In heaven, "blessing and honor and glory and dominion" will belong to the One seated on the throne and the Lamb forever! It will be our final destination to "enter into the joy of the Lord" when we enter the presence of the Lord in glory. But blessing is a difficult and troublesome word to translate from the Hebrew or Greek. We might think of it as "happiness," but also one of fulfillment and inner joy. Mother, now canonized, Teresa said, "True holiness consists in doing the will of God with a smile." C. S. Lewis said, "Joy is the serious business of heaven," and we will all find our joy there and be blessed beyond measure.
Our blessings come from the ultimate source of blessing and all good things (cf. James 1:17)--God. Man is on a frantic search for happiness or fulfillment in this life and will substitute anything but God's provision to bring him momentary thrills or an escape. "There is no peace for the wicked." (cf. Isaiah 48:22; 57:21). Materialism, wisdom, success, knowledge, sex, fame, power, and riches all fail to satisfy the soul according to Solomon, who tried them all.
The purpose of saying we are blessed instead of lucky or fortunate is that we attribute our welfare to God and are thanking Him. How God measures blessing or happiness in His economy differs from the norms of this world. The Beatitudes show the way to true blessing and this is in contradistinction to the ways of the world. Christianity is countercultural! The truly blessed people are those who have found God, know Him, and let Him use them to be a channel of blessing to others. Those who bless others are the most blessed! Let us not so seek to be blessed as to bless! John the Baptist is the epitome of success in God's economy; he realized that the way up is down! that pride comes before a fall and that humility comes before promotion: "He must increase, but I must decrease" (John 3:30, HCSB, emphasis added),
Happiness is not the chasing of pots at ends of mythical rainbows, but something granted by the Spirit for our obedience and submission to His will; "But none of these things move me" (cf. Acts 20:24). It is not some will-o'-the-wisp either. The whole world is on a made quest for happiness but it eludes them without knowing God. Only Jesus can give us the "abundant life" He promised; "These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full" (John 15:11, KJV). We are to first seek God and His righteousness, then it will be added (cf. Matt. 6:33).
What are we really looking for then? Not some religious high or some momentary experience we can ride the rest of our lives, but to find purpose, meaning, and fulfillment in life. The question should be: Are we getting what we want and expect out of our lives? Are we satisfied and content? Paul said that he had learned the secret of contentment in all situations (cf. Phil. 4:13) and that is something we can all relate to (he was under arrest when he wrote that). We will have Happiness with a capital H when we learn to abide in Christ. This is one of the great commands of salvation: come to Me; follow Me; abide in Me; know Me. love Me. We must abide in Christ and show much fruit to glorify God, that's the secret right there: living for something bigger than ourselves and that will outlast us, our calling from God to let Him use us for His glory.
Most people equate happiness with happenings or circumstances (this is superficial and depends on outward stimuli). They don't realize they can be blessed or have inner joy through the trials and tribulations and all manner of adversity--they just bring new opportunities to learn about God and ourselves. We can rise above circumstances and live above the humdrum. God's answer to happenstance is Providence and when we realize He's in control and fully orchestrates all details in our lives, we are at ease and can rest assured and be content wherever the chips may fall and whenever they are down; i.e., we are down on our "luck" so to speak (though this is an overused misnomer), because we will know that God is with us through it all. ("And behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go," Gen. 28:15, RSV; cf. Isaiah 41:10).
In summation, Pascal said that our souls are like vacuums that only God can fill, and St. Augustine of Hippo said likewise that we are restless till we find our rest in God--we are made for Him and no substitute will do. We are called to walk by faith (cf. 2 Cor. 5:7) but this is not some perpetual, religious high nor remembering some existential encounter or experience, but growing in our relationship and fellowship as we become intimate with God. In closing, I'll quote the Christian student of Sigmund Freud, Carl Jung: "Emptiness is the primary problem of man." Soli Deo Gloria!
To bridge the gap between so-called theologians and regular "students" of the Word and make polemics palatable. Contact me @ bloggerbro@outlook.com To search title keywords: title:example or label as label:example; or enter a keyword in search engine ATTN: SITE USING COOKIES!
About Me
- Karl Broberg
- I am a born-again Christian, who is Reformed, but also charismatic, spiritually speaking. (I do not speak in tongues, but I believe glossalalia is a bona fide gift not given to all, and not as great as prophecy, for example.) I have several years of college education but only completed a two-year degree. I was raised Lutheran and confirmed, but I didn't "find Christ" until I was in the Army and responded to a Billy Graham crusade in 1973. I was mentored or discipled by the Navigators in the army and upon discharge joined several evangelical, Bible-teaching churches. I was baptized as an infant, but believe in believer baptism, of which I was a partaker after my conversion experience. I believe in the "5 Onlys" of the reformation: sola fide (faith alone); sola Scriptura (Scripture alone); soli Christo (Christ alone), sola gratia (grace alone), and soli Deo gloria (to God alone be the glory). I affirm TULIP as defended in the Reformation.. I affirm most of The Westminster Confession of Faith, especially pertaining to Providence.
Showing posts with label blessings. Show all posts
Showing posts with label blessings. Show all posts
Sunday, October 27, 2019
Wednesday, July 17, 2019
Christ's Bema
"...[B]ecause anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him" (Heb. 11:6, NIV).
"... 'Fear not, Abram, I am your shield, your reward shall be very great'" (Gen. 15:1, NIV).
"Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you" (Matt. 5:12, NIV).
BY WAY OF INTRO, SOME LAWYERS DON'T CARE SO MUCH WHAT THE LAW IS AS TO WHO THE JUDGE IS! WE CAN REST IN PEACE THAT THE RIGHTEOUS FATHER HAS GIVEN ALL JUDGMENT TO THE SON WHO SAVED US.
The Judgment Seat of Christ, known as His bema or tribunal, is where all believers get their appraisal (cf. 2 Cor. 5:10; Rom. 14:8,10) and evaluation of their life's work done in the Lord, as to whether it deserves reward. Some will be saved, as if by fire (cf. 1 Cor. 3:14-15) and some will have a full reward. But what are we to expect at the bema? God isn't going to inquire as to what political party we aligned ourselves with or affiliated with, as to whether we are saved by virtue of it--for God is nonpartisan and doesn't give us brownie points for this! He will not inquire about our denominational affiliation or positions on the issues and doctrines. God isn't going to ask us about our highs and ecstasies in our walk, for God is more concerned with faith than feeling.
Oswald Chambers said that the "measure of a person's spiritual life is not their ecstasies, but their obedience!" Again I quote Dietrich Bonhoeffer, rephrased Martin Luther: "Only he who believes is obedient; only he who is obedient believes!" They go hand in hand and must not be divorced--they can be distinguished, but not separated! We must be obedient to the faith (cf. Rom. 1:50. This means a penitent and willing spirit, submissive to His will as our yoke. We are not under the Law, (cf. Rom. 6:14) but under a higher standard, albeit easier, the law of love, which can never be satisfied!
We must not expect God to give us kudos for our strong faith or our assurance--how strong our faith was--for the faith as of a mustard seed is adequate. Faith, like our righteousness, is the gift of God for which we are held to account. Our assurance of salvation and strong faith is a gift and for our benefit, not God's. We're measured by our good works, not our faith (cf. Rom. 2:6)! Our righteousness is God's gift to us, not our blessing or gift to God! All our works must be tried as if by fire, to see if they are worthy--some will only be wood, hay, and stubble, while others as pure as silver and gold that is refined and found to reflect God's image--we are meant to be God's ambassadors in the world (cf. 2 Cor 5:20) and for God to see Himself in us (cf. Col. 1:27).
At Christ's bema we will be held accountable for all the resources, blessings, character, personality, gifts, talents, relationships, time, opportunities God has granted us by grace. Everything we have is only on loan from God as we are merely stewards of His manifold blessings and provision. Nothing we have belongs to us, for it's all His and we must make an investment in the Lord to find a return on that investment! God's dividends are well worth it--for it is well worth the time and effort to serve the Lord, for He is a bountiful giver of rewards as our Provider (Jehovah-Jireh) to those who serve Him, and God is no man's debtor!
Paul wasn't against good works, just those done in the flesh (by the energy of the natural man, not the Holy Spirit). Only those works foreordained by God per Ephesians 2:10 and we are led to do while filled with the Spirit and enabled to do: "Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the LORD God" (cf. Zech. 4:6). If we walk after the flesh, it doesn't matter how many good deeds we do--they are not worthy (cf. Isa. 64:6). This is why the faith we have is the faith we show, and works validate faith and are evidence, not the substitute for it; also, faith without works is dead faith and cannot save (cf. James 2:17)!
We increase in the knowledge of God as we do works in the Spirit as God ordained (cf. Col. 1:10). This is precisely why Christ said that even a cup of cold water given in His name will not remain unrewarded or lose its reward! Many will put their confidence in their works, not in the Lord, and expect a free pass by virtue of them; however, all in all, what we should expect to hear are the words: "Well done, thou good and faithful servant!" The Lord is our portion and our reward (cf. Gen. 15:1) and compensation is in heaven--don't get into a comfort zone in this life and feel too much at home.
In sum, we must be looking unto the heavenly city (cf. Phil. 3:20), to a heavenly reward not realized, and not realize our reward in this life (cf. Psalm 17:14)--we're only passing through as sojourners (cf. 1 Pet. 2:11) and pilgrims, as mere stewards of God's manifold bounties! Soli Deo Gloria!
"... 'Fear not, Abram, I am your shield, your reward shall be very great'" (Gen. 15:1, NIV).
"Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you" (Matt. 5:12, NIV).
BY WAY OF INTRO, SOME LAWYERS DON'T CARE SO MUCH WHAT THE LAW IS AS TO WHO THE JUDGE IS! WE CAN REST IN PEACE THAT THE RIGHTEOUS FATHER HAS GIVEN ALL JUDGMENT TO THE SON WHO SAVED US.
The Judgment Seat of Christ, known as His bema or tribunal, is where all believers get their appraisal (cf. 2 Cor. 5:10; Rom. 14:8,10) and evaluation of their life's work done in the Lord, as to whether it deserves reward. Some will be saved, as if by fire (cf. 1 Cor. 3:14-15) and some will have a full reward. But what are we to expect at the bema? God isn't going to inquire as to what political party we aligned ourselves with or affiliated with, as to whether we are saved by virtue of it--for God is nonpartisan and doesn't give us brownie points for this! He will not inquire about our denominational affiliation or positions on the issues and doctrines. God isn't going to ask us about our highs and ecstasies in our walk, for God is more concerned with faith than feeling.
Oswald Chambers said that the "measure of a person's spiritual life is not their ecstasies, but their obedience!" Again I quote Dietrich Bonhoeffer, rephrased Martin Luther: "Only he who believes is obedient; only he who is obedient believes!" They go hand in hand and must not be divorced--they can be distinguished, but not separated! We must be obedient to the faith (cf. Rom. 1:50. This means a penitent and willing spirit, submissive to His will as our yoke. We are not under the Law, (cf. Rom. 6:14) but under a higher standard, albeit easier, the law of love, which can never be satisfied!
We must not expect God to give us kudos for our strong faith or our assurance--how strong our faith was--for the faith as of a mustard seed is adequate. Faith, like our righteousness, is the gift of God for which we are held to account. Our assurance of salvation and strong faith is a gift and for our benefit, not God's. We're measured by our good works, not our faith (cf. Rom. 2:6)! Our righteousness is God's gift to us, not our blessing or gift to God! All our works must be tried as if by fire, to see if they are worthy--some will only be wood, hay, and stubble, while others as pure as silver and gold that is refined and found to reflect God's image--we are meant to be God's ambassadors in the world (cf. 2 Cor 5:20) and for God to see Himself in us (cf. Col. 1:27).
At Christ's bema we will be held accountable for all the resources, blessings, character, personality, gifts, talents, relationships, time, opportunities God has granted us by grace. Everything we have is only on loan from God as we are merely stewards of His manifold blessings and provision. Nothing we have belongs to us, for it's all His and we must make an investment in the Lord to find a return on that investment! God's dividends are well worth it--for it is well worth the time and effort to serve the Lord, for He is a bountiful giver of rewards as our Provider (Jehovah-Jireh) to those who serve Him, and God is no man's debtor!
Paul wasn't against good works, just those done in the flesh (by the energy of the natural man, not the Holy Spirit). Only those works foreordained by God per Ephesians 2:10 and we are led to do while filled with the Spirit and enabled to do: "Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the LORD God" (cf. Zech. 4:6). If we walk after the flesh, it doesn't matter how many good deeds we do--they are not worthy (cf. Isa. 64:6). This is why the faith we have is the faith we show, and works validate faith and are evidence, not the substitute for it; also, faith without works is dead faith and cannot save (cf. James 2:17)!
We increase in the knowledge of God as we do works in the Spirit as God ordained (cf. Col. 1:10). This is precisely why Christ said that even a cup of cold water given in His name will not remain unrewarded or lose its reward! Many will put their confidence in their works, not in the Lord, and expect a free pass by virtue of them; however, all in all, what we should expect to hear are the words: "Well done, thou good and faithful servant!" The Lord is our portion and our reward (cf. Gen. 15:1) and compensation is in heaven--don't get into a comfort zone in this life and feel too much at home.
In sum, we must be looking unto the heavenly city (cf. Phil. 3:20), to a heavenly reward not realized, and not realize our reward in this life (cf. Psalm 17:14)--we're only passing through as sojourners (cf. 1 Pet. 2:11) and pilgrims, as mere stewards of God's manifold bounties! Soli Deo Gloria!
Sunday, January 14, 2018
Of Give-And-Take
"But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? For everything comes from You, and we have given You only what comes from Your own hand" (2 Chron. 29:14, HCSB).
"... Freely you have received, freely give" (Matt. 10:8, NKJV).
"...' I am the LORD your God, who teaches you to profit, Who leads you by the way you should go'" (Isaiah 48:17, NKJV).
"And you shall remember the LORD your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth..." (Deut. 8:18, NKJV).
"For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also" (Matt. 6:21, NIV).
Concerning the things of the world, and we ought not to love the things of the world, we should echo Paul, who said that none of these things move him (cf. Acts 20:24). We are all rich! Real riches consist in the abundance of our blessings of all manner, not just our material possessions; actually, riches are better measured by the fewness of our wants, not the abundance of our material goods--the man who dies with the most toys doesn't win, but he missed the boat! The idea is to get focused and to realize what God wants to bless you with and go for it from there. The person who covets everything cannot find happiness in belongings, and we ought to be possessors of our possessions, and not let them control us as slaves. Money is a cruel taskmaster, for people who have a lot of it still want more, and you cannot serve God and mammon, according to our Lord. Just ask a millionaire how much money would make him happy and content; he'll tell you that it's just a little more! Paul urges us to be content with what we have and learn to be thankful in all circumstances.
God does promise to take care of our physical needs but not necessarily our felt needs or wants; however, some people are twice blessed because God blesses all in some ways and is good to all according to Psalm 145:9. Jesus did indeed say that it's more blessed to give than to receive (cf. Acts 20:35), and people who realize this are fulfilled givers, and grace-giving is done sacrificially and with purpose and faithfulness. Paul added that God loves a cheerful giver in 2 Cor. 9:7. If we give out of the wrong spirit, it cannot be blessed, knowing even that it's not the amount per se, but the motive and faith, knowing that God multiplies the gift exponentially and uses it for His work. It is indeed a privilege and pleasure to know that we can contribute to God's work in the kingdom. In God's economy, it is in giving that we receive!
God blesses us in like manner as we bless others, so be sure not to cheat God! God gives freely to us and we are to freely give in return, and this is the grace of giving and taking--sometimes it can be humbling to receive as well, but it's always an honor to be the giver, for God is the Giver of all blessings (cf. James 1:17), for God "gives generously to all without finding fault" (cf. James 1:5, NIV), and He has no hands to give other than ours.
We are never to look down on the less fortunate or those "down on their luck" as they say; for God is the maker of the poor as well as the rich, and to despise the poor is to insult God. The wisest people are those who have experienced hardship and have roots not too be envied, and come from humble backgrounds. These people hopefully will never forget that God is the one who makes one rich (cf. Deut. 8:18). God teaches us to profit and shows us the way, when we are blessed (cf. Isaiah 48:17, NKJV). Always aware that prosperity isn't a sure sign of God's favor. When one is rich it doesn't mean he can waste money or show no respect for it, but must always remember the value of a dollar.
I do not believe in prosperity theology, or that we must cash in our spiritual lottery ticket after salvation, and God will always prosper His children in a material way. But whatever task we are called to do, He will bless and make sure we have the means to do it and we will be successful in that venture in His name. Money is only one measure of prosperity or success, and shouldn't be the litmus test of a person's faith or walk with God. If you love money, you'll never have enough. Because he who is faithful in little, will be faithful in much, and to whom much is given, much is expected, as Jesus said. In God's economy, it is the poor who are rich in faith (cf. James 2:5), because wealth can be anesthetizing and bring on more angst about financial woes, exigencies, or expectancies--since wealth makes one tend to feel independent of God and even oblivious. Wealth per se doesn't bring happiness, for you can have everything to live on, and nothing to live for! We must not strive to become rich, but let God bless us in our service to Him--do that in life that you feel you can best serve God faithfully, not that which brings in the most income.
Paul did learn the lesson of being content both in need and in plenty! God wants to bless us but sometimes our hands are already full of the world's goods, and we have no place for His provision and abundance. God is good to all in some ways, and to some in all ways, but no one can say God is not good or that they haven't been blessed. Give what you are blessed with, for instance, some people have time to spare and can volunteer or donate time as a commodity or venture for God's work. We are never happier than when we are doing God's work with a smile.
One of God's attributes is His generosity, and we are to mimic that and become channels or conduits of His blessings and provision. We are to render to God that which is God's, according to Jesus, and this doesn't mean that only spiritual things belong to Him, but everything is His and we have it on loan as stewards who will be evaluated for our faithfulness when we are called to account and evaluated. The greatest gifts are God's Son, His Word in the form of the Scriptures, the Comforter, and of course, eternal life: we are to appropriate these as blessings and pass them on.
God gives us more insights when we pass on those given to us because this is good stewardship of the mysteries of God. Remember the principle: Give and it shall be given to you! This is the key to opening up the doors of heaven's bounty. It's best to be focused on the spiritual (cf. Col. 3:1) because we ought not to lay up treasures on earth, for where our treasure is, our heart will be also (cf. Matt. 6:19-20). We don't want to become slaves to materialism and equate happiness with it, for our joy should be in the Lord and doing His will--as it is written: "Rejoice in the Lord."
The chief virtue of receiving God's bounty is to give thanks! It's a reward in itself, bearing the gift of God. It is important to know that the Lord doesn't give like the world gives (cf. John 14:27), for "the gifts [referring to spiritual gifts] and callings of God are without repentance," according to Rom. 11:29. Job noted that the Lord gives and takes away (cf. Job 1:21), "...[S]hall we receive good from God, and shall we not receive evil?" (Job 2:10, ESV), but God is no man's debtor and His tests and pruning are for our good. Paul noted in 1 Tim. 6:17, NKJV, that "[God] gives us richly all things to enjoy," including "our daily bread."
Paul exhorts us who give in Rom. 12:8, NKJV, to give "with liberality." I would be remiss not to mention the main thing: To give of ourselves to the Lord; for we are God's and His desire is for us. There is a direct correlation between the two: receiving with thanksgiving puts us in the spirit to give as unto the Lord and to give gracefully because we know what Thanksgiving is from experience and want to pass it on--grateful people are those inspired to become givers and a blessing to others. If you are not thankful, try the grace of giving and receiving thanks, till you feel compelled to give and become grace-oriented, and if you are thankful, express it in giving too--you'll find a grateful heart and the gift of giving as the result. And in conclusion focus on this: Ask and it shall be given unto thee," so also on the flip side "give to him that asks" in return. (Cf. Matt. 5:42).
Only Christianity shows us how much God loves and it's sacrificial, costing Him His Son; we too can show our love sacrificially, for we can give without love, but not love without giving, says Rick Warren. Fellowship is mutuality, which is defined as the art of give-and-take! Soli Deo Gloria!
Sunday, November 26, 2017
Being Part Of The Answer
"My times are in your hand..." (Psalm 31:15, ESV).
"My future is in your hands..." (Ibid., NLT).
"The course of my life is in Your power..." (Ibid., HCSB).
" ...Now I will rescue you and make you both a symbol and a source of blessing..." (Zech. 8:13, NLT).
"...So I shall save you and you shall be a blessing..." (Ibid., NKJV).
"I will bless those who bless you and curse those who treat you with contempt..." (Gen. 12:3, NLT).
Some people are part of the problem or a detriment to others (prodigal, as in the parable of the Prodigal Son in Luke 15, means being wasteful or lost), while others are a blessing and asset to have as a company, or being part of the solution! I'm not necessarily talking about being the life of the party, but about being a conduit or channel of God's grace and blessings. We all have gifts given as the Holy Spirit wills (cf. 1 Cor. 12:11,18) and are responsible for their faithful stewardship.
"My future is in your hands..." (Ibid., NLT).
"The course of my life is in Your power..." (Ibid., HCSB).
" ...Now I will rescue you and make you both a symbol and a source of blessing..." (Zech. 8:13, NLT).
"...So I shall save you and you shall be a blessing..." (Ibid., NKJV).
"I will bless those who bless you and curse those who treat you with contempt..." (Gen. 12:3, NLT).
Some people are part of the problem or a detriment to others (prodigal, as in the parable of the Prodigal Son in Luke 15, means being wasteful or lost), while others are a blessing and asset to have as a company, or being part of the solution! I'm not necessarily talking about being the life of the party, but about being a conduit or channel of God's grace and blessings. We all have gifts given as the Holy Spirit wills (cf. 1 Cor. 12:11,18) and are responsible for their faithful stewardship.
I'm talking about any type of resource: time; money; talent; spiritual gifts; property and possessions; real estate; opportunity; friendships; relationships; business associates and colleagues; education or training; knowledge, wisdom, and understanding from God, ad infinitum. In God's eyes were all richly endowed and once we've experienced it we want to pass it on! Be the one to make a difference! Stand up and be counted, don't sit on the sidelines, instead, fly your Christian colors!
God only blesses us in order to be a blessing to others, not just to hoard for ourselves: a pastor is given discernment and insight into the Word to give a message to enlighten the flock, not just for his own edification. All of us are blessed by God: some in all ways, but all in some ways (cf. Psalm 145:9)--God even blesses and prospers the wicked. If we are successful, we owe it to God, it's not our own doing (cf. Isa. 30:18; Psalm 84:11). Deut. 8:17-18 says plainly, "He did all this so you would never say to yourself, 'I have achieved this wealth with my own strength and energy.' Remember the LORD your God, He is the one who gives you the power to be successful, in order to fulfill the covenant..." (NLT). Isaiah 48:17, ESV, says, "..'I am the LORD your God, who teaches you to profit, who leads you in the way you should go.'" The trouble with most people is that they give themselves credit for success and blame God for failure (cf. Prov. 19:3, NLT, says, "People ruin their lives by their own foolishness and then are angry at the LORD.").
We are not called to be a burden on society (everyone can pay back something from his blessings), but to find meaning, purpose, and fulfillment in contributing our share of the pie that God has given us--the cards dealt us in the form of provision or blessings. If a person has a lot of time on his hands, for instance, though he is poor, may find fulfillment in making use of it for the Lord (redeeming the time) and investing it in others. Seize the moment! We can do only a few things with time, and God allows all of us our fair share, and they include: wasting it; making it; investing it; and spending it. In one sense we are all living on borrowed time! So spend it on something that will outlast you! Prayer, for example, is never a waste of time, but an investment with immediate and long-term dividends and payoffs.
When we make use of the gifts God does give us, He grants more accordingly. If you pass on insights God gives you, you will receive more! Faithful use of time grants more time also to use for God. Be a time manager! After all, the end result of our blessings should be to use them to invest in the kingdom of God. God blesses us financially so we can be financial support to those in need, to remember the poor, not to live lavishly or luxuriously. If you have a musical talent that is untapped, get with it, and invest it in the service of God! Using your spiritual gift faithfully will bring more opportunities and blessings. Some people have opportunities to witness to people of influence or the rich and famous, and God may honor them with fruit that can be a blessing to the church at large.
Zech. 8:13 says that God will save us in order that we can be a blessing! God has His glory in mind when we get saved and sees how to plant us for a harvest--so bloom where you are planted! Some people may wonder why God saved them; they may be the only ones that can reach a certain niche or group that relates to them. God may save a nurse to be a light to doctors! God may save a professor to be a light to his students! J. R. R. Tolkien was saved so he could bring his colleague, C. S. Lewis, to the Lord, who was a skeptic like Tolkien used to be, and they could relate to each other.
It is important for our mindset to realize that we are mere stewards of God's blessings (but this only makes sense to the faithful), and everything ultimately belongs to Him. This life is but a staging area to see how we handle God's grace and provision. It is also vital to realize that when we are faithful in our stewardship, we honor and bless God! According to the Westminster Shorter Catechism, the "chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever." Isaiah 49:3, ESV, promises, "...' You are my servant, Israel, in whom I will be glorified.'" We are all created for His glory in Isaiah 43:7, ESV: "[E]veryone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made."
Bringing blessing to God is more than lip service, going through the motions, uttering empty phrases or vain repetitions, or mouthing the words, but living it out: the faith you have is the faith you show; our lives are to bring glory to God by being worthy of our Lord and our calling--showing faithfulness cannot be divorced from faith. Soli Deo Gloria!
God only blesses us in order to be a blessing to others, not just to hoard for ourselves: a pastor is given discernment and insight into the Word to give a message to enlighten the flock, not just for his own edification. All of us are blessed by God: some in all ways, but all in some ways (cf. Psalm 145:9)--God even blesses and prospers the wicked. If we are successful, we owe it to God, it's not our own doing (cf. Isa. 30:18; Psalm 84:11). Deut. 8:17-18 says plainly, "He did all this so you would never say to yourself, 'I have achieved this wealth with my own strength and energy.' Remember the LORD your God, He is the one who gives you the power to be successful, in order to fulfill the covenant..." (NLT). Isaiah 48:17, ESV, says, "..'I am the LORD your God, who teaches you to profit, who leads you in the way you should go.'" The trouble with most people is that they give themselves credit for success and blame God for failure (cf. Prov. 19:3, NLT, says, "People ruin their lives by their own foolishness and then are angry at the LORD.").
We are not called to be a burden on society (everyone can pay back something from his blessings), but to find meaning, purpose, and fulfillment in contributing our share of the pie that God has given us--the cards dealt us in the form of provision or blessings. If a person has a lot of time on his hands, for instance, though he is poor, may find fulfillment in making use of it for the Lord (redeeming the time) and investing it in others. Seize the moment! We can do only a few things with time, and God allows all of us our fair share, and they include: wasting it; making it; investing it; and spending it. In one sense we are all living on borrowed time! So spend it on something that will outlast you! Prayer, for example, is never a waste of time, but an investment with immediate and long-term dividends and payoffs.
When we make use of the gifts God does give us, He grants more accordingly. If you pass on insights God gives you, you will receive more! Faithful use of time grants more time also to use for God. Be a time manager! After all, the end result of our blessings should be to use them to invest in the kingdom of God. God blesses us financially so we can be financial support to those in need, to remember the poor, not to live lavishly or luxuriously. If you have a musical talent that is untapped, get with it, and invest it in the service of God! Using your spiritual gift faithfully will bring more opportunities and blessings. Some people have opportunities to witness to people of influence or the rich and famous, and God may honor them with fruit that can be a blessing to the church at large.
Zech. 8:13 says that God will save us in order that we can be a blessing! God has His glory in mind when we get saved and sees how to plant us for a harvest--so bloom where you are planted! Some people may wonder why God saved them; they may be the only ones that can reach a certain niche or group that relates to them. God may save a nurse to be a light to doctors! God may save a professor to be a light to his students! J. R. R. Tolkien was saved so he could bring his colleague, C. S. Lewis, to the Lord, who was a skeptic like Tolkien used to be, and they could relate to each other.
It is important for our mindset to realize that we are mere stewards of God's blessings (but this only makes sense to the faithful), and everything ultimately belongs to Him. This life is but a staging area to see how we handle God's grace and provision. It is also vital to realize that when we are faithful in our stewardship, we honor and bless God! According to the Westminster Shorter Catechism, the "chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever." Isaiah 49:3, ESV, promises, "...' You are my servant, Israel, in whom I will be glorified.'" We are all created for His glory in Isaiah 43:7, ESV: "[E]veryone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made."
Bringing blessing to God is more than lip service, going through the motions, uttering empty phrases or vain repetitions, or mouthing the words, but living it out: the faith you have is the faith you show; our lives are to bring glory to God by being worthy of our Lord and our calling--showing faithfulness cannot be divorced from faith. Soli Deo Gloria!
Sunday, February 12, 2017
Perfect Gifts
"Every generous act and every perfect gift is from above..." (James 1:17, HCSB).
Christ did all He could to discourage halfhearted followers who were more fans and groupies than worshipers and disciples. He wasn't trying to win a popularity contest and in His economy quality outranks quantity. He constantly admonished them to count the cost--yes salvation is costs, but it costs more not to be saved! Grace is free, but not cheap; the Lord demands our all, He doesn't want our achievements, but our obedience--in short, He wants us and all we are.
But He freely gives us all things to enjoy (cf. 1 Tim. 6:17), and the only way He can pour His riches into our hands s if they are empty. In God's economy emptying comes before filling. We don't think our lives are anything to be compared to what we gain in Christ: to live is Christ, to die is gain! The only condition we need to come to Christ is a bankrupt soul that has stopped trying to save itself and started to trust in Christ.
Yes, salvation is an expensive proposition, but it's worth it! We offer ourselves as living sacrifices only to receive ourselves back, renewed in the image of Christ. He wants to change our way of thinking and a whole outlook on life itself. Yes, we must come to full, absolute surrender to Christ per Rom. 12:1 and also must keep on yielding our will to His. The motto of our lives becomes: "Thy will be done!" We don't come to God on our terms, but His, because He is sovereign and we cannot dictate conditions to God. We all have a throne of our heart and must give it up to Christ's rule so that we are no longer living for ourselves, but for Him. This is not the easiest life, no bed of roses or rose garden, but it's the most rewarding and best life--the more abundant life.
All that God gave us is only stewardship and we will be held accountable for it. This includes our wealth, time, resources, talents, gifts, skills, plans, children, future, intelligence, opportunities, and especially our faith, which is given, not achieved, and we are to put it to work and sow seeds and cultivate fruit--no fruit, no faith. In fact, Paul said, "Who makes you to differ? What do you have that you didn't receive?" (Cf. 1 Cor. 4:7). When we are faithful in our stewardship, God blesses us and we bear more fruit, because He who is faithful in little, shall be faithful in much. We must come to the realization that all we own and possess belongs ultimately to God (Psalm 24:1 says the earth and the fullness thereof belongs to Him).
All we are is stewards; even our righteousness is God's gift to us, not our gift to God. Actually, we don't own anything, and only in Christ can we learn not to be materialistic and we can truly "possess our possessions" per Obadiah 17. The world has alluring things to offer, but it can only offer things, love cannot be purchased nor and is immeasurable--you cannot ask for two pounds of love!
Christ can demand all because He gave all and our crosses pale in comparison to His, and He isn't asking us to give up anything He didn't. He gave up His throne and the independent prerogatives of His deity to save us, suffering all the shame and pain on our behalf--all He asks of us doesn't compare and we can be sure that He meant it when He said in Matt. 11:28, ESV, "For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." We have to stop making demands on God and trying to get our way--He knows best. Our very lives are not our own anymore, but a living sacrifice--He wants us to live for Him by the power of the Holy Spirit in us.
All the rules that God ordains are for our own good and not to keep us from enjoying ourselves--God isn't a Cosmic Killjoy trying to keep us from having fun. The rules that applied for Moses apply today, because moral principles are timeless and based on God's character and, therefore, do not ever change--we don't change our values with the times or the whims of society. And so we must realize that God's rules are the best rules and we function best in accord with them--the Bible is our Owner's Manual. God demands exclusive loyalty and will not tolerate any competition because He's a jealous God and anything that comes between you and God is idolatry. Soli Deo Gloria!
Christ did all He could to discourage halfhearted followers who were more fans and groupies than worshipers and disciples. He wasn't trying to win a popularity contest and in His economy quality outranks quantity. He constantly admonished them to count the cost--yes salvation is costs, but it costs more not to be saved! Grace is free, but not cheap; the Lord demands our all, He doesn't want our achievements, but our obedience--in short, He wants us and all we are.
But He freely gives us all things to enjoy (cf. 1 Tim. 6:17), and the only way He can pour His riches into our hands s if they are empty. In God's economy emptying comes before filling. We don't think our lives are anything to be compared to what we gain in Christ: to live is Christ, to die is gain! The only condition we need to come to Christ is a bankrupt soul that has stopped trying to save itself and started to trust in Christ.
Yes, salvation is an expensive proposition, but it's worth it! We offer ourselves as living sacrifices only to receive ourselves back, renewed in the image of Christ. He wants to change our way of thinking and a whole outlook on life itself. Yes, we must come to full, absolute surrender to Christ per Rom. 12:1 and also must keep on yielding our will to His. The motto of our lives becomes: "Thy will be done!" We don't come to God on our terms, but His, because He is sovereign and we cannot dictate conditions to God. We all have a throne of our heart and must give it up to Christ's rule so that we are no longer living for ourselves, but for Him. This is not the easiest life, no bed of roses or rose garden, but it's the most rewarding and best life--the more abundant life.
All that God gave us is only stewardship and we will be held accountable for it. This includes our wealth, time, resources, talents, gifts, skills, plans, children, future, intelligence, opportunities, and especially our faith, which is given, not achieved, and we are to put it to work and sow seeds and cultivate fruit--no fruit, no faith. In fact, Paul said, "Who makes you to differ? What do you have that you didn't receive?" (Cf. 1 Cor. 4:7). When we are faithful in our stewardship, God blesses us and we bear more fruit, because He who is faithful in little, shall be faithful in much. We must come to the realization that all we own and possess belongs ultimately to God (Psalm 24:1 says the earth and the fullness thereof belongs to Him).
All we are is stewards; even our righteousness is God's gift to us, not our gift to God. Actually, we don't own anything, and only in Christ can we learn not to be materialistic and we can truly "possess our possessions" per Obadiah 17. The world has alluring things to offer, but it can only offer things, love cannot be purchased nor and is immeasurable--you cannot ask for two pounds of love!
Christ can demand all because He gave all and our crosses pale in comparison to His, and He isn't asking us to give up anything He didn't. He gave up His throne and the independent prerogatives of His deity to save us, suffering all the shame and pain on our behalf--all He asks of us doesn't compare and we can be sure that He meant it when He said in Matt. 11:28, ESV, "For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." We have to stop making demands on God and trying to get our way--He knows best. Our very lives are not our own anymore, but a living sacrifice--He wants us to live for Him by the power of the Holy Spirit in us.
All the rules that God ordains are for our own good and not to keep us from enjoying ourselves--God isn't a Cosmic Killjoy trying to keep us from having fun. The rules that applied for Moses apply today, because moral principles are timeless and based on God's character and, therefore, do not ever change--we don't change our values with the times or the whims of society. And so we must realize that God's rules are the best rules and we function best in accord with them--the Bible is our Owner's Manual. God demands exclusive loyalty and will not tolerate any competition because He's a jealous God and anything that comes between you and God is idolatry. Soli Deo Gloria!
Sunday, May 15, 2016
Each Man For Himself
This is the survival tactic from the survival instinct of primitive man (really from the caveman era) before man was settled in a social setting and became a social being (marriage and family were the first institutions). The phrase sounds like what is shouted as the crew announces to abandon ship and the women and children have been evacuated, and now it's survival of the fittest. Look out for the old philosophy of "Look out for Number One!"
Today hermits are rare and it would take considerable survival skill to remain one in today's modern high-tech society. We are all interconnected and need each other--it really does take a village to raise a child in that a family cannot do it alone (Plato actually said that the state is better equipped to raise good citizens than the parents, but we believe in the sanctity of the family as having authority over the state). If you've ever seen the "preppers" on TV, you know what fending for oneself means, they must be trained and have reserves to withstand any type of disaster. Some of these types become highly fanatical and their primary drive in life is preparing for disaster as more than a hobbyhorse--it's an obsession to them showing lack of faith in God disguised as a veneer of human wisdom.
Is this type of philosophy biblical? The Word tells us to love our neighbor as ourselves and that means feeding him when he is hungry and sheltering him in our home if we can. This hardly describes a doctrine of taking care of yourself first and let the chips fall where they may. When the chips are down we must keep the faith in God that He will come through and keep on supplying our needs as He promised come what may! We have a higher calling and are held to a higher standard than the world. As Jesus said, "I was hungry and you gave me food...." Always remember, God is our Provider and He will see to it our legitimate needs are met.
We are responsible to take care of ourselves, but not at the expense of being exclusive and refusing to share God's blessings with others. God blesses us and saves us so that we can be a blessing (cf. Zech. 8:13). In summation: We are not for ourselves but for Christ; we let God be for us and we are about the Lord's business, not ours, each looking out for the interests of one another; what kind of ethics this demonstrates to others is the old "Iron Rule" of paganism whereby might made right.
Today hermits are rare and it would take considerable survival skill to remain one in today's modern high-tech society. We are all interconnected and need each other--it really does take a village to raise a child in that a family cannot do it alone (Plato actually said that the state is better equipped to raise good citizens than the parents, but we believe in the sanctity of the family as having authority over the state). If you've ever seen the "preppers" on TV, you know what fending for oneself means, they must be trained and have reserves to withstand any type of disaster. Some of these types become highly fanatical and their primary drive in life is preparing for disaster as more than a hobbyhorse--it's an obsession to them showing lack of faith in God disguised as a veneer of human wisdom.
Is this type of philosophy biblical? The Word tells us to love our neighbor as ourselves and that means feeding him when he is hungry and sheltering him in our home if we can. This hardly describes a doctrine of taking care of yourself first and let the chips fall where they may. When the chips are down we must keep the faith in God that He will come through and keep on supplying our needs as He promised come what may! We have a higher calling and are held to a higher standard than the world. As Jesus said, "I was hungry and you gave me food...." Always remember, God is our Provider and He will see to it our legitimate needs are met.
We are responsible to take care of ourselves, but not at the expense of being exclusive and refusing to share God's blessings with others. God blesses us and saves us so that we can be a blessing (cf. Zech. 8:13). In summation: We are not for ourselves but for Christ; we let God be for us and we are about the Lord's business, not ours, each looking out for the interests of one another; what kind of ethics this demonstrates to others is the old "Iron Rule" of paganism whereby might made right.
Caveat: We are not to be so concerned about our own welfare that we have little concern for others--this is self-preservation (a natural instinct) run amuck. Soli Deo Gloria!
Wednesday, October 29, 2014
Getting What You Want
It has been said that when the gods are angry with us, they answer our prayers. Some Greek philosophers taught to only pray for good things because we don't know what good things are! Many a preacher has done an exposition on unanswered prayer or when God says "no." Remember that He said "no" to Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, so He certainly can do so to us. Jesus does sympathize with our plight or dilemma. Usually, they say that God is just telling us to wait, or that He has something better; a negative reply is for our own good.
God also says "yes" to our prayers when He is really saying, "Okay, have it your way." As they say, "Be careful what you pray for; you may get it! He alone knows what is best for us and is always interested in our welfare and works on our behalf, whether we want it or not. Some of the ancient Greeks would only pray for good things because they didn't know what good things were, and they left the option open to God. Just like wondering why God says "no," we should also wonder why He says "yes," just the same. Are we praying, "Thy will be done?"
Some people get all they want and still aren't happy. God has His glory in mind front and center: We should always respond, "Why me Lord?" Living hell has been described as the place where everyone gets what they want--and have no capacity to enjoy it. I've heard of millionaires who have everything to live on and nothing to live for.
Some brethren believe God gives us a carte blanche or a blank check to get from God what we want as long as we abide by the right formula. God isn't a genie or a vending machine! Prayer is not to get our way, but to tap into God's will and get done through us. "I venture not to speak of but what Christ has accomplished through me" (Rom. 15:18). Psalm 106:15 says, "He gave them what they asked, but sent a wasting disease among them." Another translation renders it: "He gave them their request, but sent leanness into their souls." Think of the parable of the prodigal son who got what he wanted only to finally come to an end of himself and return to God in repentance. God is really teaching Israel a lesson to trust in Providence.
We should always pray for God's will to be done, not ours; believe me, we would mess up our lives if we always got our way--"Father knows best." The best prayer we can pray is simply: "Thy will be done!" Even Jesus had to struggle whether He'd submit to the Father's plan or not. I am an example of a person who usually got his own way and now realizes the wisdom of God despite myself. We need to thank God, that in His wisdom, He denies some of our requests and we cannot boastfully say, "I did it my way." Soli Deo Gloria!
God also says "yes" to our prayers when He is really saying, "Okay, have it your way." As they say, "Be careful what you pray for; you may get it! He alone knows what is best for us and is always interested in our welfare and works on our behalf, whether we want it or not. Some of the ancient Greeks would only pray for good things because they didn't know what good things were, and they left the option open to God. Just like wondering why God says "no," we should also wonder why He says "yes," just the same. Are we praying, "Thy will be done?"
Some people get all they want and still aren't happy. God has His glory in mind front and center: We should always respond, "Why me Lord?" Living hell has been described as the place where everyone gets what they want--and have no capacity to enjoy it. I've heard of millionaires who have everything to live on and nothing to live for.
Some brethren believe God gives us a carte blanche or a blank check to get from God what we want as long as we abide by the right formula. God isn't a genie or a vending machine! Prayer is not to get our way, but to tap into God's will and get done through us. "I venture not to speak of but what Christ has accomplished through me" (Rom. 15:18). Psalm 106:15 says, "He gave them what they asked, but sent a wasting disease among them." Another translation renders it: "He gave them their request, but sent leanness into their souls." Think of the parable of the prodigal son who got what he wanted only to finally come to an end of himself and return to God in repentance. God is really teaching Israel a lesson to trust in Providence.
We should always pray for God's will to be done, not ours; believe me, we would mess up our lives if we always got our way--"Father knows best." The best prayer we can pray is simply: "Thy will be done!" Even Jesus had to struggle whether He'd submit to the Father's plan or not. I am an example of a person who usually got his own way and now realizes the wisdom of God despite myself. We need to thank God, that in His wisdom, He denies some of our requests and we cannot boastfully say, "I did it my way." Soli Deo Gloria!
Sunday, January 5, 2014
Are You Content?
Ever hear of the phrase "he who dies with the most toys wins?" We have become a materialistic society that is trying to serve money, or mammon, as Jesus called it; he also said you cannot serve God and mammon. We are to be content with what we have and not to covet: it was this command that convicted Paul of sin. Sinners use people and love things; the godly use things (to God's glory) and love people. Billy Graham cites a man who says that it is not the abundance of our possessions that makes us rich, but the fewness of our wants. "The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want...." A. W. Tozer, in The Pursuit of God, says that there is a blessedness in possessing nothing: when we possess nothing (i.e., claim exclusive rights to and see things as "mine" and "my" instead of God's in the vein of selfishness), then we own all. In Obadiah God says that Israel "shall possess its possessions." Corrie ten Boom says to "hold all things loosely." We are only stewards: God actually owns everything we are using for His glory.
This life is only a staging ground to prepare for eternity and blessings are only God's way of testing us. "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of God." The poor usually have a better attitude toward riches and often enjoy the little things of life more than the rich: there are those who are rich, with everything to live on, and nothing to live for. I recall The Beatles' song that goes, "I don't care too much for money; money can't buy me, love." There is an abundance of blessings that money cannot buy and these are the best things in life. Money can buy food, but not appetite and time, but not leisure, and a bed, but not sleep. Blessings come only from God. Sometimes it is a curse to get everything we want, because we may not get the ability to enjoy it, like the rich man who had laid up treasures for himself and didn't realize that that day his soul would be required of him.
God has chosen the poor in this world to be rich in faith, and the rich and poor have this in common: "God is the maker of them both." The song goes, "As rich as you are, it is better by far, to be young at heart." Paul emphasized contentment and said that he would be content to have food and clothing. Hebrews 13:5 says to be "content with what you have." The desire for things and money can buy a lot of things, never can be satisfied; we don't want to get caught up in this never-ending rat race if you will--even if you win, you're still a rat (acc. to Lily Tomlin).
However, on the positive side, God has given us all things to enjoy (cf. 1 Tim. 6:10), and there is nothing inherently wrong with things but only when they keep us from putting God first. Having too much of the devil's delicacies can keep us from having an appetite for heavenly things though.
Try to see things in light of eternity and stewardship, and not become too secure ("Woe to those who are at ease in Zion" cf. Amos 6:1)) in our thinking that God can't take away, as surely as He can bless: I have been there and the song goes: "You don't know what you've got, till it's gone." Job said, "The Lord gives, the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord." You don't really know that Christ is all you need until Christ is all you have, you might say. Billy Graham says it well when he tells of a rich man who came to him and said he had everything to live on, and nothing to live for.
The key is that we own naught: "The earth is the Lord's, and the fullness thereof." It is not how much of our money we give to God, but how much of God's money we keep for our stewardship to His glory." Remember, "For where your treasure is, there your heart shall be also," (cf. Matt. 6:21) Soli Deo Gloria!
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