Elijah prayed to die. After seeing a great demonstration of the awesome power of God, clothed in His faithfulness to His servant's prayer, Elijah was swayed by the threats of a godless voice promising to take his life within twenty-four hours. He ran for his life. This demonstrated the vulnerability and the fragile nature of the human spirit. But God didn't answer as Elijah had requested. He had bigger plans for him, and protected him from himself. In the process God was glorified.
Nehemiah was burdened by the bad news from his homeland. He grieved and prayed to God and made the unusual request that he might find favor in the presence of the king. What could have resulted in the loss of his life turned out to be a great blessing to the people of Israel. The prayer was granted just as Nehemiah requested. According to God's plan, the walls of Jerusalem rose to stand as a witness to a faithful God. And, He was glorified.
Habakuk accused God of being indifferent to his prayers, of being deaf to the words he lifted up to Him again and again. He hated the injustice he witnessed. He said, "Why do you tolerate wrong? Destruction and violence are before me; there is strife, and conflict abounds." (Habakuk 1:3, NIV) His prayer was met by God as He instructed Habakuk, "Just wait. You'll see." God was glorified.
Is there a great burden YOU have been lifting to God day after day? Could it be that God is saying, "Just wait. You'll see," even as you pray? Perhaps you have presented a need to God that He is willing to answer, "just as you ask." Are you willing to pray until that answer comes? Or, maybe you have prayed while in the grips of negative emotional influence, clouding your mind to reality. Will you trust God to protect and care for you? If you will, God will be glorified.
In each instance, God demonstrated His faithfulness. He still does. "Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know." (Jeremiah 33:3, NIV)
Monday, September 28, 2009
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
"I Will... But I Won't"
The parable of Jesus, found in Matthew 21:28-32, tells us of a man with two sons. Each was asked to work in the father's vineyard. The first said he would not, but changed his mind. The second said he would, but also changed his mind.
Jesus asked, "'Which of the two did what his father wanted?'
"'The first," they answered." (v. 31)
When Jesus told this parable He was teaching the hearers of the work of God involving the people of the world. It was His warning that things may not be as they appear. Even though people will say they will serve God, or respond to a specific call of God, it doesn't mean that they will follow through. And, just as truthfully, even if a person says they will NOT respond to Him, it may not be the end of the story.
I never read this parable without wondering how our heavenly Father must feel when we make great commitments and promises only to fail, even with good sounding excuses, to follow through. As a pastor, I can sense some of the emotional sadness the Father must feel. Many are on the easy (broad) path, saying, "I will... but I won't."
Are you good at saying you will serve God, but later to find any number of reasons not to. A great warning under the surface of parables like this is, "You can come to the place where you feel justified and excused, only to find that you are guilty." (e.g. Matthew 7:21-23)
It would be one thing if such teaching applied only to the physical responsibilities of our relationship with the Father. But they apply to the spiritual as well, and maybe in a greater sense. If Jesus says, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind," (Matthew 22:37, NIV), certainly we can see the importance of our fulfilled dedication in our service to Him.
God calls us to be stewards of many things. This includes our time, commitment and words. We are also stewards of our attitude and dependability in opportunities of service. It is in these areas that the real test of our faithfulness comes. If God can depend on our faithfulness, so can His children with whom we serve.
"What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, 'Son, go and work today in the vineyard.'
"'I will not,' he answered, but later he changed his mind and went.
"Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, 'I will, sir,' but he did not go." (Matthew 21:28-30)
Which one of the two represents you?
Jesus asked, "'Which of the two did what his father wanted?'
"'The first," they answered." (v. 31)
When Jesus told this parable He was teaching the hearers of the work of God involving the people of the world. It was His warning that things may not be as they appear. Even though people will say they will serve God, or respond to a specific call of God, it doesn't mean that they will follow through. And, just as truthfully, even if a person says they will NOT respond to Him, it may not be the end of the story.
I never read this parable without wondering how our heavenly Father must feel when we make great commitments and promises only to fail, even with good sounding excuses, to follow through. As a pastor, I can sense some of the emotional sadness the Father must feel. Many are on the easy (broad) path, saying, "I will... but I won't."
Are you good at saying you will serve God, but later to find any number of reasons not to. A great warning under the surface of parables like this is, "You can come to the place where you feel justified and excused, only to find that you are guilty." (e.g. Matthew 7:21-23)
It would be one thing if such teaching applied only to the physical responsibilities of our relationship with the Father. But they apply to the spiritual as well, and maybe in a greater sense. If Jesus says, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind," (Matthew 22:37, NIV), certainly we can see the importance of our fulfilled dedication in our service to Him.
God calls us to be stewards of many things. This includes our time, commitment and words. We are also stewards of our attitude and dependability in opportunities of service. It is in these areas that the real test of our faithfulness comes. If God can depend on our faithfulness, so can His children with whom we serve.
"What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, 'Son, go and work today in the vineyard.'
"'I will not,' he answered, but later he changed his mind and went.
"Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, 'I will, sir,' but he did not go." (Matthew 21:28-30)
Which one of the two represents you?
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Holy
The angels were created for the purpose of singing His praises. Isaiah saw them. They were the seraphim. Almost nothing is known about these magnificent creatures, this unique band of heavenly beings. But Isaiah gave us a little description of these living servants. We don't know how many he saw, but he said that each had six wings. With two they covered their faces. With two they covered their feet. And with two they flew. Can you see them? They are flying for eternity around the throne of God content in fulfilling their purpose. As with us, being faithful in fulfilling our mission brings glory to God, and contentment in life.
The word seraph means "to burn." They are living creatures of flame flying, singing praises to God. Isaiah also gives us the words of their song: "Holy, Holy, Holy is the LORD Almighty. The whole earth is filled with His glory." (Isaiah 6:3, NLT) The fact that the angels are eternal, living flames singing, in chorus, the holiness of God not only glorifies God, but it announces His "separateness" as well. It tells all other living beings that God is not to be approached without cleansing... cleansing by fire. Otherwise He is "unapproachable, unapproachable, unapproachable." The fiery angels guard that holiness.
Some people are under the impression that we can do without God. They live as if God is not important, and the longer we avoid Him the more comfortable we will be, with distance between us. But such belief can't be any further from the truth. The most desperate, empty, hopeless and frightening emotions we have ever had are only a fraction of the eternal horror of separation from our Creator who protects and provides for us. What can we do with such a need for a "high and uplifted" God?
Isaiah answers this question. When we look in upon this amazing event, we see that he was flooded with a realization he never had before. He was overwhelmed with the awareness of the truth. He naturally and spontaneously said, "My destruction is sealed, for I am a sinful man and member of a sinful race. Yet I have seen the King, the LORD Almighty!" (Isaiah 6:5, NLT) It was then that the "angels of fire" responded with an immediate and what seemed to be a natural response. They prepared Isaiah for God.
Are you prepared for God? "Let us approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." (Hebrews 4:16, NIV) Not only is He "unapproachable" and "holy," but He is loving and gracious and has prepared a way for us. And never be deceived...you will never stand "justified" and "acceptable" before the God without Jesus Christ. The price has been paid, but Jesus informs us, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6, NIV)
The word seraph means "to burn." They are living creatures of flame flying, singing praises to God. Isaiah also gives us the words of their song: "Holy, Holy, Holy is the LORD Almighty. The whole earth is filled with His glory." (Isaiah 6:3, NLT) The fact that the angels are eternal, living flames singing, in chorus, the holiness of God not only glorifies God, but it announces His "separateness" as well. It tells all other living beings that God is not to be approached without cleansing... cleansing by fire. Otherwise He is "unapproachable, unapproachable, unapproachable." The fiery angels guard that holiness.
Some people are under the impression that we can do without God. They live as if God is not important, and the longer we avoid Him the more comfortable we will be, with distance between us. But such belief can't be any further from the truth. The most desperate, empty, hopeless and frightening emotions we have ever had are only a fraction of the eternal horror of separation from our Creator who protects and provides for us. What can we do with such a need for a "high and uplifted" God?
Isaiah answers this question. When we look in upon this amazing event, we see that he was flooded with a realization he never had before. He was overwhelmed with the awareness of the truth. He naturally and spontaneously said, "My destruction is sealed, for I am a sinful man and member of a sinful race. Yet I have seen the King, the LORD Almighty!" (Isaiah 6:5, NLT) It was then that the "angels of fire" responded with an immediate and what seemed to be a natural response. They prepared Isaiah for God.
Are you prepared for God? "Let us approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." (Hebrews 4:16, NIV) Not only is He "unapproachable" and "holy," but He is loving and gracious and has prepared a way for us. And never be deceived...you will never stand "justified" and "acceptable" before the God without Jesus Christ. The price has been paid, but Jesus informs us, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6, NIV)
Thursday, September 10, 2009
How Do You Pray?
Have you ever paid attention to how you pray? It is important. And it will reveal a lot about you. The scripture gives us many examples of the importance of the way we should pray, not in length of time, or posture, but in heart and purpose.
One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, "Teach us to pray...." (Luke 11:1, NIV) The disciples, raised in Jewish homes, familiar with prayer and its importance in their lives, witnessed the power, dedication and commitment of Jesus in prayer. They were moved to seek such a connection with God. They came to Him with the plea, Lord, teach us to pray. Do you desire such a prayer life?
After a long battle with his heart and attitude that surfaced during his trials in life, Job took a turn in his prayer life: he prayed for his friends. His focus changed from questions regarding his own predicament and focused on the "messed up thoughts" of his so-called friends. After Job had prayed for his friends, the Lord made him prosperous again and gave him twice as much as he had before. (Job 42:10, NIV) No doubt, the purpose of praying for his friends was for their sake, not for "his" gain. God knows our heart, and motive. Do you pray for others solely for their sake and not for your gain?
James said that many of our prayers are given for selfish reasons. Do you pray with the right motive? Do you seek a "right heart" before God? When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with the wrong motive, that you might spend what you get on your own pleasures. (James 4:3, NIV) God will guide us to a right motive when we pray.
Jesus prayed for God to be glorified. ...Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify You.... (John 17:2, NIV) Are all of your prayers for this purpose? Do you pray that all answers would be for God's glory? Every thought, every word, and every deed of Jesus was for this purpose. It should be for ours as well.
There are many things to consider when we pray. But sometimes we need to ask a more basic question: "Do you pray?" James also said, You have not because you ask not. (James 4:2)
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One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, "Teach us to pray...." (Luke 11:1, NIV) The disciples, raised in Jewish homes, familiar with prayer and its importance in their lives, witnessed the power, dedication and commitment of Jesus in prayer. They were moved to seek such a connection with God. They came to Him with the plea, Lord, teach us to pray. Do you desire such a prayer life?
After a long battle with his heart and attitude that surfaced during his trials in life, Job took a turn in his prayer life: he prayed for his friends. His focus changed from questions regarding his own predicament and focused on the "messed up thoughts" of his so-called friends. After Job had prayed for his friends, the Lord made him prosperous again and gave him twice as much as he had before. (Job 42:10, NIV) No doubt, the purpose of praying for his friends was for their sake, not for "his" gain. God knows our heart, and motive. Do you pray for others solely for their sake and not for your gain?
James said that many of our prayers are given for selfish reasons. Do you pray with the right motive? Do you seek a "right heart" before God? When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with the wrong motive, that you might spend what you get on your own pleasures. (James 4:3, NIV) God will guide us to a right motive when we pray.
Jesus prayed for God to be glorified. ...Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify You.... (John 17:2, NIV) Are all of your prayers for this purpose? Do you pray that all answers would be for God's glory? Every thought, every word, and every deed of Jesus was for this purpose. It should be for ours as well.
There are many things to consider when we pray. But sometimes we need to ask a more basic question: "Do you pray?" James also said, You have not because you ask not. (James 4:2)
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Saturday, September 5, 2009
Character
Some truths in God's Word are clear and straight forward. Some require study, prayer and time before we can understand them. They are revealed only to the true disciple, the dedicated student of the Bible. Because they are "spiritually understood," it requires time, as the Holy Spirit teaches and grows us that we might understand. (1 Cor. 2:14)
When the Psalmist said, "Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me," (Psalm 51:10, NIV) he saw hope in the midst of his need, but also realized the "process" required to accomplish it. He knew that the process began with an honest plea to God. He knew that his character could only be changed by God Himself.
What does God use to change our character? The Greek definition for "character" is "a specimen of tried worth." Making it personal in the spiritual sense, it refers to someone who has been tested by God and has passed the tests. That doesn't mean we haven't had failure, but it means that we have learned from our failures. In fact, God's greatest "giants" of the faith have included many of the biggest "failures" known to the world, before God brought about a great character change.
God's Word also reveals that our "character" has a lot to do with God hearing and answering our prayer. We must be careful and not confuse character and lack of failure in life. Remember, some of God's greatest warriors of the faith are those who have failed miserably in their lives. The Godly character that eventually developed was a result of the individual giving themselves to God, allowing His Spirit to do His miraculous work. And some who seemingly have exemplary lives have weak character, unable to understand the deeper things of God.
The character we need to be prayer warriors, and powerful workers for God is a result of His work in us. That means we are all eligible for such a relationship with Him. And He is eager to perform His work in us. Then we can understand and experience more of the deeper things of God's Word.
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Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Knowing For Sure
Spiritual laws are just as sure as physical laws. If I trip and lose my footing, I will fall. Certain physical laws go into motion with a predictable results. The same is true spiritually. God makes it clear in His Word that those laws WILL activate and will affect us. That leaves us with the "opportunity" to learn what those laws are and how to avoid the undesirable results. It also guides us to the position where these laws will work for our good.
A good example has to do with salvation: "If you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." (Romans 10:9) Once we have properly responded to that spiritual law, we find other laws at work. Once we believe, we find the "knowledge" that we have eternal life. John said God has given us His Word so that we may "know" that we have eternal life. (1 John 5:13 ) It's not a natural knowledge that we obtain, but a supernatural realization that comes with lifestyle abilities and evidence, if we continue in Him. It is in the acceptance and obedience that we have the assurance.
There is no need to try to understand it before committing to Christ, or to try to convince another of its truth before they accept Christ. They must be willing to accept it. The Bible says it is spiritually communicated by the Holy Spirit...and only through Him abiding in us can we have that assurance. "But people who aren't spiritual can't receive these truths from God's Spirit, it all sounds foolish to them and they can't understand it, for only those who are spiritual can understand what the Spirit means." (1 Cor. 2:14, NLT)
If we depend on anything other than the Spirit of God to give us assurance, we will be deceived. God is interested in our relationship, not our actions. God-like actions without a salvation relationship with Him is possible. But an abiding life with God without Godly actions is not. Then we can expect the miraculous to happen.
A good example has to do with salvation: "If you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." (Romans 10:9) Once we have properly responded to that spiritual law, we find other laws at work. Once we believe, we find the "knowledge" that we have eternal life. John said God has given us His Word so that we may "know" that we have eternal life. (1 John 5:13 ) It's not a natural knowledge that we obtain, but a supernatural realization that comes with lifestyle abilities and evidence, if we continue in Him. It is in the acceptance and obedience that we have the assurance.
There is no need to try to understand it before committing to Christ, or to try to convince another of its truth before they accept Christ. They must be willing to accept it. The Bible says it is spiritually communicated by the Holy Spirit...and only through Him abiding in us can we have that assurance. "But people who aren't spiritual can't receive these truths from God's Spirit, it all sounds foolish to them and they can't understand it, for only those who are spiritual can understand what the Spirit means." (1 Cor. 2:14, NLT)
If we depend on anything other than the Spirit of God to give us assurance, we will be deceived. God is interested in our relationship, not our actions. God-like actions without a salvation relationship with Him is possible. But an abiding life with God without Godly actions is not. Then we can expect the miraculous to happen.
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