"For if you believed Moses, you would believe me; for he wrote of me. 47 But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe my words?" (John 5:46-47).
In Jesus day the religious crowd claimed to believe the Old Testament, but they failed to believe in the one that the sum of the Old Testament pointed to, namely Jesus. They knew a lot about the bible, but they didn't really know God as he desired for them to know him. If they had they would have believed in Jesus who is the brightness of God's glory. The whole of the bible is not only to make us wise unto salvation in Jesus, but to cause us to grow in his grace and knowledge. Jesus said that one of the causes for why the religious crowd missed the whole reason for the bible is that they were more interested in their own glory rather than the glory of God (John 5:44). They wanted to be made much of more then wanting to make much of God. They loved the praises of men more then the praises of God. Many today are missing the whole point of the bible not only because they are not reading it, but because they are not seeking the glory of God. If you really want to know the bible don't read it as one would read a self help book looking for things that will suite your fancy. Instead, read it with a desire to seek and live for the glory of God.
Saturday, June 30, 2012
Friday, June 29, 2012
Leave your water pot behind you
"So the woman left her water jar and went away into town and said to the people, 29 "Come, see a man who told me all that I ever did. Can this be the Christ?" (John 4:28-29).
Notice that after the woman at the well had an encounter with Jesus she left her water jar behind and went back into town to tell others about what Jesus had done in her life. Why did she leave the water jar behind? Was she so excited about meeting the one who gives "living water" that she had forgotten why she came to the well in the first place? Perhaps, but more then likely she wanted so bad to tell others about what Jesus had done for her that she left the water jar behind so that it would not slow her down. There are so many spiritual applications (if you see one please share) that we can make here, but I will just focus on one. Sometimes we hold on to people, places or things so tightly, which might not be a sin in and of itself that it hinders us from doing what God is calling us to do. Jesus saves, sanctifies and satisfies by his grace power and love. He is our fountain of living water that never runs dry. We were created and saved to enjoy searching the depths of his ocean of love. We were also saved to share his love and spread his fame to all nations. Leave the water jar behind, serve the cause of Christ and he will do in and through you what only he can. It will be worth it all when we see Jesus.
Whatever It Takes
There's a voice calling me, from an old rugged tree
And He whispers draw closer to me
Leave this world far behind, There are new heights to climb
And a new place in Me you will find
And whatever it takes, to draw closer to You Lord That's what I'd be wiling to do And whatever it takes, to be more like you That's what I'd be willing to do
Take my houses and lands, Take my dreams and my plans. I place my who life in Your hands. And if you call me someday, To a land far away, Lord, I'll go and Your will obey.
And whatever it takes to draw closer to You, Lord, That's what I'll be willing to do. And whatever it takes for my will to break, That's what I'll be willing to do.
TAKE THE DEAREST THINGS TO ME, IF THAT'S HOW IT MUST BE TO DRAW ME CLOSER TO THEE LET THE DISSAPOINTMENTS COME,LONELY DAYS WITHOUT THE SUN IF THROUGH SORROW MORE LIKE YOU I'LL BECOME.
And whatever it takes to draw closer to You, Lord, That's what I'll be willing to do. And whatever it takes for my will to break, That's what I'll be willing to do.
Notice that after the woman at the well had an encounter with Jesus she left her water jar behind and went back into town to tell others about what Jesus had done in her life. Why did she leave the water jar behind? Was she so excited about meeting the one who gives "living water" that she had forgotten why she came to the well in the first place? Perhaps, but more then likely she wanted so bad to tell others about what Jesus had done for her that she left the water jar behind so that it would not slow her down. There are so many spiritual applications (if you see one please share) that we can make here, but I will just focus on one. Sometimes we hold on to people, places or things so tightly, which might not be a sin in and of itself that it hinders us from doing what God is calling us to do. Jesus saves, sanctifies and satisfies by his grace power and love. He is our fountain of living water that never runs dry. We were created and saved to enjoy searching the depths of his ocean of love. We were also saved to share his love and spread his fame to all nations. Leave the water jar behind, serve the cause of Christ and he will do in and through you what only he can. It will be worth it all when we see Jesus.
Whatever It Takes
There's a voice calling me, from an old rugged tree
And He whispers draw closer to me
Leave this world far behind, There are new heights to climb
And a new place in Me you will find
And whatever it takes, to draw closer to You Lord That's what I'd be wiling to do And whatever it takes, to be more like you That's what I'd be willing to do
Take my houses and lands, Take my dreams and my plans. I place my who life in Your hands. And if you call me someday, To a land far away, Lord, I'll go and Your will obey.
And whatever it takes to draw closer to You, Lord, That's what I'll be willing to do. And whatever it takes for my will to break, That's what I'll be willing to do.
TAKE THE DEAREST THINGS TO ME, IF THAT'S HOW IT MUST BE TO DRAW ME CLOSER TO THEE LET THE DISSAPOINTMENTS COME,LONELY DAYS WITHOUT THE SUN IF THROUGH SORROW MORE LIKE YOU I'LL BECOME.
And whatever it takes to draw closer to You, Lord, That's what I'll be willing to do. And whatever it takes for my will to break, That's what I'll be willing to do.
Friday, June 22, 2012
Integrity matters
"Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile! Nathanael saith unto him, Whence knowest thou me? Jesus answered and said unto him, Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee" (John 1:47-48).
In Proverbs we read, "A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, and favor is better than silver or gold" (Prov. 22:1).
Our word ought to be more valuable to us than gold. But sadly we live in a world that values money and material possessions more than their personal integrity. People today will not only lie, steal and cheat to get ahead, but they will do all these things and expect for God to give them His blessing. He will have to violate his own word to do so and he will not. Although many today may not value being men and women of integrity, God sure does. And what the God who holds our breath in his hands knows about us ought to matter to us more than anything in this world. Jesus said of Nathaniel, "Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile (deceit)!" What does Jesus see in you? Be a man, be a woman of integrity. It's worth more than gold.
In Proverbs we read, "A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, and favor is better than silver or gold" (Prov. 22:1).
Our word ought to be more valuable to us than gold. But sadly we live in a world that values money and material possessions more than their personal integrity. People today will not only lie, steal and cheat to get ahead, but they will do all these things and expect for God to give them His blessing. He will have to violate his own word to do so and he will not. Although many today may not value being men and women of integrity, God sure does. And what the God who holds our breath in his hands knows about us ought to matter to us more than anything in this world. Jesus said of Nathaniel, "Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile (deceit)!" What does Jesus see in you? Be a man, be a woman of integrity. It's worth more than gold.
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Obedience without compromise
"So Moses and Aaron were brought back to Pharaoh. And he said to them, "Go, serve the Lord your God. But which ones are to go?" Moses said, "We will go with our young and our old. We will go with our sons and daughters and with our flocks and herds, for we must hold a feast to the Lord." But he said to them, "The Lord be with you, if ever I let you and your little ones go! Look, you have some evil purpose in mind. No! Go, the men among you, and serve the Lord, for that is what you are asking..." (Ex 10:8-11).
When the Plagues became to much for Pharaoh to deal with he would reluctantly agree to let God's people go. But he would only agree to let them go under certain conditions. One such condition was that he would only allow the men to go and worship the Lord. The women and children were to stay behind and remain slaves in Egypt. In the same way the god of this world, if he fails to keep us blinded to the freedom we can find in Jesus and slaves to sin, he will switch to plan b. Plan b is keeping us from influencing others for Jesus including our families. And if we compromise in this way we will not only be disobeying God but we will not experience the fullness of God's mighty power and presence in our lives. Moses made it out of Egypt alive, but God sent him back to lead his people out of there too. And because he obeyed God without compromise he got to experience the hand of God at work in many miraculous ways. Do you desire to see God at work in your life? Get out of you comfort zone and ask God to use you to bring somebody into a saving relationship with Jesus.
When the Plagues became to much for Pharaoh to deal with he would reluctantly agree to let God's people go. But he would only agree to let them go under certain conditions. One such condition was that he would only allow the men to go and worship the Lord. The women and children were to stay behind and remain slaves in Egypt. In the same way the god of this world, if he fails to keep us blinded to the freedom we can find in Jesus and slaves to sin, he will switch to plan b. Plan b is keeping us from influencing others for Jesus including our families. And if we compromise in this way we will not only be disobeying God but we will not experience the fullness of God's mighty power and presence in our lives. Moses made it out of Egypt alive, but God sent him back to lead his people out of there too. And because he obeyed God without compromise he got to experience the hand of God at work in many miraculous ways. Do you desire to see God at work in your life? Get out of you comfort zone and ask God to use you to bring somebody into a saving relationship with Jesus.
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
One more night with those stinking frogs
And Moses said unto Pharaoh, Glory over me: when shall I intreat for thee, and for thy servants, and for thy people, to destroy the frogs from thee and thy houses, that they may remain in the river only? And he said, To morrow" (Ex. 8:8-10).
Because Pharaoh refused to let the children of Israel go, God displayed his mighty power through a number of plagues that would come upon Egypt. One such plague was causing the land of Egypt to be overwhelmed with frogs. The frogs were everywhere; including in their houses. When Pharaoh finally had enough, so it seemed, he came to Moses and asked him to plead with God to get rid of the frogs. Moses then ask Pharaoh to tell him when he should plead with God to destroy the frogs. And Pharaoh responded, Tomorrow. It appears that Pharaoh wanted one more night with the frogs. In 1935 Cane Toads were imported from Hawaii to Australia to deal with Beetle's that were destroying their sugar cane crops. But because of how fast these frogs multiplied and the toxins that they produce, today in Australia these frogs are consider a dangerous pest that are causing major environmental problems. The frogs in Moses day were also a major headache that they needed to get rid of. But pharaoh said, give me just one more night with the frogs. Why? Was it Pride, stubbornness, or maybe he thought if he just waited one more night they would just go away? Perhaps it was all the above. But what did waiting one more day really accomplish in Egypt when Pharaoh decided to put off the disposing of the frogs until tomorrow? The next day Pharaoh and all of Egypt woke up to more frogs, bigger problems and greater aggravation. Putting off dealing with a problem until tomorrow doesn't make it go away. Instead, it multiples the problem. It's been said, "If you want to make an easy job seem mighty hard, just keep putting off doing it." Is it about time that you started dealing with the frogs in your life? Don't multiply the problem by putting it off until tomorrow. Start dealing with it today. Ribbit!
Because Pharaoh refused to let the children of Israel go, God displayed his mighty power through a number of plagues that would come upon Egypt. One such plague was causing the land of Egypt to be overwhelmed with frogs. The frogs were everywhere; including in their houses. When Pharaoh finally had enough, so it seemed, he came to Moses and asked him to plead with God to get rid of the frogs. Moses then ask Pharaoh to tell him when he should plead with God to destroy the frogs. And Pharaoh responded, Tomorrow. It appears that Pharaoh wanted one more night with the frogs. In 1935 Cane Toads were imported from Hawaii to Australia to deal with Beetle's that were destroying their sugar cane crops. But because of how fast these frogs multiplied and the toxins that they produce, today in Australia these frogs are consider a dangerous pest that are causing major environmental problems. The frogs in Moses day were also a major headache that they needed to get rid of. But pharaoh said, give me just one more night with the frogs. Why? Was it Pride, stubbornness, or maybe he thought if he just waited one more night they would just go away? Perhaps it was all the above. But what did waiting one more day really accomplish in Egypt when Pharaoh decided to put off the disposing of the frogs until tomorrow? The next day Pharaoh and all of Egypt woke up to more frogs, bigger problems and greater aggravation. Putting off dealing with a problem until tomorrow doesn't make it go away. Instead, it multiples the problem. It's been said, "If you want to make an easy job seem mighty hard, just keep putting off doing it." Is it about time that you started dealing with the frogs in your life? Don't multiply the problem by putting it off until tomorrow. Start dealing with it today. Ribbit!
Are you in the place where Jesus can nourish your soul?
And Joseph nourished his father, and his brethren, and all his father's household, with bread, according to their families" (Gen. 47:12).
In order to nourish his brethren during a time of famine, Joseph brought them from their land to Egypt. In the land of Egypt where Joseph ruled he was able to be near to and care for his entire family. Like Joseph, Jesus desires to care for and nourish the souls of all who are in the family of God. He does so as we draw near to his heart, abide under his rule and feed on his word. Are u at the place where Jesus can nourish and care for your soul? "Draw near to God and he will draw near to you" (James 4:8).
In order to nourish his brethren during a time of famine, Joseph brought them from their land to Egypt. In the land of Egypt where Joseph ruled he was able to be near to and care for his entire family. Like Joseph, Jesus desires to care for and nourish the souls of all who are in the family of God. He does so as we draw near to his heart, abide under his rule and feed on his word. Are u at the place where Jesus can nourish and care for your soul? "Draw near to God and he will draw near to you" (James 4:8).
Regard not your stuff
Now thou art commanded, this do ye; take you wagons out of the land of Egypt for your little ones, and for your wives, and bring your father, and come. 20 Also regard not your stuff; for the good of all the land of Egypt is yours" (Gen. 45:19-21).
When Joseph finally revealed himself to his brothers to be alive and ruling in the land of Egypt, he commanded them to bring the rest of the family to Egypt to escape the famine. In order to do so Joseph provided wagons and the provision needed for the journey. He also gave the following admonition, "regard not your stuff (goods) for the good of all the land of Egypt is yours." Egypt was the most powerful and prosperous kingdom on earth. And God worked it out so that all that his covenant people needed to continue to advance God's heavenly kingdom was available to them. When we are living to advance God's kingdom today, like Joseph brothers we can trust that God will provide for all our needs according to his riches in glory through Christ Jesus (Philip 4:19). Are you worried about stuff? Jesus said, "Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteous and all these things shall be added unto you." If seeking first God's kingdom is your # 1 priority Jesus is saying to you today, "Regard not your stuff for the riches and power of heaven is behind you."
When Joseph finally revealed himself to his brothers to be alive and ruling in the land of Egypt, he commanded them to bring the rest of the family to Egypt to escape the famine. In order to do so Joseph provided wagons and the provision needed for the journey. He also gave the following admonition, "regard not your stuff (goods) for the good of all the land of Egypt is yours." Egypt was the most powerful and prosperous kingdom on earth. And God worked it out so that all that his covenant people needed to continue to advance God's heavenly kingdom was available to them. When we are living to advance God's kingdom today, like Joseph brothers we can trust that God will provide for all our needs according to his riches in glory through Christ Jesus (Philip 4:19). Are you worried about stuff? Jesus said, "Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteous and all these things shall be added unto you." If seeking first God's kingdom is your # 1 priority Jesus is saying to you today, "Regard not your stuff for the riches and power of heaven is behind you."
Guilt
"When Joseph's brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, "It may be that Joseph will hate us and pay us back for all the evil that we did to him" (Gen. 50:15).
Although Joseph had forgiven his brothers for their sin against him, they did not feel secure. They feared that he was determine to pay them back for what they did to him. But they had Joseph all wrong. He had not only fully forgiven them he was fully committed to looking out for their best interest. Joseph's willingness to forgive his brothers is a reflection of the wonderful grace and mercy of God. In addition to their wrong view of Joseph, his brothers probably still had unresolved guilt regarding their past sin. What they needed to do was make things right with God, seek his forgiveness and rest in His grace and mercy. Do you have feelings of guilt and insecurity? Make things right with God and others to the best of your ability. But above all rest in the love of God demonstrated on the cross where Jesus shed His blood for you. Amen!
Although Joseph had forgiven his brothers for their sin against him, they did not feel secure. They feared that he was determine to pay them back for what they did to him. But they had Joseph all wrong. He had not only fully forgiven them he was fully committed to looking out for their best interest. Joseph's willingness to forgive his brothers is a reflection of the wonderful grace and mercy of God. In addition to their wrong view of Joseph, his brothers probably still had unresolved guilt regarding their past sin. What they needed to do was make things right with God, seek his forgiveness and rest in His grace and mercy. Do you have feelings of guilt and insecurity? Make things right with God and others to the best of your ability. But above all rest in the love of God demonstrated on the cross where Jesus shed His blood for you. Amen!
It's not for me to reason why; It's but for me to dare and die.
"And Moses returned unto the Lord, and said, Lord, wherefore hast thou so evil entreated this people? why is it that thou hast sent me?" (Ex 5:22-23).
When God called Moses to lead the children of Israel out of Egypt it took some persuading. Moses had no confidence in himself to lead. God had to reassure him that he would be behind him with all his mighty power. All that Moses had to do was to trust and obey and God would do the rest. But the results of his first attempt at trusting and obeying the Lord didn't turn out as he hoped. In fact, things went from bad to worse. Not only did Pharaoh refuse to let the people go, he made their lives even more miserable by increasing their work load. Therefore, Moses filed a formal complaint to the Lord and personally delivered it. Moses cried unto the Lord saying, "Why is it that thou has sent me." God graciously responded to Moses and reassured him that he would deliver Israel and display his power through Pharaoh's stubbornness and pride. Moses was to continue to trust and obey.
Spurgeon, while preaching on the obedience of faith wrote, "Theirs not to reason why; Theirs but to dare and die." Spurgeon no doubt was quoting Alfred Tennyson, who wrote a similar phrase in his famous poem, "The Charge of the Light Brigade." In the poem, Tennyson writes about the bravery and heroism of soldiers, who at the command of their superiors charged into battle against all odds. God could have responded to Moses, "Yours is not to reason why;
Yours is but to dare and die." Who is Moses and who r we to question God? Paul wrote, "Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God?" (Rom. 9).
Although it is foolishness for us to question God, he knows that we r but dust and he let's us do it. And sometimes he will even gives us an answer. But not always. Sometimes we must march forward into the fray trusting that God knows what he's doing. The reason that we enjoy the freedoms that we have today is because of those who without hesitation obeyed their orders and fought for those freedoms even if it cost them their lives. Let us never forget not only their sacrifices, but the sacrifice of r savior who in obedience to the Father laid down his life to save r souls. May we have the kind of faith in r great savior to be willing to say, "It's not for me to reason why; It's but for me to dare and die." God knows what he's doing. When we trust and obey his grace will see us through. Take up your cross and follow Jesus.
When God called Moses to lead the children of Israel out of Egypt it took some persuading. Moses had no confidence in himself to lead. God had to reassure him that he would be behind him with all his mighty power. All that Moses had to do was to trust and obey and God would do the rest. But the results of his first attempt at trusting and obeying the Lord didn't turn out as he hoped. In fact, things went from bad to worse. Not only did Pharaoh refuse to let the people go, he made their lives even more miserable by increasing their work load. Therefore, Moses filed a formal complaint to the Lord and personally delivered it. Moses cried unto the Lord saying, "Why is it that thou has sent me." God graciously responded to Moses and reassured him that he would deliver Israel and display his power through Pharaoh's stubbornness and pride. Moses was to continue to trust and obey.
Spurgeon, while preaching on the obedience of faith wrote, "Theirs not to reason why; Theirs but to dare and die." Spurgeon no doubt was quoting Alfred Tennyson, who wrote a similar phrase in his famous poem, "The Charge of the Light Brigade." In the poem, Tennyson writes about the bravery and heroism of soldiers, who at the command of their superiors charged into battle against all odds. God could have responded to Moses, "Yours is not to reason why;
Yours is but to dare and die." Who is Moses and who r we to question God? Paul wrote, "Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God?" (Rom. 9).
Although it is foolishness for us to question God, he knows that we r but dust and he let's us do it. And sometimes he will even gives us an answer. But not always. Sometimes we must march forward into the fray trusting that God knows what he's doing. The reason that we enjoy the freedoms that we have today is because of those who without hesitation obeyed their orders and fought for those freedoms even if it cost them their lives. Let us never forget not only their sacrifices, but the sacrifice of r savior who in obedience to the Father laid down his life to save r souls. May we have the kind of faith in r great savior to be willing to say, "It's not for me to reason why; It's but for me to dare and die." God knows what he's doing. When we trust and obey his grace will see us through. Take up your cross and follow Jesus.
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