You are the salt of the earth . . . (Matthew 5:13). You are the light of the world . . . (Matthew 5:14).
Among counselors there is a saying: 'Things work out as they should.' In other words, when all things are considered, it is not surprising that one is in the mess that he is in. However, a good leader can change a future that otherwise would have been a failure into a success and can also help to redeem a negative past into a positive present. Is that time-travel or what?
Leadership is about influence. Though there are various styles of leadership, there is no leadership if there is no positive influence. At some time in each person's life there will be an opportunity to lead as a peer, a parent, a Sunday school teacher, a coach, and so on. Through their positive influence many of these leaders have inspired others to reframe or discard a negative past and change on otherwise certain future into something good.
Leadership begins with the kind of person one is. Some leaders are all about themselves, leading for the purpose of personal prestige, power and fortune. A real leader can create and maintain trust because he is a person of integrity, not just speaking the truth, but doing the truth and keeping his word. Politicians do not rank very high on the trust scale because so many of them are in it for themselves, using the power of government for their own purposes, taxing and legislating restrictions on the "little people" while they, themselves, do not live by their own rules.
Leadership is intentional. What I mean by that is that good leaders have intentionally taken the time to learn leadership skills. They know that leadership is not bossiness, but rather, inspires others. They know that leadership is having a vision and can communicate that vision in such a way that others will follow. Though some seem to be born with the ability to take charge, that ability by itself will build resentment unless one also knows his or her people, how to network and build alliances. Power alone does not make a leader; wisdom does.
Your time for leadership will come! What kind of leader will you be?
Grace&Peace,
Tom
Monday, May 24, 2010
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
DELIVER US FROM EVIL
. . . above all taking the shield of faith, with which you can quench all the flaming darts of the evil one (Ephesians 6:16).
Woe to those who call evil good and good evil . . . (Isaiah 5:20).
And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil (Matthew 6:13).
What is evil? Evil is more than the absence of good; maliciousness is a characteristic of it as well. Webster includes these descriptions: arising from real or supposed wickedness, what is morally wrong, what hinders the realization of good. When Peter, with good intentions, told our Lord that his death on the cross should never happen, Jesus recognized the true source of those words and replied, Get behind me Satan! You are a hindrance to me; for you are not on the side of God, but of men (Matthew 16:23). In this satan was attempting to sabotage God's plan of redemption. Peter's words arose from a malicious, wicked personality who desperately wanted to destroy God's plan of redemption for humanity. It should be noted too that Peter's words simply reflected common Jewish thought about the Messiah. This means that the source of human philosophy which conflicts with the word of God is the devil.
At least since Darwin, modern thinkers have attempted to minimize evil by reducing it to mythology. They insist that the bad things that happen in the world are explained by ignorance and natural causes but: Evil is much more than the absence of good--it is not explained by the absence of education, "enlightenment," good nutrition, clean air, and nurturing love for every child--for evil is present when all of the above grace human culture. The most evil acts in history occurred in recent times in the twentieth century, with humankind presumably in its most advanced stage when technology, medicine, psychology and philosophy had reached never before dreamed of sophistication (Dr. Bruce Parmenter, Hiller Lectureship, North American Baptist Seminary, 2001). Evil exists, it is everywhere and it is malignant, seeking to destroy everything that is good. It is necessary to recognize the pervasiveness of evil so that it can be understood that even in the best of times one must always be on guard, ready for the devil's schemes.
Grace&Peace,
Tom
Woe to those who call evil good and good evil . . . (Isaiah 5:20).
And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil (Matthew 6:13).
What is evil? Evil is more than the absence of good; maliciousness is a characteristic of it as well. Webster includes these descriptions: arising from real or supposed wickedness, what is morally wrong, what hinders the realization of good. When Peter, with good intentions, told our Lord that his death on the cross should never happen, Jesus recognized the true source of those words and replied, Get behind me Satan! You are a hindrance to me; for you are not on the side of God, but of men (Matthew 16:23). In this satan was attempting to sabotage God's plan of redemption. Peter's words arose from a malicious, wicked personality who desperately wanted to destroy God's plan of redemption for humanity. It should be noted too that Peter's words simply reflected common Jewish thought about the Messiah. This means that the source of human philosophy which conflicts with the word of God is the devil.
At least since Darwin, modern thinkers have attempted to minimize evil by reducing it to mythology. They insist that the bad things that happen in the world are explained by ignorance and natural causes but: Evil is much more than the absence of good--it is not explained by the absence of education, "enlightenment," good nutrition, clean air, and nurturing love for every child--for evil is present when all of the above grace human culture. The most evil acts in history occurred in recent times in the twentieth century, with humankind presumably in its most advanced stage when technology, medicine, psychology and philosophy had reached never before dreamed of sophistication (Dr. Bruce Parmenter, Hiller Lectureship, North American Baptist Seminary, 2001). Evil exists, it is everywhere and it is malignant, seeking to destroy everything that is good. It is necessary to recognize the pervasiveness of evil so that it can be understood that even in the best of times one must always be on guard, ready for the devil's schemes.
Grace&Peace,
Tom
Friday, May 07, 2010
YOUR GIFT: USE IT OR LOSE IT
I tell you, that to every one who has will more be given; but from him who has not, even what he has will be taken away (Luke 19:26).
. . . nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all men life and breath and everything. And he made from one every nation of men to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their habitation, that they should seek God, in the hope that they might feel after him and find him. Yet he is not far from each of us, for 'in him we live and move and have our being' (Acts 17:25-28).
During my tenure at Midwest Christian Services, an adolescent residential treatment facility, I noticed that one of the common features of the residents was that they were gifted; the reason for their admittance to MCS was not due to a deficient mental capacity. Generally, the residents came from dysfunctional family environments so that they were negatively influenced and undisciplined, and, as a result, made bad choices. Poor academic performance at school resulted from deficient self-discipline and life-skills rather than low intellectual capacity. Out in the general population the same phenomena is also true. Most people are more gifted than they think, but because of negative thinking habits and attitudes, never make the most of what they have.
Though there is a difference between natural gifts and Spiritual gifts, there is not as much distinction as one might assume because even natural gifts have a Spiritual purpose. God has not left his creation without supervision to exist on its own; he is deeply involved in it so that humanity would seek him. He has graced humanity with a vast array of natural gifts so that we can bless each other, for example, the Holy Spirit can use a competent secular counselor to help a person with their problems.
The Bible teaches that if your gift goes unused, it will be lost, but if your gift is used, more gifts will be given. One sure way to lose your gift, natural or Spiritual, is to let it go unused. One sure way to become more gifted is to use more the gift that you have for the Lord. Those who avoid any opportunities for service will lose everything.
Grace&Peace;
Tom
. . . nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all men life and breath and everything. And he made from one every nation of men to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their habitation, that they should seek God, in the hope that they might feel after him and find him. Yet he is not far from each of us, for 'in him we live and move and have our being' (Acts 17:25-28).
During my tenure at Midwest Christian Services, an adolescent residential treatment facility, I noticed that one of the common features of the residents was that they were gifted; the reason for their admittance to MCS was not due to a deficient mental capacity. Generally, the residents came from dysfunctional family environments so that they were negatively influenced and undisciplined, and, as a result, made bad choices. Poor academic performance at school resulted from deficient self-discipline and life-skills rather than low intellectual capacity. Out in the general population the same phenomena is also true. Most people are more gifted than they think, but because of negative thinking habits and attitudes, never make the most of what they have.
Though there is a difference between natural gifts and Spiritual gifts, there is not as much distinction as one might assume because even natural gifts have a Spiritual purpose. God has not left his creation without supervision to exist on its own; he is deeply involved in it so that humanity would seek him. He has graced humanity with a vast array of natural gifts so that we can bless each other, for example, the Holy Spirit can use a competent secular counselor to help a person with their problems.
The Bible teaches that if your gift goes unused, it will be lost, but if your gift is used, more gifts will be given. One sure way to lose your gift, natural or Spiritual, is to let it go unused. One sure way to become more gifted is to use more the gift that you have for the Lord. Those who avoid any opportunities for service will lose everything.
Grace&Peace;
Tom
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
USING YOUR GIFT?
The Lord said to Moses, "See, I have called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah: and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with ability and intelligence, with knowledge and all craftsmanship, to devise artistic design . . . (Exodus 31:1-3).
I had just filled the fuel tank on my farm tractor and started the engine to let it warm up for the hard day of work that lay ahead when I noticed hydraulic oil begin to "gush" forth from deep inside the tractor; a hydraulic line had burst. Having done a fair amount of mechanic work in my life, my first thought was to attempt to fix it myself. I removed a heavy access plate to gain entry to the internals of the tractor. Once removed I found that the access was not much of an access at all and after studying and working at the problem for a couple of hours I decided to talk to my mechanic about it. He said, "Give me a few minutes to gather some tools and I will come and see what I can do." When he arrived I showed him exactly what the problem was. He laid himself up on the tractor near the access point, it is a big tractor, with tools in hand and within two hours the tractor was repaired.
I told myself as I handed him wrenches and watched him work, "This guy is made for what he does." I have "wrenched" enough over the course of my life to have experienced the down and dirty of intimacy with machines, reading the manuals, getting sweaty and greasy, laying in the dirt, snow and on cold concrete, but I am not a mechanic. I am not efficient when I do the work, the desire to do it day after day is not in me because it is a frustrating job for me. On the day my mechanic worked on my tractor I did not hear him swear once, but my Christian vocabulary is severely tested when I am doing that kind of work--perhaps the Lord is teaching patience.
The counselor in me understands that life generally works out as it should, meaning that when hereditary and environmental factors and the Spirit of God are considered, it is no surprise that a person ends up doing what they do. I believe that the Spirit of God has led each person who is doing honorable work to his or her task. One need not worry about what their gift is, just get on with the tasks at hand and the gift will become evident. Do not worry about finding the gift, you will find it as you serve our Lord and Savior each day.
Grace&Peace;
Tom
I had just filled the fuel tank on my farm tractor and started the engine to let it warm up for the hard day of work that lay ahead when I noticed hydraulic oil begin to "gush" forth from deep inside the tractor; a hydraulic line had burst. Having done a fair amount of mechanic work in my life, my first thought was to attempt to fix it myself. I removed a heavy access plate to gain entry to the internals of the tractor. Once removed I found that the access was not much of an access at all and after studying and working at the problem for a couple of hours I decided to talk to my mechanic about it. He said, "Give me a few minutes to gather some tools and I will come and see what I can do." When he arrived I showed him exactly what the problem was. He laid himself up on the tractor near the access point, it is a big tractor, with tools in hand and within two hours the tractor was repaired.
I told myself as I handed him wrenches and watched him work, "This guy is made for what he does." I have "wrenched" enough over the course of my life to have experienced the down and dirty of intimacy with machines, reading the manuals, getting sweaty and greasy, laying in the dirt, snow and on cold concrete, but I am not a mechanic. I am not efficient when I do the work, the desire to do it day after day is not in me because it is a frustrating job for me. On the day my mechanic worked on my tractor I did not hear him swear once, but my Christian vocabulary is severely tested when I am doing that kind of work--perhaps the Lord is teaching patience.
The counselor in me understands that life generally works out as it should, meaning that when hereditary and environmental factors and the Spirit of God are considered, it is no surprise that a person ends up doing what they do. I believe that the Spirit of God has led each person who is doing honorable work to his or her task. One need not worry about what their gift is, just get on with the tasks at hand and the gift will become evident. Do not worry about finding the gift, you will find it as you serve our Lord and Savior each day.
Grace&Peace;
Tom
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
THE GOD WHO MADE HIMSELF VULNERABLE
My God, my God, why has thou forsaken me? Why art thou so far from helping me, from the words of my groaning? O my God, I cry by day, but thou dost not answer; and by night, but find no rest (Psalm 22:1-2).
He who does not love does not know God; for God is love (I John 4:8).
Can a sovereign God be vulnerable? An almighty and all knowing God has no vulnerabilities except that he is also love. Love requires vulnerability because love requires relationship. How can one have a true relationship with one who does not allow another to think or act for him or her self? Real love is the free response, the free choice, of the ones involved in a relationship. The moment God made the decision to create beings in his own image, he made a decision to become vulnerable to be hurt and rejected by those whom he loves.
Not only in creation did God make himself vulnerable, in redemption he made himself more vulnerable by becoming flesh, meaning that he became human. It is extremely difficult to wrap our minds around the incarnation of God, and we will probably never fully understand it this side of heaven. Nevertheless, God subjected himself to the same frailties of humanity to which you and I are subject--yet without sin. God says that the just shall live by faith and so Jesus Christ, our model, lived by trust and obedience to the Father. It might be assumed that because Jesus was God in the flesh then faith was not necessary for him, or that his temptations were not real because it is against the nature of God to sin. None of us completely understands how much of himself Jesus emptied (Philippians 2:7) in the process of becoming human, but I do know that it was enough so that he had to live by faith and deal with the temptations and struggles of life much as we do.
If Jesus' life in the flesh is an example for us, we should not expect that life will be without pain and difficulty. On the cross Jesus felt completely abandoned by his Father (Matthew 27:46) fulfilling the prophecy of the 22nd Psalm. I can guarantee that you, dear reader, will have times when you will feel the same. But, we know that because God made himself vulnerable we have pardon and forgiveness of sin, adoption into his family, the sustaining power of the Holy Spirit and hope for eternity by faith in Christ.
Grace&Peace;
Tom
He who does not love does not know God; for God is love (I John 4:8).
Can a sovereign God be vulnerable? An almighty and all knowing God has no vulnerabilities except that he is also love. Love requires vulnerability because love requires relationship. How can one have a true relationship with one who does not allow another to think or act for him or her self? Real love is the free response, the free choice, of the ones involved in a relationship. The moment God made the decision to create beings in his own image, he made a decision to become vulnerable to be hurt and rejected by those whom he loves.
Not only in creation did God make himself vulnerable, in redemption he made himself more vulnerable by becoming flesh, meaning that he became human. It is extremely difficult to wrap our minds around the incarnation of God, and we will probably never fully understand it this side of heaven. Nevertheless, God subjected himself to the same frailties of humanity to which you and I are subject--yet without sin. God says that the just shall live by faith and so Jesus Christ, our model, lived by trust and obedience to the Father. It might be assumed that because Jesus was God in the flesh then faith was not necessary for him, or that his temptations were not real because it is against the nature of God to sin. None of us completely understands how much of himself Jesus emptied (Philippians 2:7) in the process of becoming human, but I do know that it was enough so that he had to live by faith and deal with the temptations and struggles of life much as we do.
If Jesus' life in the flesh is an example for us, we should not expect that life will be without pain and difficulty. On the cross Jesus felt completely abandoned by his Father (Matthew 27:46) fulfilling the prophecy of the 22nd Psalm. I can guarantee that you, dear reader, will have times when you will feel the same. But, we know that because God made himself vulnerable we have pardon and forgiveness of sin, adoption into his family, the sustaining power of the Holy Spirit and hope for eternity by faith in Christ.
Grace&Peace;
Tom
Thursday, April 15, 2010
THE WORD BECAME FLESH
In many and various ways God spoke of old to our fathers by the prophets; but in these last days he has spoken to us by a son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. He reflects the glory of God and bears the very stamp of his nature . . .(Hebrews 1:1-3).
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God (John 1:1).
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us . . . (John 1:14).
It is impossible to have a relationship without some kind of communication. Actually, it is impossible not to communicate because communication is not just words, it is what is done or not done that is a more trustworthy communication. Nonverbal communication is more that 60% of communication and is a more true indication of the heart than verbal communication. Jesus Christ is the true communication of the heart of the Father, communicating not only with his words, but in his life, death and resurrection.
Even though God is the Creator with infinite wisdom and knowledge, still, philosophers and theologians (we are all philosophers and theologians you know) could always argue that God's understanding of what it is like to be human was only hypothetical; it was not actual until the Word became flesh. God took that argument away in Jesus Christ, who fully experience what it is to be you and me! The Wonderful Counselor can empathize with us because he walked in our shoes!
By becoming flesh, God also revealed godliness in human form. He modeled love, humility, forgiveness, and anger. He showed us how to be compassionate and spread hope and joy. The question "What would Jesus do?" has become a cliche, but it is no less valid; Jesus is the model of godliness for you and me. We can see how God would deal with life if he were human.
Grace&Peace;
Tom
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God (John 1:1).
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us . . . (John 1:14).
It is impossible to have a relationship without some kind of communication. Actually, it is impossible not to communicate because communication is not just words, it is what is done or not done that is a more trustworthy communication. Nonverbal communication is more that 60% of communication and is a more true indication of the heart than verbal communication. Jesus Christ is the true communication of the heart of the Father, communicating not only with his words, but in his life, death and resurrection.
Even though God is the Creator with infinite wisdom and knowledge, still, philosophers and theologians (we are all philosophers and theologians you know) could always argue that God's understanding of what it is like to be human was only hypothetical; it was not actual until the Word became flesh. God took that argument away in Jesus Christ, who fully experience what it is to be you and me! The Wonderful Counselor can empathize with us because he walked in our shoes!
By becoming flesh, God also revealed godliness in human form. He modeled love, humility, forgiveness, and anger. He showed us how to be compassionate and spread hope and joy. The question "What would Jesus do?" has become a cliche, but it is no less valid; Jesus is the model of godliness for you and me. We can see how God would deal with life if he were human.
Grace&Peace;
Tom
Sunday, April 11, 2010
JESUS, THE FIRST-BORN
And I will make him the first-born, the highest of the kings of earth (Psalms 89:27).
He is the image of the invisible God, the first-born of all creation (Colossians 1:15).
Psalms 89:27 is another of the Old Testament prophecies that was fulfilled in Christ Jesus. Sometimes a thoughtful Bible student will ask, "What does it mean that Christ was the first-born of creation? Does that mean that Jesus was created?" In modern times we tend to think in more literal terms than the ancients. Sometimes, literal thinking can lead us to conclusions that are not true, as in this instance.
Taking a good concordance and looking up the term "first-born," one will find that it is used more than 110 times in the Bible. Most of the time the term can be taken quite literally, but there are a significant number of times when it does not mean first in order, but first in place or first in rank, being the absolute best or the absolute worst. For instance, Job 18:13 says, "By disease his skin is consumed, the first-born of death consumes his limbs," meaning that the worst kind of dying is consuming Job.
When the Bible speaks of Jesus as being the "first-born of all creation," it means that Jesus is preeminent over all creation--not that he was created, but that he is the creator and sustainer of the universe. So, imagine the Creator lying in a manger because there was no room for him in the inn, or, imagine the Creator some 33 years later, dying on a cross for you and me. To the wise of this world, it just doesn't fit, but: God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise, God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong, God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast (I Corinthians 1:27-29).
The name, "First-Born," was a prophesied title of the Messiah who bore very nature of God (Hebrews 1:3) and the nature of man. The most important question is, however, is Jesus Christ the Preeminent One in your life?
Grace&Peace;
Tom
He is the image of the invisible God, the first-born of all creation (Colossians 1:15).
Psalms 89:27 is another of the Old Testament prophecies that was fulfilled in Christ Jesus. Sometimes a thoughtful Bible student will ask, "What does it mean that Christ was the first-born of creation? Does that mean that Jesus was created?" In modern times we tend to think in more literal terms than the ancients. Sometimes, literal thinking can lead us to conclusions that are not true, as in this instance.
Taking a good concordance and looking up the term "first-born," one will find that it is used more than 110 times in the Bible. Most of the time the term can be taken quite literally, but there are a significant number of times when it does not mean first in order, but first in place or first in rank, being the absolute best or the absolute worst. For instance, Job 18:13 says, "By disease his skin is consumed, the first-born of death consumes his limbs," meaning that the worst kind of dying is consuming Job.
When the Bible speaks of Jesus as being the "first-born of all creation," it means that Jesus is preeminent over all creation--not that he was created, but that he is the creator and sustainer of the universe. So, imagine the Creator lying in a manger because there was no room for him in the inn, or, imagine the Creator some 33 years later, dying on a cross for you and me. To the wise of this world, it just doesn't fit, but: God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise, God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong, God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast (I Corinthians 1:27-29).
The name, "First-Born," was a prophesied title of the Messiah who bore very nature of God (Hebrews 1:3) and the nature of man. The most important question is, however, is Jesus Christ the Preeminent One in your life?
Grace&Peace;
Tom
Thursday, April 08, 2010
ROCK JESUS
. . . just as you saw that a stone was cut from a mountain by no human hand, and that it broke to pieces the iron, the bronze, the clay, the silver and the gold (Daniel 2:45).
And he will become a sanctuary and a stone of offense, and a rock of stumbling . . . (Isaiah 8:14).
It has been said that there are about 300 prophecies in the Old Testament about Jesus Christ; the cited texts are but two of them. One of them is actually Daniel's interpretation of Nebuchadnezzer's dream, a timeline revealing the general time of the coming of Christ and his Kingdom.
Jesus Christ is the rock on which life is to be built (Matthew 7:24-27). For those who build their lives on Jesus, he is a sanctuary, a refuge, shelter, sustainer and an encourager, helping each one deal with the inevitable storms of life.
It was also prophesied that Jesus would become a stumbling stone to some and a rock of offense to other, and he has fulfilled that prophecy as well. His own people rejected him when they understood that he was not the kind of king they wanted. He is still rejected today for the same reason. He is rejected today because he is too narrow. He did not describe himself as a good teacher but as the way, the truth and the life. He is not away, but the way. He is not a truth, but the truth. He is not one source of life, but the source of life.
Many are offended by Christ and thus try to remove any reference to him in modern life. The Advent, Christmas, season, secularists and religionists simply call the winter holiday season--"Happy holidays," or "Season's greetings." And, they simply refer to Good Friday and Resurrection Day, Easter, as the spring holidays.
The truth is that in the end, every knee shall bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord (Philippians 2:10-11). No one will dismiss him as irrelevant! The question each person must answer now is, "Who is Jesus to me, a sanctuary, a stombling stone or an offense?" I hope you can answer with me that Rock Jesus is redemption and hope, the foundation for life.
Grace&Peace;
Tom
And he will become a sanctuary and a stone of offense, and a rock of stumbling . . . (Isaiah 8:14).
It has been said that there are about 300 prophecies in the Old Testament about Jesus Christ; the cited texts are but two of them. One of them is actually Daniel's interpretation of Nebuchadnezzer's dream, a timeline revealing the general time of the coming of Christ and his Kingdom.
Jesus Christ is the rock on which life is to be built (Matthew 7:24-27). For those who build their lives on Jesus, he is a sanctuary, a refuge, shelter, sustainer and an encourager, helping each one deal with the inevitable storms of life.
It was also prophesied that Jesus would become a stumbling stone to some and a rock of offense to other, and he has fulfilled that prophecy as well. His own people rejected him when they understood that he was not the kind of king they wanted. He is still rejected today for the same reason. He is rejected today because he is too narrow. He did not describe himself as a good teacher but as the way, the truth and the life. He is not away, but the way. He is not a truth, but the truth. He is not one source of life, but the source of life.
Many are offended by Christ and thus try to remove any reference to him in modern life. The Advent, Christmas, season, secularists and religionists simply call the winter holiday season--"Happy holidays," or "Season's greetings." And, they simply refer to Good Friday and Resurrection Day, Easter, as the spring holidays.
The truth is that in the end, every knee shall bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord (Philippians 2:10-11). No one will dismiss him as irrelevant! The question each person must answer now is, "Who is Jesus to me, a sanctuary, a stombling stone or an offense?" I hope you can answer with me that Rock Jesus is redemption and hope, the foundation for life.
Grace&Peace;
Tom
Saturday, April 03, 2010
JESUS, "DAVY CROCKETT" OF FAITH
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God (Hebrews 12:1-2).
According to the text, Jesus is our pioneer, blazing a trail for us to follow. The Greek word from which "pioneer" is translated is also translated as author, founder, captain, originator, leader,guide, and last but not least, champion. In popular American culture, Davy Crockett, "king of the wild frontier," exemplified all of those qualities of a pioneer. He is but a picture of what Jesus Christ actually did for us! What is clear is that the author of Hebrews intended for his readers to see Jesus as the trailblazer who is the source salvation, guidance and inspiration for their lives because of what he accomplished for us; he is the true pioneer, our champion.
My great grandparents homesteaded the farm on which Helen and I live in 1871. Silas, Rebecca and infant son, Henry, traveled across Iowa in a covered wagon powered by an ox team during the month of February so that they could be on the homestead by March 1. Also it must be noted that February travel made it much easier to traverse the swampy land and rivers because they were frozen. I have often drawn inspiration from them when I think of the hardships they endured as they were "pioneering" on the Northwest-Iowa prairie. God forgive us for taking for granted what has been given to us because of the hard work and sacrifice of our forefathers and mothers.
A pioneer is a trailblazer so that others can follow and benefit from what he has accomplished. Not only is Jesus life's "True North" reference point, he is the way, safely guiding us by blazing a trail for us to follow. Do you trust him? Often, the trail Jesus blazes is counter to conventional wisdom, for example, counting others better than ourselves (see Philippians 2:1-8), but that is the trail he has blazed. Will you travel that road?
Grace&Peace;
Tom
According to the text, Jesus is our pioneer, blazing a trail for us to follow. The Greek word from which "pioneer" is translated is also translated as author, founder, captain, originator, leader,guide, and last but not least, champion. In popular American culture, Davy Crockett, "king of the wild frontier," exemplified all of those qualities of a pioneer. He is but a picture of what Jesus Christ actually did for us! What is clear is that the author of Hebrews intended for his readers to see Jesus as the trailblazer who is the source salvation, guidance and inspiration for their lives because of what he accomplished for us; he is the true pioneer, our champion.
My great grandparents homesteaded the farm on which Helen and I live in 1871. Silas, Rebecca and infant son, Henry, traveled across Iowa in a covered wagon powered by an ox team during the month of February so that they could be on the homestead by March 1. Also it must be noted that February travel made it much easier to traverse the swampy land and rivers because they were frozen. I have often drawn inspiration from them when I think of the hardships they endured as they were "pioneering" on the Northwest-Iowa prairie. God forgive us for taking for granted what has been given to us because of the hard work and sacrifice of our forefathers and mothers.
A pioneer is a trailblazer so that others can follow and benefit from what he has accomplished. Not only is Jesus life's "True North" reference point, he is the way, safely guiding us by blazing a trail for us to follow. Do you trust him? Often, the trail Jesus blazes is counter to conventional wisdom, for example, counting others better than ourselves (see Philippians 2:1-8), but that is the trail he has blazed. Will you travel that road?
Grace&Peace;
Tom
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR
A star shall come forth out of Jacob, and a scepter shall rise out of Israel (Numbers 24:17b).
You will do well to pay attention to this as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts (II Peter 1:19b).
I am the root and the offspring of David, the bright morning star (Revelation 22:16b).
If one can locate the Big Dipper in the night sky, locating the North Star, Polaris, is easy. Line up the two stars on the far end of the dipper in the direction of the open top and continue on that line to Polaris. Polaris is not a brighter star than any of the others, but it is always in line with the Big Dipper. Depending on the time, the Dipper will be in different positions because it appears to rotate around Polaris, but Polaris is always in the same position, True North. Finding the North Star is the first lesson of basic navigation.
The first lesson of life navigation is to find the North Star of life. Locating life's True North can be difficult because there are many who say that True North does not exist; what is true for me is not true for you. Jesus Christ lays the claim to being True North for every one. He aligns with the stars of prophetic truth, historical truth and nature's truth.so that in a universe of many lights, he is not hard to find. The question is, how do you find True North? Is that taking you where you want to go?
When the planet Venus is in the east, it is known as the Morning Star because it is the brightest light in the sky; a sign that the morning light is not too distant. The birth, life, death, burial and resurrection of Jesus is the sign that the morning light of a new day is not too far distant, thus Jesus Christ is a star of hope keeping us going when the night seems the darkest.
Jesus Christ is the superstar of guidance and hope!!!
Grace&Peace;
Tom
You will do well to pay attention to this as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts (II Peter 1:19b).
I am the root and the offspring of David, the bright morning star (Revelation 22:16b).
If one can locate the Big Dipper in the night sky, locating the North Star, Polaris, is easy. Line up the two stars on the far end of the dipper in the direction of the open top and continue on that line to Polaris. Polaris is not a brighter star than any of the others, but it is always in line with the Big Dipper. Depending on the time, the Dipper will be in different positions because it appears to rotate around Polaris, but Polaris is always in the same position, True North. Finding the North Star is the first lesson of basic navigation.
The first lesson of life navigation is to find the North Star of life. Locating life's True North can be difficult because there are many who say that True North does not exist; what is true for me is not true for you. Jesus Christ lays the claim to being True North for every one. He aligns with the stars of prophetic truth, historical truth and nature's truth.so that in a universe of many lights, he is not hard to find. The question is, how do you find True North? Is that taking you where you want to go?
When the planet Venus is in the east, it is known as the Morning Star because it is the brightest light in the sky; a sign that the morning light is not too distant. The birth, life, death, burial and resurrection of Jesus is the sign that the morning light of a new day is not too far distant, thus Jesus Christ is a star of hope keeping us going when the night seems the darkest.
Jesus Christ is the superstar of guidance and hope!!!
Grace&Peace;
Tom
Friday, March 26, 2010
WHEN THE TIME WAS RIGHT
but when the time had fully come, God sent forth his Son, born of a woman . . . (Galatians 4:4).
Many have speculated about why Jesus' entrance into the world was when it was, 6 to 4 BC--calender correction. It has been noted that the Pax Romana, the Roman Peace, provided the stability required for one to travel from the Nile to Britain without hindrance. The Romans built great roads throughout the Empire, providing much easier transportation, and an efficient postal system through which a letter could travel 170 miles in 24 hours. As a result, there was reliable communication with the distant parts of the empire; the apostles and evangelists made good use of them.
Because of the armies of Alexander the Great, Koine Greek was spoken from India throughout the Middle East. During the time of the Romans it was spoken throughout the Empire. From 300 BC to 330 AD Koine Greek was the language of the world, making the task of sharing Christ with the nations much easier.
There is consensus that there was a feeling of expectancy that a "Holy One" would be born. Some have pointed to what Confucious, Zoroaster and Virgil predicted. Others point to Homer, Plato and Socrates' Messianic symbolism in their writing and teaching as the cause of that expectancy. I do believe the expectancy of a Messiah was real, but that it was produced by the Old Testament prophets. As the Hebrew people were dispersed throughout the lands, they took those prophecies with them and influenced the world. Daniel's prophecy was especially influential, having a definite time line for the coming of the Messiah; it was well known.
The time had fully come because it was on the time line that the prophets foretold. The God has not revealed a specific time line for the Lord's second coming, though he has given us some general indicators that history is headed in that direction. Wouldn't it be great if he came to receive us home by Christmas? Are you prepared for his appearing?
Grace&Peace;
Tom
Many have speculated about why Jesus' entrance into the world was when it was, 6 to 4 BC--calender correction. It has been noted that the Pax Romana, the Roman Peace, provided the stability required for one to travel from the Nile to Britain without hindrance. The Romans built great roads throughout the Empire, providing much easier transportation, and an efficient postal system through which a letter could travel 170 miles in 24 hours. As a result, there was reliable communication with the distant parts of the empire; the apostles and evangelists made good use of them.
Because of the armies of Alexander the Great, Koine Greek was spoken from India throughout the Middle East. During the time of the Romans it was spoken throughout the Empire. From 300 BC to 330 AD Koine Greek was the language of the world, making the task of sharing Christ with the nations much easier.
There is consensus that there was a feeling of expectancy that a "Holy One" would be born. Some have pointed to what Confucious, Zoroaster and Virgil predicted. Others point to Homer, Plato and Socrates' Messianic symbolism in their writing and teaching as the cause of that expectancy. I do believe the expectancy of a Messiah was real, but that it was produced by the Old Testament prophets. As the Hebrew people were dispersed throughout the lands, they took those prophecies with them and influenced the world. Daniel's prophecy was especially influential, having a definite time line for the coming of the Messiah; it was well known.
The time had fully come because it was on the time line that the prophets foretold. The God has not revealed a specific time line for the Lord's second coming, though he has given us some general indicators that history is headed in that direction. Wouldn't it be great if he came to receive us home by Christmas? Are you prepared for his appearing?
Grace&Peace;
Tom
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
RIDING HOME AGAINST THE WIND
The wicked are not so, but are like chaff which the wind drives away (Psalms 1:4).
When the weather was really cold this last winter, while I was doing my daily walk, I was walking against a strong northwest wind. It reminded me of my feelings as a boy, riding my bike home against the wind. As a boy, the farm on which my family lived was five miles north of Sutherland. When I was in third grade I started to ride my bike, an old hand-me-down girl's bike with a wobbly wheel, the five miles to school. I loved the feeling of independence, riding the school bus was not my favorite thing to do. Once in a while I would meet a couple of friends and we would ride together, but I think I rode more than any of them.
Riding to school was great because most often the wind was at my back. Riding in town was great because the streets were paved and the wind diminished because of the many buildings and trees. Going home was another story. Often the wind was so strong that it was very disheartening to a 9-year-old boy on a heavy girl's bike with a wobbly wheel. Those were the days when there were no multi-speed transmissions on bicycles so at times I just had to get off the bike and push. Quitting was not an option because even at age 9 I understood that there are consequences to quitting. It was always good to get home. There was always something to eat as well as love and acceptance. Home was just a good place to be.
As I walked against the much-below-zero-wind-chill wind that day, I thought that the faithful life is much like riding a bike on a gravel road home against the wind. Life, with all of its hardships and sorrows, like riding against the wind, it still worth the ride. Arriving home is even better because one is finally home with the best family ever! I also noted that if one only rides with the wind at his back, he is taken farther and farther away from home: But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind (James 1:6). To believe, one has to go against the wind, but it is in believing that we find our way home.
Has your faith in Christ taken you against the wind?
Grace&Peace;
Tom
When the weather was really cold this last winter, while I was doing my daily walk, I was walking against a strong northwest wind. It reminded me of my feelings as a boy, riding my bike home against the wind. As a boy, the farm on which my family lived was five miles north of Sutherland. When I was in third grade I started to ride my bike, an old hand-me-down girl's bike with a wobbly wheel, the five miles to school. I loved the feeling of independence, riding the school bus was not my favorite thing to do. Once in a while I would meet a couple of friends and we would ride together, but I think I rode more than any of them.
Riding to school was great because most often the wind was at my back. Riding in town was great because the streets were paved and the wind diminished because of the many buildings and trees. Going home was another story. Often the wind was so strong that it was very disheartening to a 9-year-old boy on a heavy girl's bike with a wobbly wheel. Those were the days when there were no multi-speed transmissions on bicycles so at times I just had to get off the bike and push. Quitting was not an option because even at age 9 I understood that there are consequences to quitting. It was always good to get home. There was always something to eat as well as love and acceptance. Home was just a good place to be.
As I walked against the much-below-zero-wind-chill wind that day, I thought that the faithful life is much like riding a bike on a gravel road home against the wind. Life, with all of its hardships and sorrows, like riding against the wind, it still worth the ride. Arriving home is even better because one is finally home with the best family ever! I also noted that if one only rides with the wind at his back, he is taken farther and farther away from home: But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind (James 1:6). To believe, one has to go against the wind, but it is in believing that we find our way home.
Has your faith in Christ taken you against the wind?
Grace&Peace;
Tom
Friday, March 19, 2010
THE DEPOPULATION BOMB
The third angel blew his trumpet, and a great star fell from heaven, blazing like a torch, and it fell on a third of the rivers and on the fountains of water. The name of the star is Wormwood. A third of the waters became wormwood, and many men died of the water, because it was made bitter (Revelation 8:10-11).
Fertility rates are down the world over. Every woman of childbearing age has to produce 2.1 children to replace a nation's population. The United States is almost there at 2.05 while China, in spite of its one-child-per-couple policy, stands at 1.7. Russia is losing an astonishing 700,000 people a year. The reason we are seeing a growing world population is that more people are living to old age. One only has to read the obituaries in the local newspaper to see that the great majority of deaths are people 75 into the 100's years of age. With all of the industrial and agricultural poisoning of the planet, why are people living longer?
What is behind depopulation? In my own reading I found that some believe there is something in the water, either by God or by government (the reason for the cited text). Another reason given was higher testosterone levels in both males and females that actually reduce fertility in both sexes. Certainly, another cause is abortion. Vietnam and Romania have the highest rates, but a million and a half American abortions is abominable! Sterility caused by sexually transmitted disease is still another factor.
Think of what falling birth rates mean to the social programs upon which seniors have come to depend; Social Security and Medicare. There will be fewer and fewer workers to support those elderly who are in need of support. These kinds of programs are unsustainable in the long term so the wise will prepare not to depend on the government. Do not look at retirement as a goal, but continue to do something of economic value as long as possible. Rampant inflation and an unsustainable national economic model require this.
Every prophecy of catastrophe because of over population has failed because human beings are resources, not liabilities. Depopulation will be a catastrophe and a curse and qualifies as one of my general sign of the times. It might be that God is closing the wombs, preparing an older generation that has already made its choices to face the judgment.
Fertility rates are down the world over. Every woman of childbearing age has to produce 2.1 children to replace a nation's population. The United States is almost there at 2.05 while China, in spite of its one-child-per-couple policy, stands at 1.7. Russia is losing an astonishing 700,000 people a year. The reason we are seeing a growing world population is that more people are living to old age. One only has to read the obituaries in the local newspaper to see that the great majority of deaths are people 75 into the 100's years of age. With all of the industrial and agricultural poisoning of the planet, why are people living longer?
What is behind depopulation? In my own reading I found that some believe there is something in the water, either by God or by government (the reason for the cited text). Another reason given was higher testosterone levels in both males and females that actually reduce fertility in both sexes. Certainly, another cause is abortion. Vietnam and Romania have the highest rates, but a million and a half American abortions is abominable! Sterility caused by sexually transmitted disease is still another factor.
Think of what falling birth rates mean to the social programs upon which seniors have come to depend; Social Security and Medicare. There will be fewer and fewer workers to support those elderly who are in need of support. These kinds of programs are unsustainable in the long term so the wise will prepare not to depend on the government. Do not look at retirement as a goal, but continue to do something of economic value as long as possible. Rampant inflation and an unsustainable national economic model require this.
Every prophecy of catastrophe because of over population has failed because human beings are resources, not liabilities. Depopulation will be a catastrophe and a curse and qualifies as one of my general sign of the times. It might be that God is closing the wombs, preparing an older generation that has already made its choices to face the judgment.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
ANGELOLOGY
Are they not ministering spirits sent forth to serve, for the sake of those who are to obtain salvation? (Hebrews 1:4).
Prominent figures involved in the birth of Christ Jesus, and his resurrection are the angels. Not only were angels created to be involved in carrying out God's purposes on this earth, they were created by God to minister to the needs of those who are being saved. It will be interesting to have a conversation with our angel when we get to heaven about the near misses, burprise blessings and spiritual strength that were sent our way because of his ministry to us. I know there are many who have personal testimonies of miraculous interventions that defy an other explanation other than the ministry of an angel.
When discussing the ministry of angels, one of the inevitable questions that come up is: "If each little one has an angel, why do they not intervene more often to prevent abortion, abuse and sex abuse that is so common?" At this point the previous "Bullet" text should be noted: See that you do not despise one of these little ones; for I tell you that in heaven their angels always behold the face of my Father who is in heaven (Matthew 18:10). That is a question for which only God has the right answer, but one of the things Jesus teaches in the text that is absolutely sure, God is recording through the testimony of their angels all of the wrongs done to these helpless and powerless ones and there will be an accounting on the Day of judgment!!! Of the angels he says,"Who makes his angels winds, and his servants flames of fire" (Hebrews 1:7). In saying this, God means that Angels administrate God's righteous judgments with wind-driven fire. We know from the Lord's Prayer that in Heaven angels carry out God's will without question or hesitation; there will be no mercy shown to those who have harmed a little one!
One of the good TV programs this year is Undercover Boss. It is about CEO's who go undercover to view how things really work in their companies. I asked the lovely and gracious Helen if she thought our Boss goes undercover to see how our ministry is working. Though she just smiled it is worth considering this verse: Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares (Hebrews 13:2).
Grace&Peace;
Tom
Prominent figures involved in the birth of Christ Jesus, and his resurrection are the angels. Not only were angels created to be involved in carrying out God's purposes on this earth, they were created by God to minister to the needs of those who are being saved. It will be interesting to have a conversation with our angel when we get to heaven about the near misses, burprise blessings and spiritual strength that were sent our way because of his ministry to us. I know there are many who have personal testimonies of miraculous interventions that defy an other explanation other than the ministry of an angel.
When discussing the ministry of angels, one of the inevitable questions that come up is: "If each little one has an angel, why do they not intervene more often to prevent abortion, abuse and sex abuse that is so common?" At this point the previous "Bullet" text should be noted: See that you do not despise one of these little ones; for I tell you that in heaven their angels always behold the face of my Father who is in heaven (Matthew 18:10). That is a question for which only God has the right answer, but one of the things Jesus teaches in the text that is absolutely sure, God is recording through the testimony of their angels all of the wrongs done to these helpless and powerless ones and there will be an accounting on the Day of judgment!!! Of the angels he says,"Who makes his angels winds, and his servants flames of fire" (Hebrews 1:7). In saying this, God means that Angels administrate God's righteous judgments with wind-driven fire. We know from the Lord's Prayer that in Heaven angels carry out God's will without question or hesitation; there will be no mercy shown to those who have harmed a little one!
One of the good TV programs this year is Undercover Boss. It is about CEO's who go undercover to view how things really work in their companies. I asked the lovely and gracious Helen if she thought our Boss goes undercover to see how our ministry is working. Though she just smiled it is worth considering this verse: Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares (Hebrews 13:2).
Grace&Peace;
Tom
Monday, March 15, 2010
RECEIVING A LITTLE ONE
See that you do not despise one of these little ones; for I tell you that in heaven their angels always behold the face of my Father who is in heaven (Matthew 18:10).
Children are an awesome responsibility. I believe one of the things this verse teaches is that the angel of each little one is keeping record of the wrongs done to that child by those who should know better; wrongs for which they must give account in judgment: Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me; but who ever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened round his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea (Matthew 18:6).
Each year close to a million and a half babies are killed when their mother's pregnancies are aborted. I use the term babies because, with the use of modern technology, one can view all the distinguishing characteristics of a human being right down to the nipples on a one-inch fetus. In almost every case, the reason for abortion has to do with the view one has of that little one growing inside. The eyes of faith view baby as a blessing; the eyes of unbelief see that little one as a burden to heavy to bear.
Granted, I am a man writing these thoughts for women facing the challenges of bearing and raising a child in difficult circumstances, so perhaps I do not understand the anxiety in their lives. Nevertheless, if a little one is received as Jesus the blessings will be more enormous than the challenges. Receiving Jesus means that a lot of changes will occur. It is no less so in receiving a child in Jesus' name, but they are good changes. For those who cannot bear the changes, what a wonderful gift of life can be given to a couple who have room in their hearts for a little one, but cannot conceive new life on their own!
Children are an awesome responsibility. I believe one of the things this verse teaches is that the angel of each little one is keeping record of the wrongs done to that child by those who should know better; wrongs for which they must give account in judgment: Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me; but who ever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened round his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea (Matthew 18:6).
Each year close to a million and a half babies are killed when their mother's pregnancies are aborted. I use the term babies because, with the use of modern technology, one can view all the distinguishing characteristics of a human being right down to the nipples on a one-inch fetus. In almost every case, the reason for abortion has to do with the view one has of that little one growing inside. The eyes of faith view baby as a blessing; the eyes of unbelief see that little one as a burden to heavy to bear.
Granted, I am a man writing these thoughts for women facing the challenges of bearing and raising a child in difficult circumstances, so perhaps I do not understand the anxiety in their lives. Nevertheless, if a little one is received as Jesus the blessings will be more enormous than the challenges. Receiving Jesus means that a lot of changes will occur. It is no less so in receiving a child in Jesus' name, but they are good changes. For those who cannot bear the changes, what a wonderful gift of life can be given to a couple who have room in their hearts for a little one, but cannot conceive new life on their own!
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
A PARABLE FOR TEACHERS
As for what was sown on good soil, this is he who hears the word and understands it; he indeed bears fruit, and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty (Matthew 13:23). One should take the time to read the whole parable in Matthew 13:1-23.
Preaching and teaching can be discouraging business because sometimes it seems as if one's teaching is making little if any impact on the students. There is an old saw that says, "If a kid hasn't learned then the teacher hasn't taught." There is some truth to that, but in truth, very little. The teacher is responsible to do the best teaching he or she can do, but the actual learning depends on the attitude of the student.
Some attitudes are so negative that teaching and discipline is rejected without thought. Others are smart and receive teaching quickly, but lack the discipline to stick with it and, as a result, the teaching dies from lack of use. Still others receive the teaching, but competing interests and lack of focus chokes it out. Finally, however, there are those students who receive the teaching and are emotionally mature enough to incorporate it into their lives according to their ability--the parable teaches that not all good students have the same capacity.
It might seem as if the parable is saying that only 25% of folks are going to bear very much fruit from the seed of the gospel. However, in some fields the whole field is good soil and the fruit of the teacher/preacher is astonishing. In other fields there are large amounts of compacted, shallow and weedy soils so the labor is hard and the harvest is meager. The one who labors in these fields has to plow, water, fertilize and weed if there will be any harvest at all, but the truth is that there will always be a harvest. If one is faithful in sowing the seed of truth, there will always be a harvest.
One of the reasons Jesus taught in parables was to separate the customer from the window shopper and the serious disciple from the fair-weather follower. Which one are you?
Grace&Peace;
Tom
Preaching and teaching can be discouraging business because sometimes it seems as if one's teaching is making little if any impact on the students. There is an old saw that says, "If a kid hasn't learned then the teacher hasn't taught." There is some truth to that, but in truth, very little. The teacher is responsible to do the best teaching he or she can do, but the actual learning depends on the attitude of the student.
Some attitudes are so negative that teaching and discipline is rejected without thought. Others are smart and receive teaching quickly, but lack the discipline to stick with it and, as a result, the teaching dies from lack of use. Still others receive the teaching, but competing interests and lack of focus chokes it out. Finally, however, there are those students who receive the teaching and are emotionally mature enough to incorporate it into their lives according to their ability--the parable teaches that not all good students have the same capacity.
It might seem as if the parable is saying that only 25% of folks are going to bear very much fruit from the seed of the gospel. However, in some fields the whole field is good soil and the fruit of the teacher/preacher is astonishing. In other fields there are large amounts of compacted, shallow and weedy soils so the labor is hard and the harvest is meager. The one who labors in these fields has to plow, water, fertilize and weed if there will be any harvest at all, but the truth is that there will always be a harvest. If one is faithful in sowing the seed of truth, there will always be a harvest.
One of the reasons Jesus taught in parables was to separate the customer from the window shopper and the serious disciple from the fair-weather follower. Which one are you?
Grace&Peace;
Tom
Friday, March 05, 2010
THE KINGDOM OF GOD
"The kingdom of God is not coming with signs to be observed; nor will they say, 'Lo, here it is' or 'There!' for behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you" (Luke 17:21).
Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, On earth as it is in heaven (Matthew 6:10).
We reign with Christ in his kingdom when Christ reigns in our hearts; the kingdom of God is within us. The kings of earth use their power to rule physical territory. They enact laws at their whim and use their power to force their subjects to obey. God almost always acts in ways completely opposite to the conventional wisdom. Christ does not twist our arms and muscle his way into our lives, rather, he entered the world in the most humble circumstances and died in indignity because of his love for us. If the persuasion of love does not open the door, a heart will never be truly surrendered to the Lord Jesus Christ.
The answer to the Lord's Prayer begins in the heart of each person because that is the territory that God wants to rule. When God rules the heart of a person, his will will be done on earth as it is in heaven in that person's life. The Lord's Prayer is a personal prayer of surrender to the will of God.
The worst imaginable future for anyone is to be cast into hell. Jesus said that, If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and throw it away; it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and through it away; it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell (Matthew 6:29-30). What he means is that to be in the kingdom one must cast away the nearest and dearest impediments to entering it. As painful as that is, hell is infinitely more painful. While it is almost a certainty that the Lord did not literally mean to pluck out eyes, cut off hands and sexual organs, it would certainly mean the surrender of sexuality for the sake of the kingdom. Sex is added here because, in our culture, sex and materialism are the dominant gods.
The day is coming when everyone will see the King in his power and majesty and bow before him (Philippians 2:9-11). Until that day it is the free decision of each person to allow the King to enter their hearts and sing, Joy to the world! The Lord has come; let earth receive her king . . .
Grace&Peace;
Tom
Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, On earth as it is in heaven (Matthew 6:10).
We reign with Christ in his kingdom when Christ reigns in our hearts; the kingdom of God is within us. The kings of earth use their power to rule physical territory. They enact laws at their whim and use their power to force their subjects to obey. God almost always acts in ways completely opposite to the conventional wisdom. Christ does not twist our arms and muscle his way into our lives, rather, he entered the world in the most humble circumstances and died in indignity because of his love for us. If the persuasion of love does not open the door, a heart will never be truly surrendered to the Lord Jesus Christ.
The answer to the Lord's Prayer begins in the heart of each person because that is the territory that God wants to rule. When God rules the heart of a person, his will will be done on earth as it is in heaven in that person's life. The Lord's Prayer is a personal prayer of surrender to the will of God.
The worst imaginable future for anyone is to be cast into hell. Jesus said that, If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and throw it away; it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and through it away; it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell (Matthew 6:29-30). What he means is that to be in the kingdom one must cast away the nearest and dearest impediments to entering it. As painful as that is, hell is infinitely more painful. While it is almost a certainty that the Lord did not literally mean to pluck out eyes, cut off hands and sexual organs, it would certainly mean the surrender of sexuality for the sake of the kingdom. Sex is added here because, in our culture, sex and materialism are the dominant gods.
The day is coming when everyone will see the King in his power and majesty and bow before him (Philippians 2:9-11). Until that day it is the free decision of each person to allow the King to enter their hearts and sing, Joy to the world! The Lord has come; let earth receive her king . . .
Grace&Peace;
Tom
Wednesday, March 03, 2010
IS SATAN BOUND?
Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, holding in his hand the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain. And he seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years, and threw him into the pit, and shut it and sealed it over him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years were ended. After that he must be loosed for a little while (Revelation 20:1-3).
The kingdom of heaven is like leaven which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal, till it was all leavened (Matthew 13:33).
The prophecy of Genesis 3:15 was fulfilled in the ministry of Christ. In the days of Noah, satan had nearly unrestricted freedom so that every imagination of the hearts of man were wicked so that the earth was filled with violence and corruption (Genesis 6:5&11). Perhaps satan has never had complete freedom as the book of Job testifies that God limited what satan could do to Job (1:12 & 2:6). Jesus described his ministry in Luke 4:18-19 as the fulfillment of Isaiah 61:1-2. He could not "set at liberty those who are oppressed" until satan had been bound to some degree: But no one can enter a strong man's house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man; then indeed he may plunder his house (Mark 3:27).
If satan is bound, one might argue that there is certainly a great amount of evil in the world. In response it could also be argued that, yes, while there is a great amount of evil in the world, it is not like the days of Noah. My argument is that the binding of satan is a relative term. Because of his binding, the kingdom of heaven has penetrated the world in many ways, as the kingdom parable suggests. Think of the influence Christ has had on the laws, arts and sciences of the modern world--do some personal research on this. This kind of penatration could have never happened if satan was not restricted in some way. And, it should go without saying, millions and millions have been able to receive the gift of salvation because satan's activities have been restricted.
What do you think satan's loosing will mean?
Grace&Peace,
Tom
The kingdom of heaven is like leaven which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal, till it was all leavened (Matthew 13:33).
The prophecy of Genesis 3:15 was fulfilled in the ministry of Christ. In the days of Noah, satan had nearly unrestricted freedom so that every imagination of the hearts of man were wicked so that the earth was filled with violence and corruption (Genesis 6:5&11). Perhaps satan has never had complete freedom as the book of Job testifies that God limited what satan could do to Job (1:12 & 2:6). Jesus described his ministry in Luke 4:18-19 as the fulfillment of Isaiah 61:1-2. He could not "set at liberty those who are oppressed" until satan had been bound to some degree: But no one can enter a strong man's house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man; then indeed he may plunder his house (Mark 3:27).
If satan is bound, one might argue that there is certainly a great amount of evil in the world. In response it could also be argued that, yes, while there is a great amount of evil in the world, it is not like the days of Noah. My argument is that the binding of satan is a relative term. Because of his binding, the kingdom of heaven has penetrated the world in many ways, as the kingdom parable suggests. Think of the influence Christ has had on the laws, arts and sciences of the modern world--do some personal research on this. This kind of penatration could have never happened if satan was not restricted in some way. And, it should go without saying, millions and millions have been able to receive the gift of salvation because satan's activities have been restricted.
What do you think satan's loosing will mean?
Grace&Peace,
Tom
SHADES OF GRACE
As each has received a gift, employ it for one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace (I Peter 4:10).
Peter says there are variations of God's grace. God's grace reminds me of a well-cut diamond with its many different facets, each sparking in a little different way. All people are blessed with God's grace. As a result of his creation, and his sustenance of that creation, the sunshine and the rain bless every person! The beauty of the earth, the sun, moon and stars are witnesses to the wisdom, power and majesty of God. The one who has created and named a billion trillion stars in the universe*, who knows the number of the hairs on the heads of six billion people is our Father God who graces us with life and breath and everything (Acts 17:25). These graces are unconditional so that they bless each and every person.
Though the price of salvation has been paid for each person, it is only the one who surrenders to Christ who receives salvation. The grace that saves is extended to the one who believes, repents and is baptized (Acts 2:38; Romans 6:1-8). Though salvation is intended for all, it is only given to those who will receive it.
In the context of I Peter 4:10, Peter is speaking of some of the graces that serve. It is my personal belief that these graces are given so that God's purposes will be fulfilled. How will God bel glorified without those who are faithful in prayer, love, hospitality and financial giving? How will God's purposes be fulfilled without leaders, teachers and preachers who are faithful in the word? Each one of these graces is a different shade of grace. God is glorified when one sparkles with the shade of he or she has received!
Grace&Peace,
Tom
*The number of stars some scientist have estimated are in the universe. The Psalms say that God has named each one.
Peter says there are variations of God's grace. God's grace reminds me of a well-cut diamond with its many different facets, each sparking in a little different way. All people are blessed with God's grace. As a result of his creation, and his sustenance of that creation, the sunshine and the rain bless every person! The beauty of the earth, the sun, moon and stars are witnesses to the wisdom, power and majesty of God. The one who has created and named a billion trillion stars in the universe*, who knows the number of the hairs on the heads of six billion people is our Father God who graces us with life and breath and everything (Acts 17:25). These graces are unconditional so that they bless each and every person.
Though the price of salvation has been paid for each person, it is only the one who surrenders to Christ who receives salvation. The grace that saves is extended to the one who believes, repents and is baptized (Acts 2:38; Romans 6:1-8). Though salvation is intended for all, it is only given to those who will receive it.
In the context of I Peter 4:10, Peter is speaking of some of the graces that serve. It is my personal belief that these graces are given so that God's purposes will be fulfilled. How will God bel glorified without those who are faithful in prayer, love, hospitality and financial giving? How will God's purposes be fulfilled without leaders, teachers and preachers who are faithful in the word? Each one of these graces is a different shade of grace. God is glorified when one sparkles with the shade of he or she has received!
Grace&Peace,
Tom
*The number of stars some scientist have estimated are in the universe. The Psalms say that God has named each one.
Monday, March 01, 2010
BEYOND THE PALE
The Lord is not slow about his promise as some count slowness, but is forbearing toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance (II Peter 3:9).
It was a sad sight to me. Here he was, an elder in my congregation, sitting on an up-side-down bucket smoking a cigar. He was thinking about going fishing. This was the third week in a row that he had missed church, so I had to know what was going on with him. My elder knew the Bible well, perhaps better than I. He lived what he believed. He always attended church, so his absence was out of character for him, as was smoking a cigar. What could have happened to keep him from worshipping with the family of God?
The elder was not surprised that I was there. We had had many Bible studies and discussions; some of them being about reformed theology, so he had a ready answer when I asked him, "What's going on?" "I'm beyond the pale of God's grace," he replied. He was feeling as if he was not acceptable to God because he was not one of God's elect, though he had been baptized on his confession of faith in Christ. The truth was, however, he was in the down phase of bi-polar disorder; he was not beyond the pale! His feelings were real, but his feelings were not the truth!
The theological truth is that no one is beyond the reach of God's grace except those who refuse to surrender their lives to the love and rule of Jesus the Christ. The context of II Peter 3:9 is quite clear, the Lord delays his coming so that each person has ample opportunity to come to Christ. God has ordained that his grace extends to all who will receive it. When one feels that he is "beyond the pale," his feelings are lies from the father of lies! Rejection of Jesus Christ is the only thing that puts one beyond the pale of God's saving grace!
God has not made some people for Heaven and other people for hell; it is contrary to his nature. God is not a respector of persons (Acts 10:34-35). Hell was made for the devil and his angels (Matthew 25:41). People go there only because they reject the one who came to save them!
Grace&Peace;
Tom
It was a sad sight to me. Here he was, an elder in my congregation, sitting on an up-side-down bucket smoking a cigar. He was thinking about going fishing. This was the third week in a row that he had missed church, so I had to know what was going on with him. My elder knew the Bible well, perhaps better than I. He lived what he believed. He always attended church, so his absence was out of character for him, as was smoking a cigar. What could have happened to keep him from worshipping with the family of God?
The elder was not surprised that I was there. We had had many Bible studies and discussions; some of them being about reformed theology, so he had a ready answer when I asked him, "What's going on?" "I'm beyond the pale of God's grace," he replied. He was feeling as if he was not acceptable to God because he was not one of God's elect, though he had been baptized on his confession of faith in Christ. The truth was, however, he was in the down phase of bi-polar disorder; he was not beyond the pale! His feelings were real, but his feelings were not the truth!
The theological truth is that no one is beyond the reach of God's grace except those who refuse to surrender their lives to the love and rule of Jesus the Christ. The context of II Peter 3:9 is quite clear, the Lord delays his coming so that each person has ample opportunity to come to Christ. God has ordained that his grace extends to all who will receive it. When one feels that he is "beyond the pale," his feelings are lies from the father of lies! Rejection of Jesus Christ is the only thing that puts one beyond the pale of God's saving grace!
God has not made some people for Heaven and other people for hell; it is contrary to his nature. God is not a respector of persons (Acts 10:34-35). Hell was made for the devil and his angels (Matthew 25:41). People go there only because they reject the one who came to save them!
Grace&Peace;
Tom
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