See, he is puffed up; his desires are not upright--but the righteous will live by his faith (Habakkuk 2:4).
That the righteous will live by faith is first mentioned in Habakkuk. It is God's intention for His people to trust in Him as they live out their lives on this earth. There are times in life when our faith falters and we question God as Habakkuk did in chapter 1:2-4. Life is hard. Some problems cannot be solved politically. Some problems cannot be solved financially. Some problems cannot be solved by military action. Some problems find no solution in science and medicine. But, God asks that we trust Him even when our circumstances seem to say, "God is not there and, if He is, He does not care."
Three times in the New Testament Habakkuk 2:4 is quoted: Romans 1:16-17; Galatians 3:11; Hebrews 10:38-39. It is one of the foundation stones of Christian doctrine--trusting God for our life and our salvation in Jesus Christ. We live life by His Word.
I do not know how, exactly, that this fits into end-times chronology, but God has promised that there is a time coming when the wrongs will be made right and "For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea" (Habakkuk 2:14). We look forward to that time!
The Faith life means this: Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in God my Savior (Habakkuk 3:17-18).
I do not know what your circumstances are today. We live in a fallen world, so most likely you have your troubles. Do not turn from Christ. "But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved" (Hebrews 10:39).
Our Father's Love,
Tom
Saturday, May 31, 2014
Wednesday, May 28, 2014
AN ANGRY TALK WITH GOD
How long, O Lord, must I call for help, but you do not listen? Or cry out to you, "Violence!" but you do not save? Why do you make me look at injustice? Why do you tolerate wrong? Destruction and violence are before me; there is strife, and conflict abounds. Therefore the law is paralyzed, and justice never prevails. The wicked hem in the righteous, so that justice is perverted( Habakkuk 1:2-4 NIV).
One of the evidences that the Bible is God's word is that it tells the truth about man. Any person who has very much life experience and has given serious thought about life and God has probably asked the same questions that Habakkuk asked. It is not irreverent to ask these questions, it is a normal part of being human. When I counsel a person who is dealing with grief, I ask him, "Have you had your angry talk with God yet?" It is not a sin to have a heartfelt angry talk with God--that is one of the things this scripture, and others like it, means.
We humans are not the Creator of the universe. Our understanding is limited, so it is not a sin to have an angry talk with God from time to time, in truth, it is therapeutic if it is honest from the heart rather than just a profane tantrum. As God opened Habakkuk's eyes, He will open yours. Anger without openness to learning just makes one more angry. So, after your angry talk with God, be ready to learn from His Word.
Our Father's Love,
Tom
One of the evidences that the Bible is God's word is that it tells the truth about man. Any person who has very much life experience and has given serious thought about life and God has probably asked the same questions that Habakkuk asked. It is not irreverent to ask these questions, it is a normal part of being human. When I counsel a person who is dealing with grief, I ask him, "Have you had your angry talk with God yet?" It is not a sin to have a heartfelt angry talk with God--that is one of the things this scripture, and others like it, means.
We humans are not the Creator of the universe. Our understanding is limited, so it is not a sin to have an angry talk with God from time to time, in truth, it is therapeutic if it is honest from the heart rather than just a profane tantrum. As God opened Habakkuk's eyes, He will open yours. Anger without openness to learning just makes one more angry. So, after your angry talk with God, be ready to learn from His Word.
Our Father's Love,
Tom
Monday, May 19, 2014
TODAY IS THE FIRST DAY OF THE REST OF YOUR LIFE
Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil (Ephesians 5:15-16).
Today is the first day of the rest of your life. Though that phrase was often used 35 to 40 years ago, I have not heard it used by preachers and public speakers in several years. Nevertheless, the lack of use does not diminish the truth. Our time on this earth is limited, today is the day to begin making the most of it!
How can you begin making the most of the time today? Begin with prayer and Bible study. Our God is the only one who transcends time--He is the great I AM. By coming into relationship with Him we avoid the things that are the great time wasters and the great time destroyers and can focus on learning the things that truly matter, having the relationships that bring blessing, and experiencing the adventures that are genuinely meaningful. God is the only one who can make more time for us, we do not have time not to pray and not to study His word!
When one begins a new day by asking God's blessing and guidance he can trust the events of the day to God, and he can believe that the events of the day have purpose and are meant for our good. Our days may be difficult, but God will sustain us and bless us through them!
Our Father's Love,
Tom
Today is the first day of the rest of your life. Though that phrase was often used 35 to 40 years ago, I have not heard it used by preachers and public speakers in several years. Nevertheless, the lack of use does not diminish the truth. Our time on this earth is limited, today is the day to begin making the most of it!
How can you begin making the most of the time today? Begin with prayer and Bible study. Our God is the only one who transcends time--He is the great I AM. By coming into relationship with Him we avoid the things that are the great time wasters and the great time destroyers and can focus on learning the things that truly matter, having the relationships that bring blessing, and experiencing the adventures that are genuinely meaningful. God is the only one who can make more time for us, we do not have time not to pray and not to study His word!
When one begins a new day by asking God's blessing and guidance he can trust the events of the day to God, and he can believe that the events of the day have purpose and are meant for our good. Our days may be difficult, but God will sustain us and bless us through them!
Our Father's Love,
Tom
Sunday, May 04, 2014
HEAVEN'S BEST GIFT (according to Milton)
A good wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels (Proverbs 31:10).
I'm not sure if it was by Divine Providence that I found this quote, or just by happenstance, but it made me laugh.
When Milton declared that Heaven's best gift is a woman perfected, he forgot to mention what a hellish job it is perfecting one of them. (Paladin, Have Gun will Travel).
Happy Mother's Day,
Tom
I'm not sure if it was by Divine Providence that I found this quote, or just by happenstance, but it made me laugh.
When Milton declared that Heaven's best gift is a woman perfected, he forgot to mention what a hellish job it is perfecting one of them. (Paladin, Have Gun will Travel).
Happy Mother's Day,
Tom
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