1 Kings 6 - Life Group
In this chapter the author describes in detail the building of the Temple of God. It is referred to as God's house or the house several times. This is where God will live. But it is of course where God's people will come to worship. The next chapter will describe the house Solomon is building for himself. His house, by the way, is bigger than God's house. And the throwaway line, "and he built a house just like it for his Egyptian bride." Wow.
Anyway back to 6. There is a very detailed description of the stages of it being built. We can almost see it going up. First the foundation then the stone walls. Then the wood all around so that the stone can no longer be seen. Then the special floors of cypress wood. Then the walls are inlaid with gold. I think just the inner rooms are inlaid with gold but I am not sure. The doors are described, they move on pivots. If you have ever gone to Israel and seen all the stone monumental buildings at the archaeological sites you might forget that this is just the skeleton. In their day the stonework was covered. In many cases the stone was not seen. It was covered by wood paneling. It was painted or covered by tapestries. We forget that when we see the Temple wall.
The commentator takes this image of house and moves it to us today. We are God's house. God dwells in us now, instead of in a temple of stone and wood and gold. Jesus came and said no longer will you worship in Jerusalem. You will worship God in spirit and in truth.
And corporately God dwells in his church. We the body of Christ are his living stones. We are his house. Solomon's house for God took seven years. Our Body of Christ and our individual temple to God is still under construction.
A family lives in a house. We are God's family. As adopted sons we are relations. We are dependent on one another spiritually. Sometimes we help each other financially too. We give to missions to poorer parts of the family of God in other countries. We often give to each other when we are in need. He mentions the Greek word for house is oikos. This is the basis of our English word economy. The family of God is interdependent like an economy.
As our house of God is still under construction we live in expectancy that God will continue to grow us and mature us and will finally accept us into his kingdom, the heavenly mansion prepared for us. We help each other along the way and encourage each other.
We had Life Group last night. I continue to marvel. What a weird group we are! Not to say motley, this is a very gifted group. But we all have our quirks. CL is continuing to teach. I just have to open meetings and sort of move things along. CL pretty much demands that of me. But there are so many people who can pray, teach, lead prayer, act as amazing hosts. I do very little but sit back. That is how I see myself, sitting back.
We were at the Thomas' again last night. They have such a beautiful house and entertain so lovingly. We overstayed our welcome a bit I am sorry to say.
We split up to pray at the end, men and women split up. We found that there have been many answers to prayer. This includes major steps forward in my effort to close the company at work. Also our prayers for relationship healing among my siblings has been answered too. We still have some major requests so God is not finished there either.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Monday, July 13, 2009
Trusting God for Guidance
Worried about guidance
I'm reading the last chapters of Packer's Knowing God. It is really hard to just flow through this, for me anyway. There is too much to think about. Sometimes I brood about it, like the last chapter on Romans that speaks of God's adequacy to save us. Something about that is hard for me.
But I am mostly sanguine about guidance, finally, after so many years of getting it wrong.
I believe if you are seeking to be a disciple of God you can mostly trust your skills and desires to guide you.
Some people have their life plan lined out for them. At least it looks that way from the outside. Some people will testify to that too. Great for them. I've never been like that. I was hoping someone would tell me what I was called to do. But it never happened. Silly I know. For one thing I'm such a curmudgeon. If someone really did try to tell me I would likely have not listened anyway. I am pretty hard to tell anything. So the concept that some angelic person was going to guide me is ludicrous. And yet it was a fantasy of mine.
My life is not straightforward. I cannot say there has been a logic to my life. I've never been able to see one. But I trust God has led me, most of the time. I think it has been good in God's eyes. He is subtle enough guide me into the paths of his choosing. I have to believe that.
There is scriptural reason for thinking so. Packer lists some. I will give you some of his.
Isaiah 58:11 assures us that if the people repent and obey, "the LORD will guide you always."
Psalm 25 "Good and upright is the LORD, therefore he instructs sinners in his ways. He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way ... " A sinner I am. Humble I am working on.
James 1:5 "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives to all men generously and without reproaching, and it will be given him." (RSV) Notice God says without reproaching. How wonderful a promise that is. There are no stupid questions. And the answer might be right in front of you.
Over time I have learned not to expect direct words from God. Yes I think I have heard direct words. But often I get logical reasons why I should do so-and-so, not so much a Moses like pronouncement. God is wonderful enough to explain it to me, most of the time. I think this is God's guidance as much as any other oracle might be. It might seem to come from my brain.. But I trust that my commitment to God insures God will often work through what seems a natural means.
The loud disclaimer must be made that we have the Bible as a rule for the limits of what God would call us to. God will not ask me to do something against the ten commandments, as much as from time to time I'd like to pretend to myself. No matter how much I might think it good to lie or steal, it is always sin.
God says in Romans 12:1-2 "Let your minds be remade and your whole nature thus transformed." "Then you will be able to discern the will of God and to know what is good and acceptable and perfect."
We can be confident that God can guide us. He works with us individually. We can be confident God will guide us. Each of us has a unique call for our lives. It will not look like anyone else. Most of us are called to be "regular joes". God needs good regular joe servants. People are watching. You never know who. God is using you.
If you desire to obey, God is able to use you. Psalm 119 is all about God's readiness to teach those of us ready to obey. And God takes whatever we give and keeps it.
Psalm 23:3 "he guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake." Remember God seeks his glory in our lives. He will be glorified in ways that we may never know, at least not before the day of judgment. This passage underscores that God will lead us to act righteously, that is according to the rules of right living the Bible describes. He will never lead us into sinful, hurtful acts.
But people go wrong if they think they must get a direct word from God for everything they do or say. I've tried that too. It will make you neurotic. It will make you much too introspective. Most of the things God calls us to are just prosaic choices we make. They involve inclinations, preferences and such. And yet God is guiding.
Certain jobs would be outside God's will. God tells us to find a believing spouse. Do not be "unequally yoked" means to me to find someone with the same level of commitment to God, not just being a believer. One will save oneself a lot of grief later if you do that, no matter how gorgeous the person you have you eye on. It is not enough if they are simply a Christian. They should be the same level of disciple you are.
Outside of that there is a lot of leeway in choosing a job or a spouse. A lot of that will involve your God given talents and passion and preferences of people of the opposite sex.
You can try demanding that God give you a word about your job or a spouse. If he does great. If he doesn't you can trust your inclinations. If you do get a direct word I think you should get it confirmed by a mature Christian that you trust. If it is a word from God it should line up and others should be able to check you if there is a problem. We should not trust ourselves totally about revelation. We are all so liable to mistakes in hearing God.
All of us should be willing to share these revelations to see if they line up with scripture and with a confirming word by someone who knows us. I may not be altogether too good at this but it makes it no less true.
I'm reading the last chapters of Packer's Knowing God. It is really hard to just flow through this, for me anyway. There is too much to think about. Sometimes I brood about it, like the last chapter on Romans that speaks of God's adequacy to save us. Something about that is hard for me.
But I am mostly sanguine about guidance, finally, after so many years of getting it wrong.
I believe if you are seeking to be a disciple of God you can mostly trust your skills and desires to guide you.
Some people have their life plan lined out for them. At least it looks that way from the outside. Some people will testify to that too. Great for them. I've never been like that. I was hoping someone would tell me what I was called to do. But it never happened. Silly I know. For one thing I'm such a curmudgeon. If someone really did try to tell me I would likely have not listened anyway. I am pretty hard to tell anything. So the concept that some angelic person was going to guide me is ludicrous. And yet it was a fantasy of mine.
My life is not straightforward. I cannot say there has been a logic to my life. I've never been able to see one. But I trust God has led me, most of the time. I think it has been good in God's eyes. He is subtle enough guide me into the paths of his choosing. I have to believe that.
There is scriptural reason for thinking so. Packer lists some. I will give you some of his.
Isaiah 58:11 assures us that if the people repent and obey, "the LORD will guide you always."
Psalm 25 "Good and upright is the LORD, therefore he instructs sinners in his ways. He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way ... " A sinner I am. Humble I am working on.
James 1:5 "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives to all men generously and without reproaching, and it will be given him." (RSV) Notice God says without reproaching. How wonderful a promise that is. There are no stupid questions. And the answer might be right in front of you.
Over time I have learned not to expect direct words from God. Yes I think I have heard direct words. But often I get logical reasons why I should do so-and-so, not so much a Moses like pronouncement. God is wonderful enough to explain it to me, most of the time. I think this is God's guidance as much as any other oracle might be. It might seem to come from my brain.. But I trust that my commitment to God insures God will often work through what seems a natural means.
The loud disclaimer must be made that we have the Bible as a rule for the limits of what God would call us to. God will not ask me to do something against the ten commandments, as much as from time to time I'd like to pretend to myself. No matter how much I might think it good to lie or steal, it is always sin.
God says in Romans 12:1-2 "Let your minds be remade and your whole nature thus transformed." "Then you will be able to discern the will of God and to know what is good and acceptable and perfect."
We can be confident that God can guide us. He works with us individually. We can be confident God will guide us. Each of us has a unique call for our lives. It will not look like anyone else. Most of us are called to be "regular joes". God needs good regular joe servants. People are watching. You never know who. God is using you.
If you desire to obey, God is able to use you. Psalm 119 is all about God's readiness to teach those of us ready to obey. And God takes whatever we give and keeps it.
Psalm 23:3 "he guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake." Remember God seeks his glory in our lives. He will be glorified in ways that we may never know, at least not before the day of judgment. This passage underscores that God will lead us to act righteously, that is according to the rules of right living the Bible describes. He will never lead us into sinful, hurtful acts.
But people go wrong if they think they must get a direct word from God for everything they do or say. I've tried that too. It will make you neurotic. It will make you much too introspective. Most of the things God calls us to are just prosaic choices we make. They involve inclinations, preferences and such. And yet God is guiding.
Certain jobs would be outside God's will. God tells us to find a believing spouse. Do not be "unequally yoked" means to me to find someone with the same level of commitment to God, not just being a believer. One will save oneself a lot of grief later if you do that, no matter how gorgeous the person you have you eye on. It is not enough if they are simply a Christian. They should be the same level of disciple you are.
Outside of that there is a lot of leeway in choosing a job or a spouse. A lot of that will involve your God given talents and passion and preferences of people of the opposite sex.
You can try demanding that God give you a word about your job or a spouse. If he does great. If he doesn't you can trust your inclinations. If you do get a direct word I think you should get it confirmed by a mature Christian that you trust. If it is a word from God it should line up and others should be able to check you if there is a problem. We should not trust ourselves totally about revelation. We are all so liable to mistakes in hearing God.
All of us should be willing to share these revelations to see if they line up with scripture and with a confirming word by someone who knows us. I may not be altogether too good at this but it makes it no less true.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Gnosis
Gnosis
I just wrote a blog that conjectured about 2 Timothy and it's intent. I am making a conjecture. My professor, for whom I first wrote a paper about that did not agree with me. He thought the words of the letter did not support my contention.
But you know I thought God told me this. I thought it was revelation. I was so excited. I thought I had discovered something new under the sun. God had revealed something to me that no one else knew. I was special.
That is to me how gnosis works. I know something else no one else knows. That makes me chosen, perhaps more "saved" than you. I am tempted to think knowing this confirms that I am closer to God than anyone else.
Putting it like this exposes it for the foolishness that it is. Conjectures about arcane Biblical truths like this one cannot be corroborated. Maybe we can find out in heaven. We can ask Paul. (I bet he gets tired of all the questions, hehe.)
I still think I'm right. But I know it gives me no special status. I hope that I can listen to objections and laugh with anyone who laughs at my idea. Well maybe not that last thing, but truly it is of no eternal import.
When we are in heaven our minds will still be finite. I do not think we will have instant knowledge of all things. In fact I do not think this will be possible. We are, after all, still the created being. We will never be God, maybe like him in some way, but never omniscient like God.
Perhaps we can take classes in Biblical historicity so we can find out all those things not explained in the Bible. I think I will be ready to sign up as soon as I get there.
I just wrote a blog that conjectured about 2 Timothy and it's intent. I am making a conjecture. My professor, for whom I first wrote a paper about that did not agree with me. He thought the words of the letter did not support my contention.
But you know I thought God told me this. I thought it was revelation. I was so excited. I thought I had discovered something new under the sun. God had revealed something to me that no one else knew. I was special.
That is to me how gnosis works. I know something else no one else knows. That makes me chosen, perhaps more "saved" than you. I am tempted to think knowing this confirms that I am closer to God than anyone else.
Putting it like this exposes it for the foolishness that it is. Conjectures about arcane Biblical truths like this one cannot be corroborated. Maybe we can find out in heaven. We can ask Paul. (I bet he gets tired of all the questions, hehe.)
I still think I'm right. But I know it gives me no special status. I hope that I can listen to objections and laugh with anyone who laughs at my idea. Well maybe not that last thing, but truly it is of no eternal import.
When we are in heaven our minds will still be finite. I do not think we will have instant knowledge of all things. In fact I do not think this will be possible. We are, after all, still the created being. We will never be God, maybe like him in some way, but never omniscient like God.
Perhaps we can take classes in Biblical historicity so we can find out all those things not explained in the Bible. I think I will be ready to sign up as soon as I get there.
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Acts 10 - Being God's Agents
Acts 10 - Being God's agents
It strikes me that one point about the Centurion's conversion is that people were directly involved. Now that I rethink it perhaps I am laboring the point too hard. I don't want to make it some kind of rule. But somehow it is important that people be involved in conversion of others. We are God's agents.
In modern times usually an evangelist requires that a new Christian declare out loud in the presence of others his acceptance of his sinfulness, his request for forgiveness, his repentance, and his acceptance of Jesus as his savior. Perhaps he does it by repeating a memorized prayer or formula. The Catholic church understands itself to be an essential part of this salvation and sanctification. Anglicans show their acceptance of salvation through the rite of confirmation. Nowadays many have accepted the Anabaptist belief that one must be baptized as a consenting adult. Infant baptism is not effectual and a new convert must be rebaptized.
But when I read Acts 10 over again I was struck this time how Cornelius sees a clear vision (vs. 4-5) of God or an angel. But the angel, instead of instructing him to believe in Jesus, simply tells him to send for a close by evangelist (Peter). Why couldn't the angel tell him directly? Surely he could have. I wonder why not.
We hear that many Moslems and Jews are receiving visions of Jesus. Are they being converted on the spot? Or are they only sealed in their conversion by their reporting this vision to a believer and confessing that they accept the salvation that was offered to them in the vision? I'm sure God knows, I don't. But I suspect that the vast majority do find a Christian to tell the good news to, that they are now a believer in Christ. If they can safely join a church they do. Unfortunately some may have to keep their belief a secret for fear of reprisal.
Saul's conversion on the road to Damascus seems direct. He does not have to confess and declare his faith to anyone. He is instructed by Jesus to wait in Damascus for a man whom he will send. So there is an agent of God involved. Ananias does come to him to heal him of blindness. God does not do it directly. God loves and seems to require us to help one another. After this Saul came before the leaders in Jerusalem seemingly to confirm his conversion. The elders received him in fellowship. Saul may not have confessed like a modern new convert might but he did follow a custom and submit himself to the church through its leaders.
Practically speaking I don't think a vision by itself would be sufficient to save someone. If the person who receives such a clear vision does not share it with someone it will soon be forgotten, snatched away by the enemy of the saints. It would be like most dreams I have. I rarely remember a dream more than a few minutes after I wake up. Dreams, my dreams at least, are soon forgotten if I don't quickly share them or write them down. I think a vision, no matter how vivid, is much the same. If it is not shared and accepted the devil will quickly come and raise doubts in our mind. Satan will distract us. Satan will work to distort it. He will raise questions in our head as to what we really saw. We will become confused as to what really happened. Without the fellowship with and confirmation of another believer the excitement of it will soon be gone.
Cornelius hears the gospel from a man, an agent of God, and in the process God confirms his salvation by gifting the whole assembly with the Holy Spirit. This manifestation is not just for Cornelius, it is for the evangelists as well. They learn how wide is God's mercy. They are incredulous and remain so for quite a while actually. But God uses this as a learning process. In helping one another we learn and are ourselves blessed. God knows what he is doing when he insists that we be agents in bringing God's salvation to others. It is a good and joyful thing! It confirms and strengthens our faith as well as that of the new believer. In God' economy it works for our greatest good.
It strikes me that one point about the Centurion's conversion is that people were directly involved. Now that I rethink it perhaps I am laboring the point too hard. I don't want to make it some kind of rule. But somehow it is important that people be involved in conversion of others. We are God's agents.
In modern times usually an evangelist requires that a new Christian declare out loud in the presence of others his acceptance of his sinfulness, his request for forgiveness, his repentance, and his acceptance of Jesus as his savior. Perhaps he does it by repeating a memorized prayer or formula. The Catholic church understands itself to be an essential part of this salvation and sanctification. Anglicans show their acceptance of salvation through the rite of confirmation. Nowadays many have accepted the Anabaptist belief that one must be baptized as a consenting adult. Infant baptism is not effectual and a new convert must be rebaptized.
But when I read Acts 10 over again I was struck this time how Cornelius sees a clear vision (vs. 4-5) of God or an angel. But the angel, instead of instructing him to believe in Jesus, simply tells him to send for a close by evangelist (Peter). Why couldn't the angel tell him directly? Surely he could have. I wonder why not.
We hear that many Moslems and Jews are receiving visions of Jesus. Are they being converted on the spot? Or are they only sealed in their conversion by their reporting this vision to a believer and confessing that they accept the salvation that was offered to them in the vision? I'm sure God knows, I don't. But I suspect that the vast majority do find a Christian to tell the good news to, that they are now a believer in Christ. If they can safely join a church they do. Unfortunately some may have to keep their belief a secret for fear of reprisal.
Saul's conversion on the road to Damascus seems direct. He does not have to confess and declare his faith to anyone. He is instructed by Jesus to wait in Damascus for a man whom he will send. So there is an agent of God involved. Ananias does come to him to heal him of blindness. God does not do it directly. God loves and seems to require us to help one another. After this Saul came before the leaders in Jerusalem seemingly to confirm his conversion. The elders received him in fellowship. Saul may not have confessed like a modern new convert might but he did follow a custom and submit himself to the church through its leaders.
Practically speaking I don't think a vision by itself would be sufficient to save someone. If the person who receives such a clear vision does not share it with someone it will soon be forgotten, snatched away by the enemy of the saints. It would be like most dreams I have. I rarely remember a dream more than a few minutes after I wake up. Dreams, my dreams at least, are soon forgotten if I don't quickly share them or write them down. I think a vision, no matter how vivid, is much the same. If it is not shared and accepted the devil will quickly come and raise doubts in our mind. Satan will distract us. Satan will work to distort it. He will raise questions in our head as to what we really saw. We will become confused as to what really happened. Without the fellowship with and confirmation of another believer the excitement of it will soon be gone.
Cornelius hears the gospel from a man, an agent of God, and in the process God confirms his salvation by gifting the whole assembly with the Holy Spirit. This manifestation is not just for Cornelius, it is for the evangelists as well. They learn how wide is God's mercy. They are incredulous and remain so for quite a while actually. But God uses this as a learning process. In helping one another we learn and are ourselves blessed. God knows what he is doing when he insists that we be agents in bringing God's salvation to others. It is a good and joyful thing! It confirms and strengthens our faith as well as that of the new believer. In God' economy it works for our greatest good.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Psalm 107
Psalm 107
Read Psalm 107 and meditate on it's meaning for you.
This comes at a great time, after a recent blog about God’s judgment and our responsibility. Two points are filled in well with this psalm. First, four times in the psalm we have this refrain, “Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble; He delivered them out of their distresses.” (Verses 6, 13,19, 28) There are stories of four groups of people in distress. Sometimes they are in rebellion, sometimes not. But when they cry to God, whatever their situation God hears their cry and delivers them. And no mention is made of their being Israelites or not. One story is about being saved at sea. Israelites were almost never seamen. In our distress as a country let us cry out to the LORD right now.
Then soon after this refrain there is a second repeated verse: “Let them give thanks to the LORD for His lovingkindness, And for His wonders to the sons of men.” (verses 8, 15, 21, 31) After our deliverance it is wise to give God thanks. It is appropriate and necessary, for our own sakes to love and extol our God and remember his loving faithfulness when we ask. We need to look back and remember when he has done good things for us.
Secondly this psalm ends with a parable like admonition. Who is wise? Let him give heed to these things. And consider God’s lovingkindness (hesed). The commentator asks the question “In what practical ways are you gladly dependent on the Lord?” This is such a timely personal question for me. I know my dependence on God. But I am not glad about it. Yet I know God wants me to be glad. To put it in these stark words is helpful for me. I can see the problem more clearly. If I cannot gladly be dependent on God then I have not really understood his lovingkindness and faithfulness. And I have not understood in my heart his power and his presence to me. His nature is such that I can gladly be dependent and find that a good thing.
So where are you gladly dependent on God? Yes God wants us to be responsible. Responsibility is a good thing. But none of us is an island unto himself. We can fantasize that it is possible but in our heart of hearts we know it is not true. (I can see with a horror that my children have taken on my fantasy.) We need others and we need God. Do we chafe about it?
The thing is the only one who is entirely faithful is God. God is only one able to be entirely faithful. People cannot be even if they always wanted to be. They have other issues that do not include you. They cannot be always present as God can.
Without using those words I was asking God to help me with a situation last night. Will I trust God in a situation that I have no control over? I asked God to help me in a place of unbelief. This psalm helps me to see the nature of the problem. It boils down to will I trust God gladly. We all have places where we are not in control. Looking for a job after being laid off is like that. Lots of people are afraid they will soon lose their job and they sense a lack of control. Can we take it to God in our distress and gladly depend on God?
I think we should. Perhaps that has been a question for you. Psalm 107 gives four examples. In them we see God saying we should depend on him in all situations, no matter how bad they look. Call on God and give him the sacrifice of praise gladly when he delivers. So: I will cry out to God in my distress.
Read Psalm 107 and meditate on it's meaning for you.
This comes at a great time, after a recent blog about God’s judgment and our responsibility. Two points are filled in well with this psalm. First, four times in the psalm we have this refrain, “Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble; He delivered them out of their distresses.” (Verses 6, 13,19, 28) There are stories of four groups of people in distress. Sometimes they are in rebellion, sometimes not. But when they cry to God, whatever their situation God hears their cry and delivers them. And no mention is made of their being Israelites or not. One story is about being saved at sea. Israelites were almost never seamen. In our distress as a country let us cry out to the LORD right now.
Then soon after this refrain there is a second repeated verse: “Let them give thanks to the LORD for His lovingkindness, And for His wonders to the sons of men.” (verses 8, 15, 21, 31) After our deliverance it is wise to give God thanks. It is appropriate and necessary, for our own sakes to love and extol our God and remember his loving faithfulness when we ask. We need to look back and remember when he has done good things for us.
Secondly this psalm ends with a parable like admonition. Who is wise? Let him give heed to these things. And consider God’s lovingkindness (hesed). The commentator asks the question “In what practical ways are you gladly dependent on the Lord?” This is such a timely personal question for me. I know my dependence on God. But I am not glad about it. Yet I know God wants me to be glad. To put it in these stark words is helpful for me. I can see the problem more clearly. If I cannot gladly be dependent on God then I have not really understood his lovingkindness and faithfulness. And I have not understood in my heart his power and his presence to me. His nature is such that I can gladly be dependent and find that a good thing.
So where are you gladly dependent on God? Yes God wants us to be responsible. Responsibility is a good thing. But none of us is an island unto himself. We can fantasize that it is possible but in our heart of hearts we know it is not true. (I can see with a horror that my children have taken on my fantasy.) We need others and we need God. Do we chafe about it?
The thing is the only one who is entirely faithful is God. God is only one able to be entirely faithful. People cannot be even if they always wanted to be. They have other issues that do not include you. They cannot be always present as God can.
Without using those words I was asking God to help me with a situation last night. Will I trust God in a situation that I have no control over? I asked God to help me in a place of unbelief. This psalm helps me to see the nature of the problem. It boils down to will I trust God gladly. We all have places where we are not in control. Looking for a job after being laid off is like that. Lots of people are afraid they will soon lose their job and they sense a lack of control. Can we take it to God in our distress and gladly depend on God?
I think we should. Perhaps that has been a question for you. Psalm 107 gives four examples. In them we see God saying we should depend on him in all situations, no matter how bad they look. Call on God and give him the sacrifice of praise gladly when he delivers. So: I will cry out to God in my distress.
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Judgment
Judgment
Do you believe God still punishes today? Many people don't. One man I know was adamant on that score. He based it on God's love. God is a loving God. He knew (admitted) God was also righteous but he felt love was the most important attribute of God. God would never punish people, relying on his love to bring them back.
I have heard others say since Jesus died on the cross for all our sins things are different now. The God of the Old Testament is now relating to us differently. He punished in the old covenant. We are under a new covenant now, a covenant of grace.
But I think if you look at the experience of history you see a different story. I believe still judges individuals because he is righteous. He calls us to be righteous as well. And he still judges nations. Perhaps you can see it more as logical consequences of bad choices.
This country has seen itself as chosen. Many Christians have seen this country as like Israel taking over a promised land. Perhaps it was. But certainly no longer. As we have increasingly rejected God so God will reject us. Some seem to think they can say God does not exist and poof! he is gone. I guess if we are gods then we can create our own reality. What foolishness!
If we look at the record of the original chosen people we see God expected holiness and compassion out of his chosen people. Being special did not come without responsibility. Perhaps it is not punishment as much as it is consequences. As people in this country think they are entitled rather than thinking they are responsible then they will fall like ripe fruit.
People think that if they have an unwanted pregnancy they have the right to kill it because it is inconvenient. They do not have to be responsible for their actions.
If people get over committed financially and feel they have too much debt forget about being responsible for their actions, just declare bankruptcy. Blame it on someone else. Call yourself a victim. Demand that the government bail you out.
If we get sick we have a right to health care. We don't have to pay for it. Get that rich guy over there to pay for it. He won't mind.
If we are hungry we have a right to food, and TV, and transportation, and a nice house. Rather than thinking about working for it, being responsible. Nevermind giving up luxuries, tightening the belt, eating beans and rice for a time, getting a temporary second job. Responsibility would be to abstain for a time to pay off the bills.
If one gets a girl pregnant, be a man, take responsibility, marry her or if she will not support her in carrying the child to term and giving the baby up for adoption. Take responsibility for your actions as far as you can. And you can more than you at first think.
People can persevere more than they might think. The situation often seem the most impossible just before the breakthrough. Trust God to see you through. God loves a man/woman who perseveres.
The same man who said God is mostly love also rejected the idea that our nation was chosen. Perhaps he saw the other side, being chosen come with responsibility. God demanded that his chosen Israel be faithful to him. God told them that if they were not, he would punish them.
The rest of the world is jealous of our country, our lifestyle. Like the nations around Israel it is entirely possible we will be destroyed from without or from within by immigrants who feel disenfranchised. David Wilkerson has recently predicted we will see many fires like a war, in our cities very soon. I am scared.
I feel like Jeremiah, predicting doom. When it happens I will be affected just like everyone else. Jeremiah became a refugee. I don't think it is impossible that I too could be a refugee. I will lose everything like everyone else. I have lose 30% of my retirement nest egg. Many have lost more. But it is probably not over. I hope things get better but things could get much worse. I can imagine it, can you?
Do you believe God still punishes today? Many people don't. One man I know was adamant on that score. He based it on God's love. God is a loving God. He knew (admitted) God was also righteous but he felt love was the most important attribute of God. God would never punish people, relying on his love to bring them back.
I have heard others say since Jesus died on the cross for all our sins things are different now. The God of the Old Testament is now relating to us differently. He punished in the old covenant. We are under a new covenant now, a covenant of grace.
But I think if you look at the experience of history you see a different story. I believe still judges individuals because he is righteous. He calls us to be righteous as well. And he still judges nations. Perhaps you can see it more as logical consequences of bad choices.
This country has seen itself as chosen. Many Christians have seen this country as like Israel taking over a promised land. Perhaps it was. But certainly no longer. As we have increasingly rejected God so God will reject us. Some seem to think they can say God does not exist and poof! he is gone. I guess if we are gods then we can create our own reality. What foolishness!
If we look at the record of the original chosen people we see God expected holiness and compassion out of his chosen people. Being special did not come without responsibility. Perhaps it is not punishment as much as it is consequences. As people in this country think they are entitled rather than thinking they are responsible then they will fall like ripe fruit.
People think that if they have an unwanted pregnancy they have the right to kill it because it is inconvenient. They do not have to be responsible for their actions.
If people get over committed financially and feel they have too much debt forget about being responsible for their actions, just declare bankruptcy. Blame it on someone else. Call yourself a victim. Demand that the government bail you out.
If we get sick we have a right to health care. We don't have to pay for it. Get that rich guy over there to pay for it. He won't mind.
If we are hungry we have a right to food, and TV, and transportation, and a nice house. Rather than thinking about working for it, being responsible. Nevermind giving up luxuries, tightening the belt, eating beans and rice for a time, getting a temporary second job. Responsibility would be to abstain for a time to pay off the bills.
If one gets a girl pregnant, be a man, take responsibility, marry her or if she will not support her in carrying the child to term and giving the baby up for adoption. Take responsibility for your actions as far as you can. And you can more than you at first think.
People can persevere more than they might think. The situation often seem the most impossible just before the breakthrough. Trust God to see you through. God loves a man/woman who perseveres.
The same man who said God is mostly love also rejected the idea that our nation was chosen. Perhaps he saw the other side, being chosen come with responsibility. God demanded that his chosen Israel be faithful to him. God told them that if they were not, he would punish them.
The rest of the world is jealous of our country, our lifestyle. Like the nations around Israel it is entirely possible we will be destroyed from without or from within by immigrants who feel disenfranchised. David Wilkerson has recently predicted we will see many fires like a war, in our cities very soon. I am scared.
I feel like Jeremiah, predicting doom. When it happens I will be affected just like everyone else. Jeremiah became a refugee. I don't think it is impossible that I too could be a refugee. I will lose everything like everyone else. I have lose 30% of my retirement nest egg. Many have lost more. But it is probably not over. I hope things get better but things could get much worse. I can imagine it, can you?
Friday, June 19, 2009
Spiritual Warfare
Wednesday night we had some spiritual warfare. Perhaps it was because our regular leaders were not there. The a/c was out. It was really hot. Rick and I sweat a lot. I think we both lost five pounds. I was tempted to run out of the room. I can, the inmates cannot.
Our TV - DVD setup could not be found. Something about they couldn't find the key. They didn't know where it was. We got conflicting excuses. So we worshiped while we waited.
Then God spoke to Rick. He said this the last song and then Rob will speak. I don't think anyone really paid attention. After the song he said. "No I'm serious, it's time for Rob to speak."
Rob had an inspired message. He spoke of Jackie Pullinger and speaking in tongues as an exercise in breaking strongholds. It was inspired.
As Rob was finishing the TV-DVD cart showed up. We got to listen to the seventh lesson of Alpha's Life Worth Living Course. Unfortunately we did not get to do small groups because we started so late. Rob's lesson substituted for small group time.
Some of the guys missed it. They insisted on writing letters during worship. We asked them to stop. Some did but they continued to have their minds far away. They were not open to receiving the great thing that God had for us all.
Our TV - DVD setup could not be found. Something about they couldn't find the key. They didn't know where it was. We got conflicting excuses. So we worshiped while we waited.
Then God spoke to Rick. He said this the last song and then Rob will speak. I don't think anyone really paid attention. After the song he said. "No I'm serious, it's time for Rob to speak."
Rob had an inspired message. He spoke of Jackie Pullinger and speaking in tongues as an exercise in breaking strongholds. It was inspired.
As Rob was finishing the TV-DVD cart showed up. We got to listen to the seventh lesson of Alpha's Life Worth Living Course. Unfortunately we did not get to do small groups because we started so late. Rob's lesson substituted for small group time.
Some of the guys missed it. They insisted on writing letters during worship. We asked them to stop. Some did but they continued to have their minds far away. They were not open to receiving the great thing that God had for us all.
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