church. I returned to our annual Vacation Bible School, over 200 kids screaming, laughing, learning, and praising God. And I got to teach them how to share their faith with others.
My cup is spilling over!
Both the mission trip and VBS required a lot of planning, hard work, and long hours, for many, many people. Why do we do this? "I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings."
I have truly been blessed.
Now that I have shared that...what is on your mind? Is there a passage, an idea, or a question that you would like to investigate here in the ListenDaily?
I eagerly wait for your response!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. How has God blessed you lately? 2. Do you easily recognize His blessing? 3. What Scripture/theology/God-related question is on your mind?
INTERESTING THOUGHTS:
"A man may lose the good things of this life against his will;
but if he loses the eternal blessings, he does so with his own consent."
Augustine
"I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings."
1 Corinthians 9:23 NIV (find any passage at www.Biblegateway.org)
What a two weeks I have had! For those of you who do not know, I spent the week of June 13th - 19th in Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Mexico, with six other adults and eleven youth from our church. I returned to our annual Vacation Bible School, over 200 kids screaming, laughing, learning, and praising God. And I got to teach them how to share their faith with others.
My cup is spilling over!
Both the mission trip and VBS required a lot of planning, hard work, and long hours, for many, many people. Why do we do this? "I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings."
I have truly been blessed.
Now that I have shared that...what is on your mind? Is there a passage, an idea, or a question that you would like to investigate here in the ListenDaily?
I eagerly wait for your response!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. How has God blessed you lately? 2. Do you easily recognize His blessing? 3. What Scripture/theology/God-related question is on your mind?
INTERESTING THOUGHTS:
"A man may lose the good things of this life against his will;
but if he loses the eternal blessings, he does so with his own consent."
Augustine
Friday, June 12, 2009
ListenDaily - 12 June 2009: Matamoros, part 5: Making
ListenDaily - 12 June 2009: Matamoros, part 5: Making
"Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Matthew 28:16-20 NIV (find any passage at www.Biblegateway.org)
Tomorrow morning, I will be leaving Delaware, along with a group of youth and adults from my church, for a week of serving Christ in Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Mexico., the first of two trips this summer. The second is to Goldsboro, North Carolina. The Matamoros trip is planned for the 13 - 19 of June. During that time, may I ask you to pray for the following?
For our safety
For each of us to grow in Christ
For His Name to be glorified and His Kingdom expanded
In preparation, I thought the "Great Commission" passage was an appropriate one to study.
"Therefore go and make disciples..."
"...make disciples..."
I made a cake.
Did you ever make a cake?
I have made cakes from mixes, and from scratch. But even from scratch, I did not milk the cow or grind the wheat. From scratch or from a box, I brought ingredients together, followed the tried and true instructions for mixing them, and when to stop mixing and put the new combination into the oven. The instructions told me how approximately how long to bake it, signs to look for that it had baked long enough, andhow long to leave it alone when I removed it from the heat.
Did you ever make a disciple?
Remember, Jesus said “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed." (from John 8)
So how do we "make disciples"?
Ingredients:
The Word of God, a person, yourself
Instructions:
Take yourself and person, mix well (relationship), add ever-increasing amounts of the Word of God ("teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you")
Place mixture into the Hands of God. "I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God can make things grow." (from 1 Corinthians 3)
Never remove, and don't let it cool.
Jesus has given you a commandment, and His authority...
"Therefore go and make disciples..."!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. Will you pray for our mission trip? 2. What do you think of this perspective? 3. Are you involved in any disciple-making?
INTERESTING THOUGHTS:
It will not do to say that you have no special call to go to China.
With these facts before you and with the command of the Lord
Jesus to go and preach the gospel to every creature, you need
rather to ascertain whether you have a special call to stay at home.
Hudson Taylor
"Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Matthew 28:16-20 NIV (find any passage at www.Biblegateway.org)
Tomorrow morning, I will be leaving Delaware, along with a group of youth and adults from my church, for a week of serving Christ in Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Mexico., the first of two trips this summer. The second is to Goldsboro, North Carolina. The Matamoros trip is planned for the 13 - 19 of June. During that time, may I ask you to pray for the following?
For our safety
For each of us to grow in Christ
For His Name to be glorified and His Kingdom expanded
In preparation, I thought the "Great Commission" passage was an appropriate one to study.
"Therefore go and make disciples..."
"...make disciples..."
I made a cake.
Did you ever make a cake?
I have made cakes from mixes, and from scratch. But even from scratch, I did not milk the cow or grind the wheat. From scratch or from a box, I brought ingredients together, followed the tried and true instructions for mixing them, and when to stop mixing and put the new combination into the oven. The instructions told me how approximately how long to bake it, signs to look for that it had baked long enough, andhow long to leave it alone when I removed it from the heat.
Did you ever make a disciple?
Remember, Jesus said “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed." (from John 8)
So how do we "make disciples"?
Ingredients:
The Word of God, a person, yourself
Instructions:
Take yourself and person, mix well (relationship), add ever-increasing amounts of the Word of God ("teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you")
Place mixture into the Hands of God. "I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God can make things grow." (from 1 Corinthians 3)
Never remove, and don't let it cool.
Jesus has given you a commandment, and His authority...
"Therefore go and make disciples..."!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. Will you pray for our mission trip? 2. What do you think of this perspective? 3. Are you involved in any disciple-making?
INTERESTING THOUGHTS:
It will not do to say that you have no special call to go to China.
With these facts before you and with the command of the Lord
Jesus to go and preach the gospel to every creature, you need
rather to ascertain whether you have a special call to stay at home.
Hudson Taylor
Thursday, June 11, 2009
ListenDaily - 11 June 2009: Matamoros, part 4: Therefore...go!
ListenDaily - 11 June 2009: Matamoros, part 4: Therefore...go!
"Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Matthew 28:16-20 NIV (find any passage at www.Biblegateway.org)
Early this Saturday morning, I will be leaving Delaware, along with a group of youth and adults from my church, for a week of serving Christ in Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Mexico., the first of two trips this summer. The second is to Goldsboro, North Carolina. The Matamoros trip is planned for the 13 - 19 of June. During that time, may I ask you to pray for the following?
For our safety
For each of us to grow in Christ
For His Name to be glorified and His Kingdom expanded
In preparation, I thought the "Great Commission" passage was an appropriate one to study.
"Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go..."
"Therefore go..."
Go.
Go.
Go.
Go to Mexico for a week, like we are. Go to a Muslim Middle Eastern country to live for a few years, like friends of ours. Go to Africa or China and stay for the rest of your lives, like many missionaries have before.
Go across the street.
Go home.
Go where God is calling you -- but know, know, that He is indeed calling to to go somewhere...indeed He has commanded you, to go.
Therefore go!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. Will you pray for our mission trip? 2. Have you heard God's call? 3. What will you do to hear it?
INTERESTING THOUGHTS:
It will not do to say that you have no special call to go to China.
With these facts before you and with the command of the Lord
Jesus to go and preach the gospel to every creature, you need
rather to ascertain whether you have a special call to stay at home.
Hudson Taylor
"Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Matthew 28:16-20 NIV (find any passage at www.Biblegateway.org)
Early this Saturday morning, I will be leaving Delaware, along with a group of youth and adults from my church, for a week of serving Christ in Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Mexico., the first of two trips this summer. The second is to Goldsboro, North Carolina. The Matamoros trip is planned for the 13 - 19 of June. During that time, may I ask you to pray for the following?
For our safety
For each of us to grow in Christ
For His Name to be glorified and His Kingdom expanded
In preparation, I thought the "Great Commission" passage was an appropriate one to study.
"Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go..."
"Therefore go..."
Go.
Go.
Go.
Go to Mexico for a week, like we are. Go to a Muslim Middle Eastern country to live for a few years, like friends of ours. Go to Africa or China and stay for the rest of your lives, like many missionaries have before.
Go across the street.
Go home.
Go where God is calling you -- but know, know, that He is indeed calling to to go somewhere...indeed He has commanded you, to go.
Therefore go!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. Will you pray for our mission trip? 2. Have you heard God's call? 3. What will you do to hear it?
INTERESTING THOUGHTS:
It will not do to say that you have no special call to go to China.
With these facts before you and with the command of the Lord
Jesus to go and preach the gospel to every creature, you need
rather to ascertain whether you have a special call to stay at home.
Hudson Taylor
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
ListenDaily - 10 June 2009: Matamoros, part 3: Therefore
ListenDaily - 10 June 2009: Matamoros, part 3: Therefore
"Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Matthew 28:16-20 NIV (find any passage at www.Biblegateway.org)
Good morning friends! Early this Saturday morning, I will be leaving Delaware, along with a group of youth and adults from my church, for a week of serving Christ in Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Mexico., the first of two trips this summer. The second is to Goldsboro, North Carolina. The Matamoros trip is planned for the 13 - 19 of June. During that time, may I ask you to pray for the following?
For our safety
For each of us to grow in Christ
For His Name to be glorified and His Kingdom expanded
In preparation, I thought the "Great Commission" passage was an appropriate one to study.
"Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore..."
"Therefore..."
According to the dictionary, 'therefore' means; "for that reason" or, "consequently or, "because of that" or, "on that ground". So then, everything (in this passage) that Jesus says after "therefore", stands on what He said just before. So the going, the discipling, the baptizing, the teaching, and the promise of His presence rely on what He said just before "therefore".
"All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me."
You know, in human terms, we have to be careful using absolutes. When we talk about 'everything', 'always', and the like, we are often using hyperbole to make a point. But not Jesus. He did not mean 'a little authority', or 'some authority', no, He said exactly what He meant. "All authority..."
"All authority in heaven and on earth..."
So the going, the discipling, the baptizing, the teaching, have nothing to do with our authority or our ability, but that we submit to Jesus and His authority. Then we speak in and with His authority. You remember the old movie scenes, don't you? Where the policeman chases the bad guy and shouts 'STOP! IN THE NAME OF THE LAW!!!" The policeman was not the law. He did not make the law. He did not write the law. But because of his chosen path in life, he represented the law, and was allowed to do whatever the law called him to do, under the authority of the law.
And, church, so it is with us. We are not authority, we do not make authority, and we have no authority in and of ourselves. But we represent "all authority in heaven and on earth" and we can speak with that authority, and we can act with that authority. To do less is to do less than He has commanded us to do. For "all authority in heaven and on earth" has been given to Jesus.
Therefore...go!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions to ask yourself:
1. Will you pray for our mission trip? 2. Have you ever experienced being under the authority of Christ? 3. How about acting and/or speaking under His authority?
INTERESTING THOUGHTS:
"Unless I am convicted by Scripture and plain reason---I do not accept the authority of popes and councils,
for they have contradicted each other---my conscience is captive to the Word of God.
I cannot and will not recant anything, for to go against conscience is neither right nor safe.
Here I stand, I cannot do otherwise. God help me. Amen."
Martin Luther
"The authority by which the Christian leader leads is not power but love, not force but example,
not coercion but reasoned persuasion. Leaders have power,
but power is safe only in the hands of those who humble themselves to serve."
John Stott
"Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Matthew 28:16-20 NIV (find any passage at www.Biblegateway.org)
Good morning friends! Early this Saturday morning, I will be leaving Delaware, along with a group of youth and adults from my church, for a week of serving Christ in Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Mexico., the first of two trips this summer. The second is to Goldsboro, North Carolina. The Matamoros trip is planned for the 13 - 19 of June. During that time, may I ask you to pray for the following?
For our safety
For each of us to grow in Christ
For His Name to be glorified and His Kingdom expanded
In preparation, I thought the "Great Commission" passage was an appropriate one to study.
"Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore..."
"Therefore..."
According to the dictionary, 'therefore' means; "for that reason" or, "consequently or, "because of that" or, "on that ground". So then, everything (in this passage) that Jesus says after "therefore", stands on what He said just before. So the going, the discipling, the baptizing, the teaching, and the promise of His presence rely on what He said just before "therefore".
"All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me."
You know, in human terms, we have to be careful using absolutes. When we talk about 'everything', 'always', and the like, we are often using hyperbole to make a point. But not Jesus. He did not mean 'a little authority', or 'some authority', no, He said exactly what He meant. "All authority..."
"All authority in heaven and on earth..."
So the going, the discipling, the baptizing, the teaching, have nothing to do with our authority or our ability, but that we submit to Jesus and His authority. Then we speak in and with His authority. You remember the old movie scenes, don't you? Where the policeman chases the bad guy and shouts 'STOP! IN THE NAME OF THE LAW!!!" The policeman was not the law. He did not make the law. He did not write the law. But because of his chosen path in life, he represented the law, and was allowed to do whatever the law called him to do, under the authority of the law.
And, church, so it is with us. We are not authority, we do not make authority, and we have no authority in and of ourselves. But we represent "all authority in heaven and on earth" and we can speak with that authority, and we can act with that authority. To do less is to do less than He has commanded us to do. For "all authority in heaven and on earth" has been given to Jesus.
Therefore...go!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions to ask yourself:
1. Will you pray for our mission trip? 2. Have you ever experienced being under the authority of Christ? 3. How about acting and/or speaking under His authority?
INTERESTING THOUGHTS:
"Unless I am convicted by Scripture and plain reason---I do not accept the authority of popes and councils,
for they have contradicted each other---my conscience is captive to the Word of God.
I cannot and will not recant anything, for to go against conscience is neither right nor safe.
Here I stand, I cannot do otherwise. God help me. Amen."
Martin Luther
"The authority by which the Christian leader leads is not power but love, not force but example,
not coercion but reasoned persuasion. Leaders have power,
but power is safe only in the hands of those who humble themselves to serve."
John Stott
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
ListenDaily - 09 June 2009: Matamoros, part 2: Jesus will close the gap
ListenDaily - 09 June 2009: Matamoros, part 2: Jesus will close the gap
"Then Jesus came to them..."
"Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Matthew 28:16-20 NIV (find any passage at www.Biblegateway.org)
Good morning friends! Early this Saturday morning, I will be leaving Delaware, along with a group of youth and adults from my church, for a week of serving Christ in Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Mexico., the first of two trips this summer. The second is to Goldsboro, North Carolina. The Matamoros trip is planned for the 13 - 19 of June. During that time, may I ask you to pray for the following?
For our safety
For each of us to grow in Christ
For His Name to be glorified and His Kingdom expanded
In preparation, I thought the "Great Commission" passage was an appropriate one to study.
"Then Jesus came to them..."
I praise God for His patience, and His continual teaching. I have read this passage countless times, but until yesterday, I had never paid much attention to the phrase "some doubted". Today, this phrase, "then Jesus came to them" jumped off the page.
The eleven remaining disciples were obedient, they followed the steps to Jesus. They "...went to Galilee, to the mountain...they saw Him...they worshiped him..."
"...then Jesus came to them..."
Now I have to ask, does that strike you like it did me? The went to Galilee, climbed the mountain, saw Jesus, and worshipped Him...but stopped short of going to Him! This astounds me. They went all that way, did all that work, recognized Him for who He was, but stopped short of going to Him. I was amazed at this! How could they get so close to Jesus then stop short?
My amazement soon vanished. You see, I'm guilty of the same thing, and have often been. I have gone to church, or some other place to see Him. I have made the effort. I have recognized His presence and worshipped Him.
And I have stopped short of going all the way to Him.
Maybe you have experienced something similar. But I have good news! If we make it that far, if we come seeking Him, He will do for us what He did for the Eleven. "Jesus came to them..."
And He will come to you, if you will let Him.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions to ask yourself:
1. Will you pray for our mission trip? 2. Have you ever left a time of worship and felt like you were so close to Jesus, but left without Him? 3. Have you offered your doubts to Jesus?
INTERESTING THOUGHTS:
"You wonder why people choose fields away from the States when young people
at home are drifting because no one wants to take time to listen to their problems.
Ill tell you why I left. Because those Stateside young people have every opportunity to study,
hear, and understand the Word of God in their own language, and these Indians have no opportunity whatsoever.
I have had to make a cross of two logs, and lie down on it, to show the Indians what it means to crucify a man.
When there is that much ignorance over here and so much knowledge and opportunity over there,
I have no question in my mind why God sent me here.
Those whimpering Stateside young people will wake up on the Day of Judgment
condemned to worse fates than these demon-fearing Indians, because, having a Bible,
they were bored with it---while these never heard of such a thing as writing."
Jim Elliot
"Then Jesus came to them..."
"Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Matthew 28:16-20 NIV (find any passage at www.Biblegateway.org)
Good morning friends! Early this Saturday morning, I will be leaving Delaware, along with a group of youth and adults from my church, for a week of serving Christ in Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Mexico., the first of two trips this summer. The second is to Goldsboro, North Carolina. The Matamoros trip is planned for the 13 - 19 of June. During that time, may I ask you to pray for the following?
For our safety
For each of us to grow in Christ
For His Name to be glorified and His Kingdom expanded
In preparation, I thought the "Great Commission" passage was an appropriate one to study.
"Then Jesus came to them..."
I praise God for His patience, and His continual teaching. I have read this passage countless times, but until yesterday, I had never paid much attention to the phrase "some doubted". Today, this phrase, "then Jesus came to them" jumped off the page.
The eleven remaining disciples were obedient, they followed the steps to Jesus. They "...went to Galilee, to the mountain...they saw Him...they worshiped him..."
"...then Jesus came to them..."
Now I have to ask, does that strike you like it did me? The went to Galilee, climbed the mountain, saw Jesus, and worshipped Him...but stopped short of going to Him! This astounds me. They went all that way, did all that work, recognized Him for who He was, but stopped short of going to Him. I was amazed at this! How could they get so close to Jesus then stop short?
My amazement soon vanished. You see, I'm guilty of the same thing, and have often been. I have gone to church, or some other place to see Him. I have made the effort. I have recognized His presence and worshipped Him.
And I have stopped short of going all the way to Him.
Maybe you have experienced something similar. But I have good news! If we make it that far, if we come seeking Him, He will do for us what He did for the Eleven. "Jesus came to them..."
And He will come to you, if you will let Him.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions to ask yourself:
1. Will you pray for our mission trip? 2. Have you ever left a time of worship and felt like you were so close to Jesus, but left without Him? 3. Have you offered your doubts to Jesus?
INTERESTING THOUGHTS:
"You wonder why people choose fields away from the States when young people
at home are drifting because no one wants to take time to listen to their problems.
Ill tell you why I left. Because those Stateside young people have every opportunity to study,
hear, and understand the Word of God in their own language, and these Indians have no opportunity whatsoever.
I have had to make a cross of two logs, and lie down on it, to show the Indians what it means to crucify a man.
When there is that much ignorance over here and so much knowledge and opportunity over there,
I have no question in my mind why God sent me here.
Those whimpering Stateside young people will wake up on the Day of Judgment
condemned to worse fates than these demon-fearing Indians, because, having a Bible,
they were bored with it---while these never heard of such a thing as writing."
Jim Elliot
Monday, June 8, 2009
ListenDaily - 08 June 2009: Matamoros
ListenDaily - 08 June 2009: Matamoros
Good morning friends! Early this Saturday morning, I will be leaving Delaware, along with a group of youth and adults from my church, for a week of serving Christ in Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Mexico., the first of two trips this summer. The second is to Goldsboro, North Carolina. The Matamoros trip is planned for the 13 - 19 of June. During that time, may I ask you to pray for the following?
For our safety
For each of us to grow in Christ
For His Name to be glorified and His Kingdom expanded
In preparation, I thought the "Great Commission" passage was an appropriate one to study.
"Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Matthew 28:16-20 NIV (find any passage at www.Biblegateway.org)
"Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted."
This passage describes the time after Jesus had risen and just before His ascension. He had addressed the eleven remaining apostles (remember, Judas was gone) and told them to meet Him here. The obeyed, they came, they saw Jesus, worshipped Him -- "but some doubted."
Exactly what did they doubt? After all they had experienced with Him, could they possibly have doubted who Jesus was? Or was it their own ability to carry on that they doubted? Or were they doubting that there would still be a presence of God with them, if Jesus was leaving?
I don't know. It could be any or all of those, all three, or something else. Whatever it was, "some doubted."
Our church has raised money and supported our missions team in many ways. We have met as a team, prayed together, worshipped together. We have been prayed for. We have studied the Word. Now, it is time to go. I wonder, if some doubt. I mean, if the Eleven, who walked side by side with Jesus, who saw Him perform miracles, who saw Him alive after being dead, if some of them doubted -- do we not have the same potential? And not just mission trip teams, but churches as a whole -- do we not suffer from doubt? Might we doubt who Jesus was? Our ability to carry? If we have the presence of God with us?
What can we do about that doubt? After all, we live twenty centuries later that those who saw Him.
Give it to Him. Give Jesus your doubt. He is still here to take it. When some of the Eleven doubted, Jesus comforted them, "...surely I am with you..."
He added these words, knowing we would have doubts as well: "...surely I am with you always..."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions to ask yourself:
1. Will you pray for our mission trip? 2. Do you have concerns about your own doubts? 3. Have you offered your doubts to Jesus?
INTERESTING THOUGHTS:
"You wonder why people choose fields away from the States when young people
at home are drifting because no one wants to take time to listen to their problems.
Ill tell you why I left. Because those Stateside young people have every opportunity to study,
hear, and understand the Word of God in their own language, and these Indians have no opportunity whatsoever.
I have had to make a cross of two logs, and lie down on it, to show the Indians what it means to crucify a man.
When there is that much ignorance over here and so much knowledge and opportunity over there, I have no question in my mind why God sent me here.
Those whimpering Stateside young people will wake up on the Day of Judgment
condemned to worse fates than these demon-fearing Indians, because, having a Bible,
they were bored with it---while these never heard of such a thing as writing."
Jim Elliot
Good morning friends! Early this Saturday morning, I will be leaving Delaware, along with a group of youth and adults from my church, for a week of serving Christ in Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Mexico., the first of two trips this summer. The second is to Goldsboro, North Carolina. The Matamoros trip is planned for the 13 - 19 of June. During that time, may I ask you to pray for the following?
For our safety
For each of us to grow in Christ
For His Name to be glorified and His Kingdom expanded
In preparation, I thought the "Great Commission" passage was an appropriate one to study.
"Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Matthew 28:16-20 NIV (find any passage at www.Biblegateway.org)
"Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted."
This passage describes the time after Jesus had risen and just before His ascension. He had addressed the eleven remaining apostles (remember, Judas was gone) and told them to meet Him here. The obeyed, they came, they saw Jesus, worshipped Him -- "but some doubted."
Exactly what did they doubt? After all they had experienced with Him, could they possibly have doubted who Jesus was? Or was it their own ability to carry on that they doubted? Or were they doubting that there would still be a presence of God with them, if Jesus was leaving?
I don't know. It could be any or all of those, all three, or something else. Whatever it was, "some doubted."
Our church has raised money and supported our missions team in many ways. We have met as a team, prayed together, worshipped together. We have been prayed for. We have studied the Word. Now, it is time to go. I wonder, if some doubt. I mean, if the Eleven, who walked side by side with Jesus, who saw Him perform miracles, who saw Him alive after being dead, if some of them doubted -- do we not have the same potential? And not just mission trip teams, but churches as a whole -- do we not suffer from doubt? Might we doubt who Jesus was? Our ability to carry? If we have the presence of God with us?
What can we do about that doubt? After all, we live twenty centuries later that those who saw Him.
Give it to Him. Give Jesus your doubt. He is still here to take it. When some of the Eleven doubted, Jesus comforted them, "...surely I am with you..."
He added these words, knowing we would have doubts as well: "...surely I am with you always..."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions to ask yourself:
1. Will you pray for our mission trip? 2. Do you have concerns about your own doubts? 3. Have you offered your doubts to Jesus?
INTERESTING THOUGHTS:
"You wonder why people choose fields away from the States when young people
at home are drifting because no one wants to take time to listen to their problems.
Ill tell you why I left. Because those Stateside young people have every opportunity to study,
hear, and understand the Word of God in their own language, and these Indians have no opportunity whatsoever.
I have had to make a cross of two logs, and lie down on it, to show the Indians what it means to crucify a man.
When there is that much ignorance over here and so much knowledge and opportunity over there, I have no question in my mind why God sent me here.
Those whimpering Stateside young people will wake up on the Day of Judgment
condemned to worse fates than these demon-fearing Indians, because, having a Bible,
they were bored with it---while these never heard of such a thing as writing."
Jim Elliot
Friday, June 5, 2009
ListenDaily - 05 June 2009: Much?
ListenDaily - 05 June 2009: Much?
“I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples. John 15:1-8 NKJV (find any passage at www.Biblegateway.org)
"He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit..."
I have a few questions that I will spend the weekend asking myself, and will ask you to do the same.
Am I producing "much fruit"?
What does "much fruit" even look like"?
What is the fruit?
Remembering that Paul taught in his letter to the Galatians that the fruit of the Spirit is "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control." I am not saying this is the full extent of what Jesus meant, but it is a Scripturally consistent place to start.
It's also important to remember that fruit grows, it does not just pop out. It matures. It ripens. It is usable. It reproduces.
Let us spend a few days searching our hearts, looking at our lives, and trying to determine if we are abiding in the Vine. If we are, we should see fruit.
Much fruit.
Abide.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions to ask yourself:
1.Am I producing "much fruit"? 2. What does "much fruit" even look like"? 3.What is the fruit?
INTERESTING THOUGHTS:
"Anyone can tell how many seeds are in an apple;
no one knows how many apples are in a seed."
Unknown
“I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples. John 15:1-8 NKJV (find any passage at www.Biblegateway.org)
"He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit..."
I have a few questions that I will spend the weekend asking myself, and will ask you to do the same.
Am I producing "much fruit"?
What does "much fruit" even look like"?
What is the fruit?
Remembering that Paul taught in his letter to the Galatians that the fruit of the Spirit is "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control." I am not saying this is the full extent of what Jesus meant, but it is a Scripturally consistent place to start.
It's also important to remember that fruit grows, it does not just pop out. It matures. It ripens. It is usable. It reproduces.
Let us spend a few days searching our hearts, looking at our lives, and trying to determine if we are abiding in the Vine. If we are, we should see fruit.
Much fruit.
Abide.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions to ask yourself:
1.Am I producing "much fruit"? 2. What does "much fruit" even look like"? 3.What is the fruit?
INTERESTING THOUGHTS:
"Anyone can tell how many seeds are in an apple;
no one knows how many apples are in a seed."
Unknown
Thursday, June 4, 2009
ListenDaily - 04 June 2009: Is there fruit?
ListenDaily - 04 June 2009: Is there fruit?
“I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples. John 15:1-8 NKJV (find any passage at www.Biblegateway.org)
"He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing."
How does this verse strike you? Is it comforting? Challenging? Frightening?
It could be any of the three, depending upon the person reading it. Hear Jesus saying this: "He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing." Now, hear Him saying it as if He were speaking directly to you: "If you abide in Me, and I in you, you will bear much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing."
Let's keep breaking it down, listening more closely, taking it more personally, each time. "If you abide in Me, and I in you, you will bear much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing." Now, if Jesus says we must abide in order to bear fruit, and in order to do something -- then the reverse must be true.
"If you do not abide in Me, and I in you, you will not bear much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing."
Abiding = bearing lots of fruit = doing something.
Not abiding = bearing little or no fruit = doing nothing.
So then, is this, for us, comforting? Challenging? Frightening? To answer we must ask and answer ourselves; are we seeing fruit?
Abide.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. How does this perspective strike you? 2. Do you see fruit in your life? 3. How do you abide?
INTERESTING THOUGHTS:
"Anyone can tell how many seeds are in an apple;
no one knows how many apples are in a seed."
Unknown
“I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples. John 15:1-8 NKJV (find any passage at www.Biblegateway.org)
"He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing."
How does this verse strike you? Is it comforting? Challenging? Frightening?
It could be any of the three, depending upon the person reading it. Hear Jesus saying this: "He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing." Now, hear Him saying it as if He were speaking directly to you: "If you abide in Me, and I in you, you will bear much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing."
Let's keep breaking it down, listening more closely, taking it more personally, each time. "If you abide in Me, and I in you, you will bear much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing." Now, if Jesus says we must abide in order to bear fruit, and in order to do something -- then the reverse must be true.
"If you do not abide in Me, and I in you, you will not bear much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing."
Abiding = bearing lots of fruit = doing something.
Not abiding = bearing little or no fruit = doing nothing.
So then, is this, for us, comforting? Challenging? Frightening? To answer we must ask and answer ourselves; are we seeing fruit?
Abide.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. How does this perspective strike you? 2. Do you see fruit in your life? 3. How do you abide?
INTERESTING THOUGHTS:
"Anyone can tell how many seeds are in an apple;
no one knows how many apples are in a seed."
Unknown
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
ListenDaily - 03 June 2009: New roots
ListenDaily - 03 June 2009: New roots
“I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples. John 15:1-8 NKJV (find any passage at www.Biblegateway.org)
"I am the vine, you are the branches."
These are some of the most amazing words ever spoken --
God, the Vinedresser, planted Jesus, the Vine on Earth. No one on their own was good enough to grow from Him, and we are born rooted into this world, incapable of bearing good fruit.
But Jesus began to grow.
And, as the many before us, we are born again, now abiding in Him, our new beings are offshoots of the Vine.
Abide.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. How does this perspective strike you? 2. How does it feel to be born into the Vine? 3. How do you abide?
INTERESTING THOUGHTS:
"Anyone can tell how many seeds are in an apple;
no one knows how many apples are in a seed."
Unknown
“I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples. John 15:1-8 NKJV (find any passage at www.Biblegateway.org)
"I am the vine, you are the branches."
These are some of the most amazing words ever spoken --
God, the Vinedresser, planted Jesus, the Vine on Earth. No one on their own was good enough to grow from Him, and we are born rooted into this world, incapable of bearing good fruit.
But Jesus began to grow.
And, as the many before us, we are born again, now abiding in Him, our new beings are offshoots of the Vine.
Abide.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. How does this perspective strike you? 2. How does it feel to be born into the Vine? 3. How do you abide?
INTERESTING THOUGHTS:
"Anyone can tell how many seeds are in an apple;
no one knows how many apples are in a seed."
Unknown
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
ListenDaily - 02 June 2009: An unending buffet...
ListenDaily - 02 June 2009: An unending buffet...
“I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples. John 15:1-8 NKJV (find any passage at www.Biblegateway.org)
"Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me."
"Abide in Me..." Jesus says it again -- and we should hear it again. We should hear it more seriously, more deeply. When Jesus speaks, we should allow His words to penetrate us. After all, as He said in the verses just prior, it is His Word which cleanses us.
"...and I in you..." We teach our children about Jesus 'coming into our hearts' -- but do we hear this? Jesus lived, died, and rose again, so that He could abide in you!
"As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me." OK, so let's talk about fruit. Paul wrote in Galatians 5 that the fruit of the Spirit is: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Jesus did not specify these things, but surely they apply. So among other fruit that we may be missing out on, we cannot truly love without abiding in Him, and He is us. If we are not abiding, we cannot know persistent, recreating joy. Our peace will not last or reproduce. Our patience will will be tried until it breaks. We can only be so kind, only so good. Our faith will not grow. Our gentleness will fade with our limited patience. And we will not know complete self-control.
But if we abide...if we abide...these things grow as fruit grows! In his letter to the Corinthians, Paul wrote that the gifts of the Spirit are meted out to different people, at different times, in differing circumstances. But the fruit is available to all! And when you take all of a piece of fruit, when you enjoy all the goodness, all the sweetness, all the nutrition -- look in your hand and see what is left -- the seed -- a seed to be planted so that an unknown amount of that fruit can be reproduced -- and an unknown number of others can receive it. If we would only...
...abide.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. How does this perspective strike you? 2. Do you see this fruit? 3. How do you abide?
INTERESTING THOUGHTS:
"Anyone can tell how many seeds are in an apple;
no one knows how many apples are in a seed."
Unknown
“I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples. John 15:1-8 NKJV (find any passage at www.Biblegateway.org)
"Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me."
"Abide in Me..." Jesus says it again -- and we should hear it again. We should hear it more seriously, more deeply. When Jesus speaks, we should allow His words to penetrate us. After all, as He said in the verses just prior, it is His Word which cleanses us.
"...and I in you..." We teach our children about Jesus 'coming into our hearts' -- but do we hear this? Jesus lived, died, and rose again, so that He could abide in you!
"As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me." OK, so let's talk about fruit. Paul wrote in Galatians 5 that the fruit of the Spirit is: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Jesus did not specify these things, but surely they apply. So among other fruit that we may be missing out on, we cannot truly love without abiding in Him, and He is us. If we are not abiding, we cannot know persistent, recreating joy. Our peace will not last or reproduce. Our patience will will be tried until it breaks. We can only be so kind, only so good. Our faith will not grow. Our gentleness will fade with our limited patience. And we will not know complete self-control.
But if we abide...if we abide...these things grow as fruit grows! In his letter to the Corinthians, Paul wrote that the gifts of the Spirit are meted out to different people, at different times, in differing circumstances. But the fruit is available to all! And when you take all of a piece of fruit, when you enjoy all the goodness, all the sweetness, all the nutrition -- look in your hand and see what is left -- the seed -- a seed to be planted so that an unknown amount of that fruit can be reproduced -- and an unknown number of others can receive it. If we would only...
...abide.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. How does this perspective strike you? 2. Do you see this fruit? 3. How do you abide?
INTERESTING THOUGHTS:
"Anyone can tell how many seeds are in an apple;
no one knows how many apples are in a seed."
Unknown
Monday, June 1, 2009
ListenDaily - 01 June 2009: Cut away or lifted up?
ListenDaily - 01 June 2009: Cut away or lifted up?
“I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples. John 15:1-8 NKJV (find any passage at www.Biblegateway.org)
“Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away..." I was at a graduation party for one of my daughter's friends this past Saturday. Being late May in Delaware, the conversation soon turned to local produce, specifically who would be picking their first tomato before the first of June rolled around, then to secrets for growing healthy plants. My good friend Bob explained that he clipped the branches from his tomato plants that had no blossoms, had no fruit. He explained that, besides not bearing tomatoes, these branches took nutrients away from the fruit-bearing ones, and that the overall plant would be healthier without them.
This is how John 15:2 has often been translated; that God clips away those of us that do not bear fruit.
There is another perspective which bears hearing out. The above type of pruning is horticulturally sound, and it may be an appropriate metaphor when looking at the world population as a whole in relation to Christ, for He often spoke of trees not planed by God, or trees that do not bear fruit, being destroyed.
But Jesus refers here to the branches that are "in Him", and He says that every branch that abides in Him "bears much fruit".
So then, what does this mean?
Different translations say "prune", "cut away", "remove", etc. The original Greek word is "kathairo," and means "to cleanse." Pruning is more that cutting away, it is also to clean, to cleanse. It was the practice of those that tended to grapevines to watch closely for those vines which 'got away'. Those vines, would get down in the dust, or mud, and choke -- become unable to bear fruit. The vinedresser would gently lift up those vines, a little at a time, and dust them off or rinse them, then carefully place them with the other vines on the trellis. There, out of the muck and mire, they could receive the water, the air, and the sunlight; there, they would soon begin to produce.
In the next verse; "You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you", the Greek word translated "cleanse" is "katharos," which is like "kathairo," and means "to free from impurities."
Jesus lifts us up out of the muck and mire (Psalm 40 anyone?). There we can receive the water, the air, the Light. There we can bear fruit, as we...
...abide.
Abide.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. How does this perspective strike you? 2. How about this type of pruning? 3. How do you abide?
INTERESTING THOUGHTS:
"We make men without chests and expect of them virtue and enterprise.
We laugh at honor and are shocked to find traitors in our midst.
We castrate and bid the geldings be fruitful
C.S. Lewis
“I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples. John 15:1-8 NKJV (find any passage at www.Biblegateway.org)
“Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away..." I was at a graduation party for one of my daughter's friends this past Saturday. Being late May in Delaware, the conversation soon turned to local produce, specifically who would be picking their first tomato before the first of June rolled around, then to secrets for growing healthy plants. My good friend Bob explained that he clipped the branches from his tomato plants that had no blossoms, had no fruit. He explained that, besides not bearing tomatoes, these branches took nutrients away from the fruit-bearing ones, and that the overall plant would be healthier without them.
This is how John 15:2 has often been translated; that God clips away those of us that do not bear fruit.
There is another perspective which bears hearing out. The above type of pruning is horticulturally sound, and it may be an appropriate metaphor when looking at the world population as a whole in relation to Christ, for He often spoke of trees not planed by God, or trees that do not bear fruit, being destroyed.
But Jesus refers here to the branches that are "in Him", and He says that every branch that abides in Him "bears much fruit".
So then, what does this mean?
Different translations say "prune", "cut away", "remove", etc. The original Greek word is "kathairo," and means "to cleanse." Pruning is more that cutting away, it is also to clean, to cleanse. It was the practice of those that tended to grapevines to watch closely for those vines which 'got away'. Those vines, would get down in the dust, or mud, and choke -- become unable to bear fruit. The vinedresser would gently lift up those vines, a little at a time, and dust them off or rinse them, then carefully place them with the other vines on the trellis. There, out of the muck and mire, they could receive the water, the air, and the sunlight; there, they would soon begin to produce.
In the next verse; "You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you", the Greek word translated "cleanse" is "katharos," which is like "kathairo," and means "to free from impurities."
Jesus lifts us up out of the muck and mire (Psalm 40 anyone?). There we can receive the water, the air, the Light. There we can bear fruit, as we...
...abide.
Abide.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. How does this perspective strike you? 2. How about this type of pruning? 3. How do you abide?
INTERESTING THOUGHTS:
"We make men without chests and expect of them virtue and enterprise.
We laugh at honor and are shocked to find traitors in our midst.
We castrate and bid the geldings be fruitful
C.S. Lewis
Friday, May 29, 2009
ListenDaily - 29 May 2009: The True Vine
ListenDaily - 29 May 2009: The True Vine
“I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples. John 15:1-8 NKJV (find any passage at www.Biblegateway.org)
What a powerful passage this is! I would like to spend a few days with it. When we were studying John 8:31-32, my good friend Melissa alerted me to the usage of the word 'abide' in the NKJV, and she also referred to this passage, which has been the inspiration behind this study.
Jesus says: “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser."
Interesting...the Father -- the Vinedresser -- 'planted' the Vine here on Earth.
He grew, He grew in wisdom and stature.
He began His ministry, and His Body began to grow. He added 'branches', James, Peter, Mary, Martha -- later came Paul -- later you began to grow on the Vine.
How does that make you feel?.
Abide...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. How do you imagine Jesus as the Vine? 2. How do you see yourself attached to Him? 3. How do you abide?
INTERESTING THOUGHTS:
"The branch of the vine does not worry,and toil,
and rush here to seek for sunshine, and there to find rain.
No; it rests in union and communion with the vine;
and at the right time, and in the right way,
is the right fruit found on it. Let us so abide in the Lord Jesus."
Hudson Taylor
“I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples. John 15:1-8 NKJV (find any passage at www.Biblegateway.org)
What a powerful passage this is! I would like to spend a few days with it. When we were studying John 8:31-32, my good friend Melissa alerted me to the usage of the word 'abide' in the NKJV, and she also referred to this passage, which has been the inspiration behind this study.
Jesus says: “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser."
Interesting...the Father -- the Vinedresser -- 'planted' the Vine here on Earth.
He grew, He grew in wisdom and stature.
He began His ministry, and His Body began to grow. He added 'branches', James, Peter, Mary, Martha -- later came Paul -- later you began to grow on the Vine.
How does that make you feel?.
Abide...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. How do you imagine Jesus as the Vine? 2. How do you see yourself attached to Him? 3. How do you abide?
INTERESTING THOUGHTS:
"The branch of the vine does not worry,and toil,
and rush here to seek for sunshine, and there to find rain.
No; it rests in union and communion with the vine;
and at the right time, and in the right way,
is the right fruit found on it. Let us so abide in the Lord Jesus."
Hudson Taylor
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
ListenDaily - 27 May 2009: One in the Three
ListenDaily - 27 May 2009: One in the Three
“If you love Me, keep My commandments. And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you. “A little while longer and the world will see Me no more, but you will see Me. Because I live, you will live also. At that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you. He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.” John 14:15-21 NKJV (find any passage at www.Biblegateway.org)
Part of this passage very much echoes what we studied in John 8, where Jesus talked about 'abiding in His teaching'. Here He implores us to keep His commandments.
Then He makes a promise -- that He will intercede for us and that the Father will send the Spirit to abide with us. The language here is beautiful:
“...the Father...will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you...
...I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you...you will see Me.
...you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you.
...And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.”
The Son reaches out to the Father, who sends the Spirit to us, each of us -- to you if you ask. The Spirit abides in you. The Spirit is the Spirit of Truth; the Truth is Jesus.
We have read that we can abide in Jesus, and He in us.
Jesus said that He and the Father are one.
And there you are, right in the middle; Father, Son, Spirit, and you.
Abide...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. How do you think it feels to live right in the midst of the Father, Son, and Spirit? 2. How do you imagine this? 3. Do you find this comforting?
INTERESTING THOUGHTS:
"How many are quite unworthy to see the light,
and yet the day dawns."
Seneca
“If you love Me, keep My commandments. And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you. “A little while longer and the world will see Me no more, but you will see Me. Because I live, you will live also. At that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you. He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.” John 14:15-21 NKJV (find any passage at www.Biblegateway.org)
Part of this passage very much echoes what we studied in John 8, where Jesus talked about 'abiding in His teaching'. Here He implores us to keep His commandments.
Then He makes a promise -- that He will intercede for us and that the Father will send the Spirit to abide with us. The language here is beautiful:
“...the Father...will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you...
...I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you...you will see Me.
...you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you.
...And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.”
The Son reaches out to the Father, who sends the Spirit to us, each of us -- to you if you ask. The Spirit abides in you. The Spirit is the Spirit of Truth; the Truth is Jesus.
We have read that we can abide in Jesus, and He in us.
Jesus said that He and the Father are one.
And there you are, right in the middle; Father, Son, Spirit, and you.
Abide...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. How do you think it feels to live right in the midst of the Father, Son, and Spirit? 2. How do you imagine this? 3. Do you find this comforting?
INTERESTING THOUGHTS:
"How many are quite unworthy to see the light,
and yet the day dawns."
Seneca
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
ListenDaily - 22 May 2009: You should not abide...
ListenDaily - 22 May 2009: You should not abide...
"Nevertheless even among the rulers many believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue; for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God. Then Jesus cried out and said, “He who believes in Me, believes not in Me but in Him who sent Me. And he who sees Me sees Him who sent Me. I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness." John 12:42-46 NKJV (find any passage at www.Biblegateway.org)
Wow, I have read this passage before, but never from this perspective. In the passage from John 8 we read about people who believed in Jesus yet listened to Satan's lies. In this passage we read about those who believed in Him and yet were more concerned about what other people thought. "Nevertheless even among the rulers many believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue; for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God..." How frustrating that must have been for the One who came to lay down His life; that those for whom He would die would defer to those who did not even care about them. Lord, may we not be guilty of this offense.
“Then Jesus cried out..." How important this is! It caused Jesus to 'cry out'!
“Then Jesus cried out and said 'He who believes in Me, believes not in Me but in Him who sent Me. And he who sees Me sees Him who sent Me. I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness.” This phrase; “I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness.” is very thought provoking. Jesus provided, and provides, the Light so that we no longer have to be in darkness. The Light of the world has come, and is available to all believers.
However, as we see in this passage, Jesus was driven to cry out to those who believed and yet were not living in the light! This is a danger for us as well. Just as we have seen earlier that we could believe and not be free, we can also believe and not move out of the darkness. And Jesus warns us; "...whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness.” Should not! Don't do it! Do not stay in the darkness anymore...do not abide in the darkness any longer. Jesus cries out to us still -- step out into the light and stay there...abide there.
Abide.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. How does loving "he praise of men more than the praise of God" affect believers today? How does it affect you? Your church? 2. Do you think it is possible to believe in Jesus and remain in the darkness? 3. What does it take to move into the light?
INTERESTING THOUGHTS:
"As in the candle I know there is both light and heat,
but put out the candle, and they are both gone."
John Selden
"If the whole universe has no meaning,
we should never have found that it has no meaning:
just as, if there were no light in the universe and therefore no creatures with eyes,
we should never know it was dark."
C.S. Lewis
"The issue is now clear. It is between light and darkness
and everyone must choose his side."
G.K. Chesterton
"How many are quite unworthy to see the light,
and yet the day dawns."
Seneca
"Nevertheless even among the rulers many believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue; for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God. Then Jesus cried out and said, “He who believes in Me, believes not in Me but in Him who sent Me. And he who sees Me sees Him who sent Me. I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness." John 12:42-46 NKJV (find any passage at www.Biblegateway.org)
Wow, I have read this passage before, but never from this perspective. In the passage from John 8 we read about people who believed in Jesus yet listened to Satan's lies. In this passage we read about those who believed in Him and yet were more concerned about what other people thought. "Nevertheless even among the rulers many believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue; for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God..." How frustrating that must have been for the One who came to lay down His life; that those for whom He would die would defer to those who did not even care about them. Lord, may we not be guilty of this offense.
“Then Jesus cried out..." How important this is! It caused Jesus to 'cry out'!
“Then Jesus cried out and said 'He who believes in Me, believes not in Me but in Him who sent Me. And he who sees Me sees Him who sent Me. I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness.” This phrase; “I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness.” is very thought provoking. Jesus provided, and provides, the Light so that we no longer have to be in darkness. The Light of the world has come, and is available to all believers.
However, as we see in this passage, Jesus was driven to cry out to those who believed and yet were not living in the light! This is a danger for us as well. Just as we have seen earlier that we could believe and not be free, we can also believe and not move out of the darkness. And Jesus warns us; "...whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness.” Should not! Don't do it! Do not stay in the darkness anymore...do not abide in the darkness any longer. Jesus cries out to us still -- step out into the light and stay there...abide there.
Abide.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. How does loving "he praise of men more than the praise of God" affect believers today? How does it affect you? Your church? 2. Do you think it is possible to believe in Jesus and remain in the darkness? 3. What does it take to move into the light?
INTERESTING THOUGHTS:
"As in the candle I know there is both light and heat,
but put out the candle, and they are both gone."
John Selden
"If the whole universe has no meaning,
we should never have found that it has no meaning:
just as, if there were no light in the universe and therefore no creatures with eyes,
we should never know it was dark."
C.S. Lewis
"The issue is now clear. It is between light and darkness
and everyone must choose his side."
G.K. Chesterton
"How many are quite unworthy to see the light,
and yet the day dawns."
Seneca
Friday, May 22, 2009
ListenDaily - 22 May 2009: Abiding forever
ListenDaily - 22 May 2009: Abiding forever
"Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” They answered Him, “We are Abraham’s descendants, and have never been in bondage to anyone. How can You say, ‘You will be made free’?” Jesus answered them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed. ” John 8:31-3653-58 NKJV (find any passage at www.Biblegateway.org)
We have talked at length about a portion of these verses, but since the 'abiding' thought is used repeatedly I would like to take another look at this passage as a whole, from the 'abiding' perspective.
"Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him..."
This message was for those who had already come to Christ. This, then, is not an evangelism message, but one of discipleship, knowledge, and freedom.
“If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
We have talked about these particular verses at length, but again, abiding in His Word is the key to discipleship, knowledge, and freedom.
They answered Him, “We are Abraham’s descendants, and have never been in bondage to anyone. How can You say, ‘You will be made free’?”
We see that these people, already believers, still failed to recognize the bondage in which they were held captive. They believed in Jesus, yet still believed Satan's lies. Should we not examine ourselves to see if weare in the same predicament? For Jesus went on to say:
Jesus answered them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin.
So all of them, and all of us, have been enslaved. The question we must ask ourselves is this; have we begun the freedom process by abiding in His Word?
And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever.
This is Good News! We are not freed then turned out on our own; No! We are taken in as children of the King, to live with Him forever!
Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed. ”
This freedom does not come about by our doing. The only thing we can do is abide...abide...abide in His Word and let Him in to free us -- and praise God He will!
"Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day."
This is Good News! Taking part in Him leads us to eternity with Him.
"For My flesh is food indeed, and My blood is drink indeed. He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him. Abiding brings us to oneness with Christ, and therefore oneness with all who abide.
Oh, Spirit still my soul that I may abide;
Jesus let me abide in you, and, please Lord, come abide in me.
Father, thank you for welcoming me as through Your Son and Spirit I come to abide with you...forever.
Amen.
Abide.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. What does 'abiding' mean to you? 2. How does 'abiding by' compare to 'abiding in'? 3. Do you have any questions?
INTERESTING THOUGHTS:
"But the soul renounced shall abide in
the boundlessness of God's life.
This is liberty, this is prosperity.
The more we lose, the more we gain."
Watchman Nee
"Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” They answered Him, “We are Abraham’s descendants, and have never been in bondage to anyone. How can You say, ‘You will be made free’?” Jesus answered them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed. ” John 8:31-3653-58 NKJV (find any passage at www.Biblegateway.org)
We have talked at length about a portion of these verses, but since the 'abiding' thought is used repeatedly I would like to take another look at this passage as a whole, from the 'abiding' perspective.
"Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him..."
This message was for those who had already come to Christ. This, then, is not an evangelism message, but one of discipleship, knowledge, and freedom.
“If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
We have talked about these particular verses at length, but again, abiding in His Word is the key to discipleship, knowledge, and freedom.
They answered Him, “We are Abraham’s descendants, and have never been in bondage to anyone. How can You say, ‘You will be made free’?”
We see that these people, already believers, still failed to recognize the bondage in which they were held captive. They believed in Jesus, yet still believed Satan's lies. Should we not examine ourselves to see if weare in the same predicament? For Jesus went on to say:
Jesus answered them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin.
So all of them, and all of us, have been enslaved. The question we must ask ourselves is this; have we begun the freedom process by abiding in His Word?
And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever.
This is Good News! We are not freed then turned out on our own; No! We are taken in as children of the King, to live with Him forever!
Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed. ”
This freedom does not come about by our doing. The only thing we can do is abide...abide...abide in His Word and let Him in to free us -- and praise God He will!
"Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day."
This is Good News! Taking part in Him leads us to eternity with Him.
"For My flesh is food indeed, and My blood is drink indeed. He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him. Abiding brings us to oneness with Christ, and therefore oneness with all who abide.
Oh, Spirit still my soul that I may abide;
Jesus let me abide in you, and, please Lord, come abide in me.
Father, thank you for welcoming me as through Your Son and Spirit I come to abide with you...forever.
Amen.
Abide.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. What does 'abiding' mean to you? 2. How does 'abiding by' compare to 'abiding in'? 3. Do you have any questions?
INTERESTING THOUGHTS:
"But the soul renounced shall abide in
the boundlessness of God's life.
This is liberty, this is prosperity.
The more we lose, the more we gain."
Watchman Nee
Thursday, May 21, 2009
ListenDaily - 21 May 2009: Abiding in Christ
ListenDaily - 21 May 2009: Abiding in Christ
Then Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. For My flesh is food indeed, and My blood is drink indeed. He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him.” John 6:53-58 NKJV (find any passage at www.Biblegateway.org)
Wow, there is power in these words -- convicting, creative, life-giving, eternal, true power.
“Most assuredly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you." No one can say that Jesus could not be direct! He says here, quite clearly, that without taking part in Him, you are dead. Period. But the Good News is...
"Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day." This is Good News! Taking part in Him leads us to eternity with Him.
"For My flesh is food indeed, and My blood is drink indeed." There is, obviously, much more to be said about the Flesh and Blood of Christ. But for our purpose today, it is sufficient to say that Christ provides the spiritual food and drink that we need to live. Without Him, our soul suffers the same fate that our bodies would without food -- first hunger, then starvation, and, eventually, death.
He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him. And so, here we are. Abiding. Abiding in Him -- and Christ abiding in us! A process of transformation and conformation, whereby we become more and more who He is; not just copying Him -- but becoming part of His Body. And this 'becoming part of the Body' is not a metaphor! It is...
...abiding.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. What does 'abiding' mean to you? 2. How does 'abiding by' compare to 'abiding in'? 3. Do you have any questions?
INTERESTING THOUGHTS:
"The branch of the vine does not worry, and toil,
and rush here to seek for sunshine, and there to find rain.
No; it rests in union and communion with the vine;
and at the right time, and in the right way,
is the right fruit found on it. Let us so abide in the Lord Jesus.
Hudson Taylor
"But the soul renounced shall abide in the boundlessness of God's life.
This is liberty, this is prosperity. The more we lose, the more we gain."
Watchman Nee
"If we then let the words of Christ abide in us,
they will stir us up in prayer."
Reuben Archer Torrey
Then Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. For My flesh is food indeed, and My blood is drink indeed. He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him.” John 6:53-58 NKJV (find any passage at www.Biblegateway.org)
Wow, there is power in these words -- convicting, creative, life-giving, eternal, true power.
“Most assuredly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you." No one can say that Jesus could not be direct! He says here, quite clearly, that without taking part in Him, you are dead. Period. But the Good News is...
"Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day." This is Good News! Taking part in Him leads us to eternity with Him.
"For My flesh is food indeed, and My blood is drink indeed." There is, obviously, much more to be said about the Flesh and Blood of Christ. But for our purpose today, it is sufficient to say that Christ provides the spiritual food and drink that we need to live. Without Him, our soul suffers the same fate that our bodies would without food -- first hunger, then starvation, and, eventually, death.
He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him. And so, here we are. Abiding. Abiding in Him -- and Christ abiding in us! A process of transformation and conformation, whereby we become more and more who He is; not just copying Him -- but becoming part of His Body. And this 'becoming part of the Body' is not a metaphor! It is...
...abiding.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. What does 'abiding' mean to you? 2. How does 'abiding by' compare to 'abiding in'? 3. Do you have any questions?
INTERESTING THOUGHTS:
"The branch of the vine does not worry, and toil,
and rush here to seek for sunshine, and there to find rain.
No; it rests in union and communion with the vine;
and at the right time, and in the right way,
is the right fruit found on it. Let us so abide in the Lord Jesus.
Hudson Taylor
"But the soul renounced shall abide in the boundlessness of God's life.
This is liberty, this is prosperity. The more we lose, the more we gain."
Watchman Nee
"If we then let the words of Christ abide in us,
they will stir us up in prayer."
Reuben Archer Torrey
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
ListenDaily - 16 May 2009: Abide f
ListenDaily - 16 May 2009: Abide
Where the New International Version of the Bible uses the words 'remain' or 'hold to', the New King James Version often uses 'abide'. The thrust of the meaning, I believe, stays the same when used in context.
But I just like the word 'abide'.
To define 'abide', the dictionary uses phrases like: "to wait for", "to endure", "to remain stable", "to continue in a place", "to conform or acquiesce to", "to live in". As we have studied John 8: 31-32; “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” I have become intrigued with the idea of abiding. Jesus taught repeatedly about this idea. He talked about abiding in Him, abiding in His Word, abiding forever, not abiding in darkness, abiding with His Holy Spirit, abiding in the vine, His Word abiding in us, and abiding in His love.
So then, what might it mean to wait for Christ, to endure with Him, to remain stable in and because of Him, and to continue in Him? What would it mean to conform to Him, acquiesce to Him, to live in Him?
Abide.
Let's take a few days and look at Jesus words about abiding.
Let us abide in those words.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. What does 'abiding' mean to you? 2. How does 'abiding by' compare to 'abiding in'? 3. Do you have any questions?
INTERESTING THOUGHT:
Abide With Me
Abide with me; fast falls the eventide;
The darkness deepens; Lord with me abide.
When other helpers fail and comforts flee,
Help of the helpless, O abide with me.
Swift to its close ebbs out life’s little day;
Earth’s joys grow dim; its glories pass away;
Change and decay in all around I see;
O Thou who changest not, abide with me.
Not a brief glance I beg, a passing word;
But as Thou dwell’st with Thy disciples, Lord,
Familiar, condescending, patient, free.
Come not to sojourn, but abide with me.
Come not in terrors, as the King of kings,
But kind and good, with healing in Thy wings,
Tears for all woes, a heart for every plea—
Come, Friend of sinners, and thus bide with me.
Thou on my head in early youth didst smile;
And, though rebellious and perverse meanwhile,
Thou hast not left me, oft as I left Thee,
On to the close, O Lord, abide with me.
I need Thy presence every passing hour.
What but Thy grace can foil the tempter’s power?
Who, like Thyself, my guide and stay can be?
Through cloud and sunshine, Lord, abide with me.
I fear no foe, with Thee at hand to bless;
Ills have no weight, and tears no bitterness.
Where is death’s sting? Where, grave, thy victory?
I triumph still, if Thou abide with me.
Hold Thou Thy cross before my closing eyes;
Shine through the gloom and point me to the skies.
Heaven’s morning breaks, and earth’s vain shadows flee;
In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me.
Henry F. Lyte
Where the New International Version of the Bible uses the words 'remain' or 'hold to', the New King James Version often uses 'abide'. The thrust of the meaning, I believe, stays the same when used in context.
But I just like the word 'abide'.
To define 'abide', the dictionary uses phrases like: "to wait for", "to endure", "to remain stable", "to continue in a place", "to conform or acquiesce to", "to live in". As we have studied John 8: 31-32; “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” I have become intrigued with the idea of abiding. Jesus taught repeatedly about this idea. He talked about abiding in Him, abiding in His Word, abiding forever, not abiding in darkness, abiding with His Holy Spirit, abiding in the vine, His Word abiding in us, and abiding in His love.
So then, what might it mean to wait for Christ, to endure with Him, to remain stable in and because of Him, and to continue in Him? What would it mean to conform to Him, acquiesce to Him, to live in Him?
Abide.
Let's take a few days and look at Jesus words about abiding.
Let us abide in those words.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. What does 'abiding' mean to you? 2. How does 'abiding by' compare to 'abiding in'? 3. Do you have any questions?
INTERESTING THOUGHT:
Abide With Me
Abide with me; fast falls the eventide;
The darkness deepens; Lord with me abide.
When other helpers fail and comforts flee,
Help of the helpless, O abide with me.
Swift to its close ebbs out life’s little day;
Earth’s joys grow dim; its glories pass away;
Change and decay in all around I see;
O Thou who changest not, abide with me.
Not a brief glance I beg, a passing word;
But as Thou dwell’st with Thy disciples, Lord,
Familiar, condescending, patient, free.
Come not to sojourn, but abide with me.
Come not in terrors, as the King of kings,
But kind and good, with healing in Thy wings,
Tears for all woes, a heart for every plea—
Come, Friend of sinners, and thus bide with me.
Thou on my head in early youth didst smile;
And, though rebellious and perverse meanwhile,
Thou hast not left me, oft as I left Thee,
On to the close, O Lord, abide with me.
I need Thy presence every passing hour.
What but Thy grace can foil the tempter’s power?
Who, like Thyself, my guide and stay can be?
Through cloud and sunshine, Lord, abide with me.
I fear no foe, with Thee at hand to bless;
Ills have no weight, and tears no bitterness.
Where is death’s sting? Where, grave, thy victory?
I triumph still, if Thou abide with me.
Hold Thou Thy cross before my closing eyes;
Shine through the gloom and point me to the skies.
Heaven’s morning breaks, and earth’s vain shadows flee;
In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me.
Henry F. Lyte
Friday, May 15, 2009
ListenDaily - 15 May 2009: The Means and the Endeaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will
ListenDaily - 15 May 2009: The Means and the End
Jesus said, "If you hold to [or 'abide in'] my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." (NIV) John 8:31-32 (find any passage at www.Biblegateway.org)
A dear friend wrote me yesterday with concern and a question about the "equations" I wrote about:
ABIDING = DISCIPLESHIP
DISCIPLESHIP = KNOWING TRUTH
KNOWING TRUTH = BEING SET FREE
The question was: "Jim...who among us can abide by his teachings 24/7, as we are all sinners?"
And oh how true that is!
I can easily see how, by that type of mathematical layout, that I might have confused that which I intended to make simple. But please remember, it is not 'abiding by'; it is "abiding in" -- and there is a huge difference. Certainly, there is an aspect of 'doing' here, but the focus is on 'being'. 'Abiding by' would be following a set of rules, a list, guidelines, as the means to the end. "Abiding in" is understanding that God is the end -- and the means.
"Abiding in" is about being in Jesus, no matter what you are doing. It is about "holding on" to Jesus -- and letting Him hold on to you.
"Abiding in" is not the first item on a to-do list, but a first step into being who He wants you to be.
"Abiding in" frees us to be His. We then act in response to being His, not in an effort to try and win or earn His affection.
"Abiding in" allows you to feel His love, His warmth. It is being attentive to His teaching, focusing on them as we do whatever we do, but the perspective is not our perfection but His.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. Do you see a difference between 'abiding by' and 'abiding in'? 2. What is your take on this? 3. Do you have concerns about 'faith vs. works' issues??
INTERESTING THOUGHT:
"The branch of the vine does not worry and toil,
and rush here to seek for sunshine, and there to find rain.
No; it rests in union and communion with the vine;
and at the right time, and in the right way,
is the right fruit found on it. Let us so abide in the Lord Jesus
Hudson Taylor
Jesus said, "If you hold to [or 'abide in'] my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." (NIV) John 8:31-32 (find any passage at www.Biblegateway.org)
A dear friend wrote me yesterday with concern and a question about the "equations" I wrote about:
ABIDING = DISCIPLESHIP
DISCIPLESHIP = KNOWING TRUTH
KNOWING TRUTH = BEING SET FREE
The question was: "Jim...who among us can abide by his teachings 24/7, as we are all sinners?"
And oh how true that is!
I can easily see how, by that type of mathematical layout, that I might have confused that which I intended to make simple. But please remember, it is not 'abiding by'; it is "abiding in" -- and there is a huge difference. Certainly, there is an aspect of 'doing' here, but the focus is on 'being'. 'Abiding by' would be following a set of rules, a list, guidelines, as the means to the end. "Abiding in" is understanding that God is the end -- and the means.
"Abiding in" is about being in Jesus, no matter what you are doing. It is about "holding on" to Jesus -- and letting Him hold on to you.
"Abiding in" is not the first item on a to-do list, but a first step into being who He wants you to be.
"Abiding in" frees us to be His. We then act in response to being His, not in an effort to try and win or earn His affection.
"Abiding in" allows you to feel His love, His warmth. It is being attentive to His teaching, focusing on them as we do whatever we do, but the perspective is not our perfection but His.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. Do you see a difference between 'abiding by' and 'abiding in'? 2. What is your take on this? 3. Do you have concerns about 'faith vs. works' issues??
INTERESTING THOUGHT:
"The branch of the vine does not worry and toil,
and rush here to seek for sunshine, and there to find rain.
No; it rests in union and communion with the vine;
and at the right time, and in the right way,
is the right fruit found on it. Let us so abide in the Lord Jesus
Hudson Taylor
Thursday, May 14, 2009
ListenDaily - 14 May 2009: EQUATIONS
ListenDaily - 14 May 2009: EQUATIONS
Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." (NIV)
John 8:31-32 (find any passage at www.Biblegateway.org)
This is like a series of algebraic equations:
ABIDING = DISCIPLESHIP
DISCIPLESHIP = KNOWING TRUTH
KNOWING TRUTH = BEING SET FREE
If you remember algebra (sorry if that's a bad memory!), whatever you do to one side of an equation, you must do to the other:
if x = y, and you make one side negative, you must make the other side negative to remain equal, -x = -y. So then;
IF YOU DO NOT ABIDE = YOU CANNOT BE A DISCIPLE
IF YOU ARE NOT A DISCIPLE = YOU CANNOT KNOW THE TRUTH
IF YOU DO NOT KNOW THE TRUTH = YOU ARE NOT FREE
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. What does this say about freedom? 2. What is your take on this? 3. Do you feel like you know about the Truth or know the Truth?
INTERESTING THOUGHT:
"The Jews looked upon a serpent to be freed from serpents;
and we look upon the death of Christ to be delivered from death."
Augustine
"The only things we can keep are the things we freely give to God."
C.S. Lewis
Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." (NIV)
John 8:31-32 (find any passage at www.Biblegateway.org)
This is like a series of algebraic equations:
ABIDING = DISCIPLESHIP
DISCIPLESHIP = KNOWING TRUTH
KNOWING TRUTH = BEING SET FREE
If you remember algebra (sorry if that's a bad memory!), whatever you do to one side of an equation, you must do to the other:
if x = y, and you make one side negative, you must make the other side negative to remain equal, -x = -y. So then;
IF YOU DO NOT ABIDE = YOU CANNOT BE A DISCIPLE
IF YOU ARE NOT A DISCIPLE = YOU CANNOT KNOW THE TRUTH
IF YOU DO NOT KNOW THE TRUTH = YOU ARE NOT FREE
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. What does this say about freedom? 2. What is your take on this? 3. Do you feel like you know about the Truth or know the Truth?
INTERESTING THOUGHT:
"The Jews looked upon a serpent to be freed from serpents;
and we look upon the death of Christ to be delivered from death."
Augustine
"The only things we can keep are the things we freely give to God."
C.S. Lewis
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
ListenDaily - 12 May 2009: Need to be freed?
ListenDaily - 12 May 2009: Need to be freed?
Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." (NIV)
John 8:31-32 (find any passage at www.Biblegateway.org)
"Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." Now check out the response from verse 33: "They answered him, "We are Abraham's descendants and have never been slaves of anyone. How can you say that we shall be set free?" Were they kidding? The history of the Jewish people up until this time was a history of their slavery, the exiles, the captivities. Their greatest story was of their Exodus from slavery in Egypt; and here are the descendants of the Exodus people denying that they were ever enslaved. And they were having this conversation they while living under Roman occupation!
Can one be set free if denying captivity?
Of course, Jesus was talking about spiritual freedom; freedom from the bondage of sin.
We are born in bondage. We are born in sin. Sin is bondage. Can one be set free if denying captivity?
Where does that leave me? Where does that leave you?
"Jesus said, "If you abide in my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."
We must accept that we have been living in bondage. No matter how nice we are, no matter how good we think we are. No matter. We are all born into the bondage of sin. To say or think otherwise is to believe a lie. Let us not respond to Christ's call tofreedom with the same foolishness as those in this passage, refusing to believe our legacy of slavery.
Let us abide, be disciples, and know Truth. Let us be free!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. How would you define your own bondage? 2. Is it difficult to recognize? 3. Do you know about the Truth or know the Truth?
INTERESTING THOUGHT:
"The Jews looked upon a serpent to be freed from serpents;
and we look upon the death of Christ to be delivered from death."
Augustine
"The only things we can keep are the things we freely give to God."
C.S. Lewis
Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." (NIV)
John 8:31-32 (find any passage at www.Biblegateway.org)
"Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." Now check out the response from verse 33: "They answered him, "We are Abraham's descendants and have never been slaves of anyone. How can you say that we shall be set free?" Were they kidding? The history of the Jewish people up until this time was a history of their slavery, the exiles, the captivities. Their greatest story was of their Exodus from slavery in Egypt; and here are the descendants of the Exodus people denying that they were ever enslaved. And they were having this conversation they while living under Roman occupation!
Can one be set free if denying captivity?
Of course, Jesus was talking about spiritual freedom; freedom from the bondage of sin.
We are born in bondage. We are born in sin. Sin is bondage. Can one be set free if denying captivity?
Where does that leave me? Where does that leave you?
"Jesus said, "If you abide in my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."
We must accept that we have been living in bondage. No matter how nice we are, no matter how good we think we are. No matter. We are all born into the bondage of sin. To say or think otherwise is to believe a lie. Let us not respond to Christ's call tofreedom with the same foolishness as those in this passage, refusing to believe our legacy of slavery.
Let us abide, be disciples, and know Truth. Let us be free!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. How would you define your own bondage? 2. Is it difficult to recognize? 3. Do you know about the Truth or know the Truth?
INTERESTING THOUGHT:
"The Jews looked upon a serpent to be freed from serpents;
and we look upon the death of Christ to be delivered from death."
Augustine
"The only things we can keep are the things we freely give to God."
C.S. Lewis
Friday, May 8, 2009
ListenDaily - 08 May 2009: What is the truth?
ListenDaily - 08 May 2009: What is the truth?
I have, and will continue to, affirm the coherency of the Scriptures. Look at how they come together!
Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." (NIV)
John 8:31-32 (find any passage at www.Biblegateway.org)
"Then you will know the truth..."
Ah, then -- the age old question: What is the truth? Do we have to guess? Of course not. We do, however have to follow the steps:
Holding onto/abiding in Jesus' teaching.
Grow as disciples.
Then we will know the truth -- "Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6)
Jesus is the truth that sets us free! "And if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." (John 8:36)
AMEN!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. What does this say about the truth? 2. Is this coincidence or coherence? 3. Do you know about the Truth or know the Truth?
INTERESTING THOUGHT:
"To teach in order to lead others to faith
is the task of every preacher and of each believer."
Thomas Aquinas
I have, and will continue to, affirm the coherency of the Scriptures. Look at how they come together!
Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." (NIV)
John 8:31-32 (find any passage at www.Biblegateway.org)
"Then you will know the truth..."
Ah, then -- the age old question: What is the truth? Do we have to guess? Of course not. We do, however have to follow the steps:
Holding onto/abiding in Jesus' teaching.
Grow as disciples.
Then we will know the truth -- "Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6)
Jesus is the truth that sets us free! "And if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." (John 8:36)
AMEN!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. What does this say about the truth? 2. Is this coincidence or coherence? 3. Do you know about the Truth or know the Truth?
INTERESTING THOUGHT:
"To teach in order to lead others to faith
is the task of every preacher and of each believer."
Thomas Aquinas
Thursday, May 7, 2009
ListenDaily - 07 May 2009: The power of an adverb
ListenDaily - 07 May 2009: The power of an adverb
Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." (NIV)
John 8:31-32 (find any passage at www.Biblegateway.org)
"Then you will know the truth..."
"Then". This interesting little adverb is a key to the understanding of Jesus' words here. We often hear "The truth will set you free!" do we not? In sermons, speeches, and writing, this is a very common phrase.
Hold on.
We cannot simply say that "truth will set you free", for alone, that is not true! Jesus set up a series of conditions, or directions, a recipe if you will, that must be followed in order for this to be true.
Then.
"Then", means "immediately or soon afterward"; "next in order of time or place"; or "as a consequence".
"If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples" immediately or soon afterward "you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."
"If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples" next "you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."
"If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples" as a consequence "you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."
"If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. What does this say about the truth? 2. IS it a matter of obedience or understanding? 3. What developments or changes might you need to make?
INTERESTING THOUGHTS:
""We may note in passing that He was never regarded as a mere moral teacher.
He did not produce that effect on any of the people who actually met Him.
He produced mainly three results---Hatred---Terror---Adoration.
There was no trace of people expressing mild admiration."
C.S. Lewis
I believe I never was more acceptable to my Master
than when I was standing to teach those hearers in the open fields
I now preach to ten times more people than I would if I had been confined to the churches.
George Whitefield
"God has given us two ears, but one tongue,
to show that we should be swift to hear, but slow to speak.
God has set a double fence before the tongue, the teeth and the lips,
to teach us to be wary that we offend not with our tongue."
Thomas Watson
"To teach in order to lead others to faith
is the task of every preacher and of each believer."
Thomas Aquinas
"Nature teaches us to love our friends,
but religion our enemies."
Thomas Fuller Fuller
"Everything science has taught me---
and continues to teach me---
strengthens my belief in the continuity of our spiritual existence after death.
Nothing disappears without a trace."
Wernher Von Braun
Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." (NIV)
John 8:31-32 (find any passage at www.Biblegateway.org)
"Then you will know the truth..."
"Then". This interesting little adverb is a key to the understanding of Jesus' words here. We often hear "The truth will set you free!" do we not? In sermons, speeches, and writing, this is a very common phrase.
Hold on.
We cannot simply say that "truth will set you free", for alone, that is not true! Jesus set up a series of conditions, or directions, a recipe if you will, that must be followed in order for this to be true.
Then.
"Then", means "immediately or soon afterward"; "next in order of time or place"; or "as a consequence".
"If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples" immediately or soon afterward "you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."
"If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples" next "you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."
"If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples" as a consequence "you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."
"If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. What does this say about the truth? 2. IS it a matter of obedience or understanding? 3. What developments or changes might you need to make?
INTERESTING THOUGHTS:
""We may note in passing that He was never regarded as a mere moral teacher.
He did not produce that effect on any of the people who actually met Him.
He produced mainly three results---Hatred---Terror---Adoration.
There was no trace of people expressing mild admiration."
C.S. Lewis
I believe I never was more acceptable to my Master
than when I was standing to teach those hearers in the open fields
I now preach to ten times more people than I would if I had been confined to the churches.
George Whitefield
"God has given us two ears, but one tongue,
to show that we should be swift to hear, but slow to speak.
God has set a double fence before the tongue, the teeth and the lips,
to teach us to be wary that we offend not with our tongue."
Thomas Watson
"To teach in order to lead others to faith
is the task of every preacher and of each believer."
Thomas Aquinas
"Nature teaches us to love our friends,
but religion our enemies."
Thomas Fuller Fuller
"Everything science has taught me---
and continues to teach me---
strengthens my belief in the continuity of our spiritual existence after death.
Nothing disappears without a trace."
Wernher Von Braun
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
ListenDaily - 06 May 2009: Really? Really!
ListenDaily - 06 May 2009: Really? Really!
Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." (NIV)
Jesus said... “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (NKJV)
John 8:31-32 (find any passage at www.Biblegateway.org)
"If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples."
The common-use definition of the word 'really' has changed over time. We now use it to show degree; 'it was kind of hot yesterday, today it is really hot.' But that is a misuse of the word. 'Really' means actually, or genuinely. Something really is; or it is not at all. Someone really is; or they are not at all.
So then, one is "really a disciple" or not a disciple of all. One cannot be 'sort of' or 'kind of' a disciple.
I am sure many followed Jesus as He traveled, and for many reasons. Some people always followed a crowd. Some went along for personal gain. Others hung around the fringes, but without making a commitment. But how many were really His disciples?
Today's church deals with the same issues. Some people always follow the crowd. Some go along for personal gain. Others hang around the fringes, but without making a commitment. But how many are really His disciples?
"If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples."
"Anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple." Luke 14:27
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. What does 'really a disciple' mean to you? 2. Are you walking in that direction? 3. What developments or changes might you need to make?
INTERESTING THOUGHTS:
""We may note in passing that He was never regarded as a mere moral teacher.
He did not produce that effect on any of the people who actually met Him.
He produced mainly three results---Hatred---Terror---Adoration.
There was no trace of people expressing mild admiration."
C.S. Lewis
I believe I never was more acceptable to my Master
than when I was standing to teach those hearers in the open fields
I now preach to ten times more people than I would if I had been confined to the churches.
George Whitefield
"God has given us two ears, but one tongue,
to show that we should be swift to hear, but slow to speak.
God has set a double fence before the tongue, the teeth and the lips,
to teach us to be wary that we offend not with our tongue."
Thomas Watson
"To teach in order to lead others to faith
is the task of every preacher and of each believer."
Thomas Aquinas
"Nature teaches us to love our friends,
but religion our enemies."
Thomas Fuller Fuller
"Everything science has taught me---
and continues to teach me---
strengthens my belief in the continuity of our spiritual existence after death.
Nothing disappears without a trace."
Wernher Von Braun
Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." (NIV)
Jesus said... “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (NKJV)
John 8:31-32 (find any passage at www.Biblegateway.org)
"If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples."
The common-use definition of the word 'really' has changed over time. We now use it to show degree; 'it was kind of hot yesterday, today it is really hot.' But that is a misuse of the word. 'Really' means actually, or genuinely. Something really is; or it is not at all. Someone really is; or they are not at all.
So then, one is "really a disciple" or not a disciple of all. One cannot be 'sort of' or 'kind of' a disciple.
I am sure many followed Jesus as He traveled, and for many reasons. Some people always followed a crowd. Some went along for personal gain. Others hung around the fringes, but without making a commitment. But how many were really His disciples?
Today's church deals with the same issues. Some people always follow the crowd. Some go along for personal gain. Others hang around the fringes, but without making a commitment. But how many are really His disciples?
"If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples."
"Anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple." Luke 14:27
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. What does 'really a disciple' mean to you? 2. Are you walking in that direction? 3. What developments or changes might you need to make?
INTERESTING THOUGHTS:
""We may note in passing that He was never regarded as a mere moral teacher.
He did not produce that effect on any of the people who actually met Him.
He produced mainly three results---Hatred---Terror---Adoration.
There was no trace of people expressing mild admiration."
C.S. Lewis
I believe I never was more acceptable to my Master
than when I was standing to teach those hearers in the open fields
I now preach to ten times more people than I would if I had been confined to the churches.
George Whitefield
"God has given us two ears, but one tongue,
to show that we should be swift to hear, but slow to speak.
God has set a double fence before the tongue, the teeth and the lips,
to teach us to be wary that we offend not with our tongue."
Thomas Watson
"To teach in order to lead others to faith
is the task of every preacher and of each believer."
Thomas Aquinas
"Nature teaches us to love our friends,
but religion our enemies."
Thomas Fuller Fuller
"Everything science has taught me---
and continues to teach me---
strengthens my belief in the continuity of our spiritual existence after death.
Nothing disappears without a trace."
Wernher Von Braun
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