If We

7/6/2009

Hebrews 3:6 6 but Christ was faithful as a Son over His house—whose house we are, if we hold fast our confidence and the boast of our hope firm until the end. New American Standard Bible

We have become a self-sufficient society – we depend on ourselves. It is better to depend on yourself than to become a burden to someone else we think; and so we live our lives making decisions and trying to do the best we can with what we have. Sounds good if living life is all there is. But what happens when we discover heinous sin in our children? What happens when disease shows up uninvited and unannounced? What happens when the ruling authorities make up some regulation that is really going raise our taxes and reduce our freedom…then what? Where will our confidence be then and to what will we cling in the day of trouble?

Repeatedly the writer of Hebrews uses the words, “…if we…”. In the present verse he said, “…whose house we are, if we hold fast our confidence and the boast of our hope firm until the end.” “If we” – there is certainly some big personal responsibility in those two little words.

I can either depend on myself, my creativity, my reasoning, or my cleverness – or like Jesus, I can faithfully depend on God. In the uncertainty of life, I must be found on the faithful side of the equation. If I cling to God then His promise is He’ll help me and He’ll cause all things will work together for my good. But if I choose to ignore Him, then I’ll have to tough it out on my own – well, how’s that workin’ for ya, Paul?

Father in Heaven,

As Jesus was faithful over Your house, You are merciful over Your house. But You expect those who make up Your house to live lives of faithfulness and fruitfulness as they listen to and obey You; self-sufficiency is sin and arrogance. Father, may I surrender to You more and more and lean not on my own understanding. May I in all my ways, acknowledge You that You may direct my paths to the perfect accomplishment of Your will for my life – I pray in Christ’s Name: Faithful, amen.

World Without War

7/1/2009

Isaiah 2:4 4 And He will judge between the nations,

And will render decisions for many peoples;

And they will hammer their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks.

Nation will not lift up sword against nation,

And never again will they learn war.

New American Standard Bible

Isaiah speaks of a time when peace will truly be established and enduring upon the earth. I must admit, in these times in which we live, I have huge difficulty seeing our world without war. When I think about the titanic struggles of men with each other and nation against nation, and the enormity of sin in the world, I can’t imagine a time when people will turn their tanks into tractors and melt down their M-!6’s and AK-47’s into lopping shears. Nowadays I sometimes wonder who is really in charge of our planet and our times.

But God has made these present times in order for faith to grow and flourish. God has made these times to show us the futility of life on our own without Him. Just as the days of the Mosaic Law were days in which He showed His own people just how impossible it was to keep the Law and to earn one’s way into heaven; so these days are days of choosing: God or government – and which one will truly deliver and make good in the world? Isaiah pointed to a future time when God would rule in righteousness and no longer would we men settle our differences with armed conflict but according to the justice and wisdom of God – the way He originally intended for it to be…

In order for faith to grow and flourish there must be a people in whom there is faith and through whom others may see and believe. That is what I am called to and that is how I will live – according to faith in God Who will bring this world together someday without war. Until then my calling and purpose is to display the faith I have, in the One who loved me and gave Himself for me, to my fellow man.

Father in Heaven,

Make me wholly Thine; create in me Thy love divine.

Work in me that men may see Thy love, Thine heart and purity.

A work in me Thou hast begun that I and the others, in You may be one;

That our world might put away the spear and the sword, and forever trust in Thee, the Living Lord.

Thou art the Lord, age to age the same; and hearest prayers prayed in Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Continue Convinced

6/27/2009

2 Timothy 3:14 14 You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them,

New American Standard Bible

• Continue – because the temptation is to give up and give in

• Learned – what God has and is now revealing through His word and through circumstances and experiences, past and present

• Convinced – a depth of understanding that endures and doesn’t fade or diminish in the face of difficulties

• Knowing – observing the presence of God in others and embracing and emulating that faith

• Whom – the depth of relationship with people; spending time and sharing life with them

• Learned – watched, shared, celebrated, wept, pondered; all the necessary elements of time, fellowship and experience that cement these values and turn them into convictions

Paul reminded Timothy of these things because Paul (eyes wide open) had sent Timothy (eyes wide open) into the fray and out among wolves in sheep’s clothing. But Paul reminded Timothy that no matter how bad things may get, and how strong temptations might appear, God was on his side and had supplied him with everything he needed to succeed.

As I look at my life and its evolution over the last few months and years these words of Paul are to me as if he wrote them to me. God has changed my perspective and altered my value system and I will continue in the things I have learned and become convinced of because I know how I learned them, and who God used to teach me.

Father in Heaven,

You've made sure that my life has not been without teachers, mentors, influencers, and experiences that have helped shape me into the believer I am, and given me the convictions I now hold. As I look back over 26 years of walking with You, You've helped me endure in my faith and learn to get rid of some stupid thinking and grow into more maturity. I know we’re not done, You and me, but I trust what You are doing and like Abraham, I am following You into the unknown, knowing that You have a plan and purpose in mind. Thank You, in Jesus’ Name I am enabled; and I pray, amen.

Take Pains

6/22/2009

1 Timothy 4:15 15 Take pains with these things; be absorbed in them, so that your progress will be evident to all.

New American Standard Bible

A Puritan teacher once said, "Impress the young convert from the very beginning with the conviction that God has called him into His kingdom to struggle with the corruptions of his heart." Now one might think God had called the young convert to love, purity, holiness and the like – and God has – but God has called all of His children to take pains with their faith and struggle (war, wrestle, contend) against the sin, weaknesses, and flaws in their own hearts. By doing so their faith will become real and their progress in walking in godliness will be visible to all.

So today, it’s into the fray for me. I will struggle and fight against my natural propensities and inclinations to sin and it won’t be pretty; it won’t be without scaring, wounds, and setback, but it will be worth it, and eventually my progress in the faith will be evident to others and my daily struggle will be pleasing to God…

Father in Heaven,

Your way is worth the pain of going after it. You have called me to fight against the things in me that are opposed to You. So again today, I pick up my shield and sword and put on my helmet and I go back into the battle not in weariness, not in futility, not in frustration, but with intention and diligence to take the pain of fighting against them. Whether others see my progress or not is not important – what is important is victory over my sinful nature. Help me today I pray in Jesus’ Name, amen.