Thursday, December 10, 2009
Gods' Love
This morning on my way to work. I was thinking about what it means to be loved by God. Doesn't it seem to be the hardest thing to grasp? It is infinite in depth, infinite in height, infinite in length and in width. With such a great expanse of love for us, I can hardly grasp how much I am loved by the creator of the universe.
Monday, December 7, 2009
Psalm 119:121
I have done judgment and justice: leave me not to mine oppressors.
It was never easy giving an F to a student. In fact, if there were any way around it, Jill would have taken it. Most of the time the student was willing to do anything to avoid the bad mark. Garrett was another case. She had offered to tutor him, she had given him extra-credit work to do, and she had taken all kinds of extra time with him. Through it all he had just blown her off, ignoring her attempts to help and mocking her to his friends. He had ripped up notes she had written to his parents, and he forged his parents' signature on his report cards. Jill had contacted Garrett's parents, but they were too busy to come in. Now, however, with a F in hand, the parents were coming, and they were looking to pick a fight.
Doing what is right is not all that easy. When we dedicate ourselves to justice, we must be ready to face the wrath of all those who don't see things the same way we do. God loves justice and righteousness, and we need to remember that He is ever on the side of what is right. He will be with us when we face persecution for righteousness' sake. Rely on Him.
It was never easy giving an F to a student. In fact, if there were any way around it, Jill would have taken it. Most of the time the student was willing to do anything to avoid the bad mark. Garrett was another case. She had offered to tutor him, she had given him extra-credit work to do, and she had taken all kinds of extra time with him. Through it all he had just blown her off, ignoring her attempts to help and mocking her to his friends. He had ripped up notes she had written to his parents, and he forged his parents' signature on his report cards. Jill had contacted Garrett's parents, but they were too busy to come in. Now, however, with a F in hand, the parents were coming, and they were looking to pick a fight.
Doing what is right is not all that easy. When we dedicate ourselves to justice, we must be ready to face the wrath of all those who don't see things the same way we do. God loves justice and righteousness, and we need to remember that He is ever on the side of what is right. He will be with us when we face persecution for righteousness' sake. Rely on Him.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Amos 7:7,8
The Lord was standing by a vertical wall, with a plumb line in His hand. And the Lord said to me, "What do you see, Amos?"...Then the Lord said, "Behold I am about to put a plumb line in the midst of My people Israel."
"The strength of a nation," said Abraham Lincoln, "lies in the homes of its people." In other words, the state of the union is determined by the state of the marriage union-the condition of our nation's marriages, families and homes.
By what yardstick can we accurately measure how our homes are doing? The prophet Amos stood by a wall that was straight or "plumb" according to God's own measure. That is the measure we need to apply to our homes and our nation.
Yet, even as far back as 1947, historian Carle Zimmerman wrote a chilling account of the factors that he said have led to the ultimate collapse of a civilization. In those ruins he found that marriage had lost its sacredness and was frequently broken by divorce. Women lost their inclination for childbearing, and the birth rate decreased. There was public disrespect for parents, parenthood and authority in general.
He also found that there had been an increase in juvenile delinquency, promiscuity and rebellion. Even people with traditional marriages refused to accept family responsibilities. Adultery was increasingly accepted. There was an increasing desire for, and spread of, sexual perversions of all kinds, including homosexuality.
Think about Zimmerman's study as you look at the state of our country today. Half of all new marriages now end in divorce. The birth rate has declined. Juvenile delinquency, sexual perversion and promiscuity are rampant.
Why is this happening? Because the state of the union is determined by the state of the marriage union. Are we destined to follow in the footsteps of cultures that have fallen because of all this? Our only hope is to rebuild the walls of both the home and the nation according to God's plumb line.
"The strength of a nation," said Abraham Lincoln, "lies in the homes of its people." In other words, the state of the union is determined by the state of the marriage union-the condition of our nation's marriages, families and homes.
By what yardstick can we accurately measure how our homes are doing? The prophet Amos stood by a wall that was straight or "plumb" according to God's own measure. That is the measure we need to apply to our homes and our nation.
Yet, even as far back as 1947, historian Carle Zimmerman wrote a chilling account of the factors that he said have led to the ultimate collapse of a civilization. In those ruins he found that marriage had lost its sacredness and was frequently broken by divorce. Women lost their inclination for childbearing, and the birth rate decreased. There was public disrespect for parents, parenthood and authority in general.
He also found that there had been an increase in juvenile delinquency, promiscuity and rebellion. Even people with traditional marriages refused to accept family responsibilities. Adultery was increasingly accepted. There was an increasing desire for, and spread of, sexual perversions of all kinds, including homosexuality.
Think about Zimmerman's study as you look at the state of our country today. Half of all new marriages now end in divorce. The birth rate has declined. Juvenile delinquency, sexual perversion and promiscuity are rampant.
Why is this happening? Because the state of the union is determined by the state of the marriage union. Are we destined to follow in the footsteps of cultures that have fallen because of all this? Our only hope is to rebuild the walls of both the home and the nation according to God's plumb line.
Monday, November 23, 2009
Psalm 95:8
Harden not your heart, as in the provocation, and as in the day of temptation in the wilderness.
Edgar was being a brat. Whenever Edgar didn't get his way, he was a brat. As if a secret button had been pushed, the minute Edgar heard the word no, he began to whine, kick, scream, stomp, pout, throw things, and cry. After that, he would do nothing that was asked of him. He became stubborn and rebellious. At those times, everyone just backed off and left Edgar alone. Who wants to be too close to a brat?
Sometimes we're brats. We don't get things the way we want them, so we pout and harden our hearts toward God. God is patient with us, but sometimes He has to put some distance between us until we settle down. God doesn't want to deal with our bratiness any more than we want to deal with the bratiness of children. In time, we learn to deal with our disappointments, and like children, we finally learn that pouting gets us nowhere.
Edgar was being a brat. Whenever Edgar didn't get his way, he was a brat. As if a secret button had been pushed, the minute Edgar heard the word no, he began to whine, kick, scream, stomp, pout, throw things, and cry. After that, he would do nothing that was asked of him. He became stubborn and rebellious. At those times, everyone just backed off and left Edgar alone. Who wants to be too close to a brat?
Sometimes we're brats. We don't get things the way we want them, so we pout and harden our hearts toward God. God is patient with us, but sometimes He has to put some distance between us until we settle down. God doesn't want to deal with our bratiness any more than we want to deal with the bratiness of children. In time, we learn to deal with our disappointments, and like children, we finally learn that pouting gets us nowhere.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Romans 12:1
I urge you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.
Nearly every week, you can pick up a newspaper or magazine, or watch a television show, focusing on the distressing social problems we face in our nation. CBS devotes an entire evening of prime-time television to a look at violence in America...Newsweek magazine runs a cover story on battered wives...Time reports that nearly half of Americans are worried "a lot" about our economy, and 89 percent think the crime problem is getting worse.
But let me ask you this: How often do you hear about workable solutions to these problems?
I think the apostle Paul hints at the most practical solution of all in Romans 12:1 when he urges us to "present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God."
Large social problems will end when they are solved, not in the halls of government, but in the hallways of homes across America. In short, change will occur when Christians get serious about their relationship with God and live out their values and priorities in the family.
Change will come when dads get down on their knees and ask their wives and children to forgive them when they make an error. It will come when men take responsibility for their families and don't expect the Church to do it for them. It will come when men say, "I will lead my home."
Change will come when more women decide to make motherhood a greater priority than careers. It will come when more children are raised with godly character by parents who are involved in their lives.
We have been called to proclaim Christ, to obey Him as we make an imprint on our society. To give ourselves as a "living and holy sacrifice" to God means we will allow nothing to come between us and Him-that we will live in obedience to His will no matter what the cost.
And if enough families begin living holy lives, making right choices, loving one another-America will experience a family reformation.
Nearly every week, you can pick up a newspaper or magazine, or watch a television show, focusing on the distressing social problems we face in our nation. CBS devotes an entire evening of prime-time television to a look at violence in America...Newsweek magazine runs a cover story on battered wives...Time reports that nearly half of Americans are worried "a lot" about our economy, and 89 percent think the crime problem is getting worse.
But let me ask you this: How often do you hear about workable solutions to these problems?
I think the apostle Paul hints at the most practical solution of all in Romans 12:1 when he urges us to "present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God."
Large social problems will end when they are solved, not in the halls of government, but in the hallways of homes across America. In short, change will occur when Christians get serious about their relationship with God and live out their values and priorities in the family.
Change will come when dads get down on their knees and ask their wives and children to forgive them when they make an error. It will come when men take responsibility for their families and don't expect the Church to do it for them. It will come when men say, "I will lead my home."
Change will come when more women decide to make motherhood a greater priority than careers. It will come when more children are raised with godly character by parents who are involved in their lives.
We have been called to proclaim Christ, to obey Him as we make an imprint on our society. To give ourselves as a "living and holy sacrifice" to God means we will allow nothing to come between us and Him-that we will live in obedience to His will no matter what the cost.
And if enough families begin living holy lives, making right choices, loving one another-America will experience a family reformation.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
1 Peter 2:9
You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
We've been picked to be on God's team, and we were picked first! We have an important role to play in the unfolding of the world's history. We're here to declare God's praises to those who don't know him so they can find his marvelous light and leave their world of darkness.
We've been picked to be on God's team, and we were picked first! We have an important role to play in the unfolding of the world's history. We're here to declare God's praises to those who don't know him so they can find his marvelous light and leave their world of darkness.
Friday, October 23, 2009
The Process of Forgiving
Matthew 6:9-15
Forgiving those who have seriously hurt us is one of our most challenging "assignments." And merely having a desire to obey God or saying the right words
does not necessarily accomplish the task. Old memories and pain can steal back into the mind, stirring up emotions of anger and injustice.
Though we have a responsibility to take the initiative soon after suffering harm, forgiveness for deep hurts is a process. Begin immediately to prevent a root of bitterness from developing. But remember: The deeper the hurt, the more time it will take to work through forgiveness. Never become discouraged--the Lord will walk with you each step of the way.
Confession to God is the beginning of the process. Come before Him, admitting any resentment and acknowledging it as sin. As you lay your anger and hurt before the Lord, let Him begin to heal your broken heart.
Sometimes the process can also involve going to the offender and confessing your sinful attitude toward him. This is a time not to build your case or itemize his wrongs but simply to admit your own. Although the offense against you may seem greater than your unforgiving attitude, avoid the temptation to "rank" sins. And leave judgment to God.
Forgiveness brings freedom from the agitation that accompanies resentment. In working through the process, you'll begin to see the one who hurt you through eyes of compassion. Eventually, you will be able to thank God for the opportunity to learn forgiveness and live in His lavish grace.
Forgiving those who have seriously hurt us is one of our most challenging "assignments." And merely having a desire to obey God or saying the right words
does not necessarily accomplish the task. Old memories and pain can steal back into the mind, stirring up emotions of anger and injustice.
Though we have a responsibility to take the initiative soon after suffering harm, forgiveness for deep hurts is a process. Begin immediately to prevent a root of bitterness from developing. But remember: The deeper the hurt, the more time it will take to work through forgiveness. Never become discouraged--the Lord will walk with you each step of the way.
Confession to God is the beginning of the process. Come before Him, admitting any resentment and acknowledging it as sin. As you lay your anger and hurt before the Lord, let Him begin to heal your broken heart.
Sometimes the process can also involve going to the offender and confessing your sinful attitude toward him. This is a time not to build your case or itemize his wrongs but simply to admit your own. Although the offense against you may seem greater than your unforgiving attitude, avoid the temptation to "rank" sins. And leave judgment to God.
Forgiveness brings freedom from the agitation that accompanies resentment. In working through the process, you'll begin to see the one who hurt you through eyes of compassion. Eventually, you will be able to thank God for the opportunity to learn forgiveness and live in His lavish grace.