This is my last entry from Korea. Internet access will likely be somewhat choppy over the next couple of weeks, but I will update again. I will keep this up.
I can say this easily because I know something about this. This blog is not a blog just for the sake of having another blog. There’s plenty of those. This blog is just my first steps in what I hope will be a major and significant ministry. This blog is the first part in an amazing idea the Lord has blessed me with, and not revealing what it is to everyone before it’s ready is hard because I know it’s good. I have faith. This blog is an essential part of what will one day be something much bigger, and I can’t let this whole thing fall apart because I got tired of updating a blog. I won’t let that happen.
I am going back to the US to go into the ministry. I go into the ministry not because I want to be someone who can run around on the streets and condemn people as sinners. Quite the opposite. I will not be a minister motivated by hate, but by love. The love the Lord has for me, the love I have for Him, and the love He has taught me to have for all people.
That’s right. I love you. You out there. Person reading this. I love you. I don’t care what mistakes you’ve made, or what you’ve done wrong. I love you. Hey. Guys. Males. Take this weird phrase. I love you. Person with no electricity, and who can't possibly read this. I love you. Person sitting in your mansion that cost more than the GDP for some countries. I love you. Girl who has been abused and has had your self confidence beat down by every one around you. Woman or child who has been sucked in by the evil of human trafficking. I love you. Those who suffer. I love you. Fellow Christians. I love you. Those without Christ. I love you. Republicans. Democrats. Libertarians. I love you. I love everything the Lord has created, and I love you. Out of love for you I want you all to know the joy that can come from a relationship with Jesus Christ, who loves us all so much that He died for us.
I love all God’s done, and I love all He’s made. I love all people, the trees, the rocks, the stars, the animals, the fossils, and the bugs (though I’ll squash them if they get in my house). I love the cars God gave us the brain to create. I love tall buildings, space stations, houses, boxed cereal, and recliners. I love the Lord, I love Jesus, I love the Holy Spirit, I love my wife, and I love you to.
There’s a great song that defines this, and it’s just about the only new song me and Ashley heard the whole time we were in Korea. We heard it nearly every day, and we never tire of it. I’ll close out my entries in Korea with it. Watch it, and remember just one thing. I love you:
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Human words. Human Jesus. Divinely written. Messiah.
I recently read Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes, by Kenneth E. Bailey. This is an excellent book that goes through ways those from the Middle Eastern culture look at the ministry of Jesus. I’d recommend it, and will put it to use in future entries.
Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes is just one of many increasingly popular books that have been released in recent years that seek to enlighten people on other ways to look at Jesus. These books maybe give a new perspective on a parable, or something like that. Can be valuable, but there are also a couple of traps to this readers of such books can fall into if they’re not careful.
The first trap comes from the reader’s motivation for reading such books. Many who read English translations of the Bible, be it KJV, NKJV, NIV, ESV, The Message, or any other version read every word with the question, “can I really trust what this says?” I’ll tell you. Yes. 99.9% of the time you can. Trust your Bible. The voice telling you not to is not the voice of God. It is the voice of doubt placed there to destroy the foundation God gave you to build your life around. Never treat the Bible as something to be viewed with suspicion and doubt. Most of these books say to trust the Bible, and those who aren’t satisfied by that will simply continue to look for any book that tells them otherwise. It’s always possible to find someone who has based their lives around the same doubts Satan wants to fill you with, and he can use their doubt to support yours. Don’t fall for this.
My second note of caution is more important. Some of these books often take a far too humanistic approach to Jesus. They can regularly complain about how we apply things to the teachings of Jesus He would never have been teaching to His audience. It’s said there are some things He couldn’t have possibly known. Don’t fall for this. This is stupid.
Who is Jesus’ audience? Is it not you? Is it not I? Is it not everyone who has called on His name in the over two millennia since He came? Perhaps He spent His ministry speaking to poor Jews, rich rabbis, outcast Samaritans, and a few Gentiles, but the words he spoke may have been meant for more than those who stood before Him as He spoke. He is more than just a Jewish man. He is the Son of God. He knows things we could not possibly know. The only thing he doesn’t know is the one thing he told us He doesn’t (when the end will come). That tells me He knew I would one day be reading His words, and he knew you would be as well.
I consider it not only possible, but likely that Jesus spoke His words so that they would address the concerns of those who came hundreds, or even thousands of years after Him. Jesus was not just trying to teach those before Him, but each of us. His words are so timeless because they were meant to be. He spoke knowing full well how His words could impact future generations, and those in cultures far different than His own. Jesus spoke of the future. He knew the future. He remains alive today, and His words still speak to us. There is very good reason for that. They were meant to.
Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes is just one of many increasingly popular books that have been released in recent years that seek to enlighten people on other ways to look at Jesus. These books maybe give a new perspective on a parable, or something like that. Can be valuable, but there are also a couple of traps to this readers of such books can fall into if they’re not careful.
The first trap comes from the reader’s motivation for reading such books. Many who read English translations of the Bible, be it KJV, NKJV, NIV, ESV, The Message, or any other version read every word with the question, “can I really trust what this says?” I’ll tell you. Yes. 99.9% of the time you can. Trust your Bible. The voice telling you not to is not the voice of God. It is the voice of doubt placed there to destroy the foundation God gave you to build your life around. Never treat the Bible as something to be viewed with suspicion and doubt. Most of these books say to trust the Bible, and those who aren’t satisfied by that will simply continue to look for any book that tells them otherwise. It’s always possible to find someone who has based their lives around the same doubts Satan wants to fill you with, and he can use their doubt to support yours. Don’t fall for this.
My second note of caution is more important. Some of these books often take a far too humanistic approach to Jesus. They can regularly complain about how we apply things to the teachings of Jesus He would never have been teaching to His audience. It’s said there are some things He couldn’t have possibly known. Don’t fall for this. This is stupid.
Who is Jesus’ audience? Is it not you? Is it not I? Is it not everyone who has called on His name in the over two millennia since He came? Perhaps He spent His ministry speaking to poor Jews, rich rabbis, outcast Samaritans, and a few Gentiles, but the words he spoke may have been meant for more than those who stood before Him as He spoke. He is more than just a Jewish man. He is the Son of God. He knows things we could not possibly know. The only thing he doesn’t know is the one thing he told us He doesn’t (when the end will come). That tells me He knew I would one day be reading His words, and he knew you would be as well.
I consider it not only possible, but likely that Jesus spoke His words so that they would address the concerns of those who came hundreds, or even thousands of years after Him. Jesus was not just trying to teach those before Him, but each of us. His words are so timeless because they were meant to be. He spoke knowing full well how His words could impact future generations, and those in cultures far different than His own. Jesus spoke of the future. He knew the future. He remains alive today, and His words still speak to us. There is very good reason for that. They were meant to.
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Lives of Worship
It’s good to go to church. It’s good to want to go. It’s good to enjoy yourself at church. It’s good to love the music. It’s good to focus on the sermon. There are all good things, but they are not the only things. Those who only focus on such things really miss the whole point.
We go to church as an act of worship to God. It should only be one of many acts of worship we commit throughout our lives. We shouldn’t just go because we like it, or because the music is amazing. Our enjoyment of those things should all come out of our life being an act of worship. It’s part of the difference between being someone who knows all the steps to take to look a Christian, and someone who really is a Christian.
Notebooks full of sermon notes are useless when not combined with a life filled with application. It doesn’t matter how many worship cds we have if you’re listening to them while cussing your head off at that other driver. We need to be more than just hearers of the word, but doers of the word. We need to go to church remembering that we are fallen, and we have to change. We have to become more like Christ, and learn to walk in His ways.
God isn’t impressed by us showing up at church to entertain ourselves. He’s impressed by those who actively work to make themselves more like Him. Keep enjoying church, but remember that you’re not there just for yourself. You’re there to worship the God who loves you, who created you, who sent His son to die for you, who rescued you from eternal death, and who now resides in your soul. Accept grace, and thank Him for it by making sure you are doers of the word, and not just hearers.
We go to church as an act of worship to God. It should only be one of many acts of worship we commit throughout our lives. We shouldn’t just go because we like it, or because the music is amazing. Our enjoyment of those things should all come out of our life being an act of worship. It’s part of the difference between being someone who knows all the steps to take to look a Christian, and someone who really is a Christian.
Notebooks full of sermon notes are useless when not combined with a life filled with application. It doesn’t matter how many worship cds we have if you’re listening to them while cussing your head off at that other driver. We need to be more than just hearers of the word, but doers of the word. We need to go to church remembering that we are fallen, and we have to change. We have to become more like Christ, and learn to walk in His ways.
God isn’t impressed by us showing up at church to entertain ourselves. He’s impressed by those who actively work to make themselves more like Him. Keep enjoying church, but remember that you’re not there just for yourself. You’re there to worship the God who loves you, who created you, who sent His son to die for you, who rescued you from eternal death, and who now resides in your soul. Accept grace, and thank Him for it by making sure you are doers of the word, and not just hearers.
Monday, September 27, 2010
Men can be dogs. Women shouldn't learn to bark.
I’ve never felt like I deserve the love of the amazing woman who agreed to be my wife. When I was first told that she liked me when I was 14 years old I knew it had to be a lie. How could she? She was so amazing, and I was not. At that time I’d discovered my writing ability, and cared about little else. I wanted to make it as a writer, or do nothing. I really didn’t care. I paid no attention in school, and got consistently bad grades because I honestly didn’t care. I was okay with ruining my life.
The rumors persisted that she liked me, however, and I responded by actually asking her out. We were both 14 on that day, and since that August 15th in 1999 we have been together. Why she was ever interested I still can’t say. I can say that I am very thankful, for my life changed thanks to her. God knew what He was doing when He placed her in my life because I now had someone else to care about. I didn’t want to ruin her life if I failed as a writer. I wanted to deserve her, and I worked to. I still do. She’s amazing. I love her. I want her to know she made a good choice.
I say all this mostly for any women out there, whether they’re 12 or 51, who think they ever have to give anything up for a man. Don’t. Too many women have been too loose with when they’re willing to spread their legs for a man, and that has allowed too many men to focus on women only as sexual objects. Lots of men don’t try hard for women because they don’t really need to.
Are such boys really what women want? Do women really think they need to lower themselves for these guys because the examples set by the media, Lady Gaga, and Grey’s Anatomy tell us that sex is just something you do with anyone you feel a slight amount of affection for? Actually, you can forget the affection. Just do it. Just give it up to any guy who is able to do it with you. It’ll be fun.
This is so stupid. Don’t allow men to just have what they want from you, and run off. The Bible tells us that a husband must love his wife as Jesus loves the church. If a man doesn’t love you enough to put a ring on that finger, and say I do in front of an alter than don’t you ever let him touch you. Afraid a guy might leave you if you don’t put out? Let him. He doesn’t deserve what you’ve got. You are amazing. You are special. You are worthy of someone who will fight for you, and who will work to deserve you. You are worthy of someone who loves you like Jesus loved the church.
Don’t settle for anything less. There are good guys out there. There will be even more of them if fewer women spread their legs easily for the bad guys. There are enough good ones, however, and while they may struggle with the same things that are common to man they will not just give into those urges. They fight to be pure, and even some of the bad ones can become good ones if you make them. Don’t give it up for them. Keep those legs closed. Do not have sex with anyone before marriage. You’ve got what men want to have, and they should have to prove they are worthy of it.
Every woman out there is amazing, beautiful, and deserving of a good man who will work to deserve them. God made you for good, and not so some trashy guy can make you into his trashy girl. A guy should have to work for the joy of being in your presence. Sex cannot be the main thing he seeks, but he should instead be motivated by his love for you. When you get a man who loves you, who would die for you, who puts his needs before your own, and who marries you before God that’s someone who you can trust with everything.
Even if you’ve already had premarital sex it isn’t too late to find that. God forgives all sins, and he can rescue you from the unfulfilling path you have yourself set on. He has something better for you, and you deserve better. You deserve a man who will fight to deserve you.
The rumors persisted that she liked me, however, and I responded by actually asking her out. We were both 14 on that day, and since that August 15th in 1999 we have been together. Why she was ever interested I still can’t say. I can say that I am very thankful, for my life changed thanks to her. God knew what He was doing when He placed her in my life because I now had someone else to care about. I didn’t want to ruin her life if I failed as a writer. I wanted to deserve her, and I worked to. I still do. She’s amazing. I love her. I want her to know she made a good choice.
I say all this mostly for any women out there, whether they’re 12 or 51, who think they ever have to give anything up for a man. Don’t. Too many women have been too loose with when they’re willing to spread their legs for a man, and that has allowed too many men to focus on women only as sexual objects. Lots of men don’t try hard for women because they don’t really need to.
Are such boys really what women want? Do women really think they need to lower themselves for these guys because the examples set by the media, Lady Gaga, and Grey’s Anatomy tell us that sex is just something you do with anyone you feel a slight amount of affection for? Actually, you can forget the affection. Just do it. Just give it up to any guy who is able to do it with you. It’ll be fun.
This is so stupid. Don’t allow men to just have what they want from you, and run off. The Bible tells us that a husband must love his wife as Jesus loves the church. If a man doesn’t love you enough to put a ring on that finger, and say I do in front of an alter than don’t you ever let him touch you. Afraid a guy might leave you if you don’t put out? Let him. He doesn’t deserve what you’ve got. You are amazing. You are special. You are worthy of someone who will fight for you, and who will work to deserve you. You are worthy of someone who loves you like Jesus loved the church.
Don’t settle for anything less. There are good guys out there. There will be even more of them if fewer women spread their legs easily for the bad guys. There are enough good ones, however, and while they may struggle with the same things that are common to man they will not just give into those urges. They fight to be pure, and even some of the bad ones can become good ones if you make them. Don’t give it up for them. Keep those legs closed. Do not have sex with anyone before marriage. You’ve got what men want to have, and they should have to prove they are worthy of it.
Every woman out there is amazing, beautiful, and deserving of a good man who will work to deserve them. God made you for good, and not so some trashy guy can make you into his trashy girl. A guy should have to work for the joy of being in your presence. Sex cannot be the main thing he seeks, but he should instead be motivated by his love for you. When you get a man who loves you, who would die for you, who puts his needs before your own, and who marries you before God that’s someone who you can trust with everything.
Even if you’ve already had premarital sex it isn’t too late to find that. God forgives all sins, and he can rescue you from the unfulfilling path you have yourself set on. He has something better for you, and you deserve better. You deserve a man who will fight to deserve you.
Saturday, September 25, 2010
The God of Buts
I’m a but guy. One thing I know to be loved about the Gospel is it is full of buts that can help us with each situation in our lives. I love these buts. There are so many of them.
We don’t think we have the strength resist the sexual temptations that drive us to sleep with someone we’re not married to.
But God can give us that strength, and can protect us from the traps Satan would have us fall into.
We don’t believe we are capable of doing the thing we feel called to do.
But God gave us that calling, and made us capable to do the things He wants us to do.
We don’t see how our child can ever overcome the tight hold Satan has on their life.
But God can overcome all things, and can bring salvation to all people.
We are not worthy of salvation.
But Jesus died for us anyway.
The Bible is a book full of buts. Joseph was made into a slave, but God made him into the second most powerful man in Egypt. David was just a shepherd with some stones, but God used him to slay a mighty giant. Peter, James, and John were just fishermen, but Jesus made them into his three greatest disciples. Saul was determined to destroy Christianity, but God made him into one of the greatest leaders the world has ever known.
For every excuse we have, every time we mess up, every time we don’t feel up to the task, every time we’re afraid, and every time we doubt there is a but God in the Gospel to prove us wrong. We are weak on our own, but God is with us, and He can give us the strength of a lion. We are sinners, but God loves us. We are fallen, but God can raise us up. We are dead without Christ, but with Christ we can be alive.
We should not worry when things seem impossible. When it looks like nothing will ever get better we should remember how amazing our God is. Nothing is impossible with God. There is nothing he cannot overcome. We can have no excuse for a lack of faith because there is always a but God. But God statements are amazing. But God statements can help us see through all kinds of evil. But God statements can carry us through this life.
When you feel down, and unable to continue just remember one thing. But God. Remember that, and know the scriptures. “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
We don’t think we have the strength resist the sexual temptations that drive us to sleep with someone we’re not married to.
But God can give us that strength, and can protect us from the traps Satan would have us fall into.
We don’t believe we are capable of doing the thing we feel called to do.
But God gave us that calling, and made us capable to do the things He wants us to do.
We don’t see how our child can ever overcome the tight hold Satan has on their life.
But God can overcome all things, and can bring salvation to all people.
We are not worthy of salvation.
But Jesus died for us anyway.
The Bible is a book full of buts. Joseph was made into a slave, but God made him into the second most powerful man in Egypt. David was just a shepherd with some stones, but God used him to slay a mighty giant. Peter, James, and John were just fishermen, but Jesus made them into his three greatest disciples. Saul was determined to destroy Christianity, but God made him into one of the greatest leaders the world has ever known.
For every excuse we have, every time we mess up, every time we don’t feel up to the task, every time we’re afraid, and every time we doubt there is a but God in the Gospel to prove us wrong. We are weak on our own, but God is with us, and He can give us the strength of a lion. We are sinners, but God loves us. We are fallen, but God can raise us up. We are dead without Christ, but with Christ we can be alive.
We should not worry when things seem impossible. When it looks like nothing will ever get better we should remember how amazing our God is. Nothing is impossible with God. There is nothing he cannot overcome. We can have no excuse for a lack of faith because there is always a but God. But God statements are amazing. But God statements can help us see through all kinds of evil. But God statements can carry us through this life.
When you feel down, and unable to continue just remember one thing. But God. Remember that, and know the scriptures. “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
Friday, September 24, 2010
Faith vs. Fear
When God laid it on my heart to spend a long time writing and reading about faith I wasn’t exactly certain why. As I wrote these entries, however, I realized something about humanity (and myself) I hadn’t known before. Faith is so important because there are only two ways for people to go through their lives. People are either filled with faith, or consumed by fear.
This is true in the lives of both Christians, and non Christians. Faith or fear. Those are the things that define our lives. This has been true in my own life, and not in a good way. I allowed fear to control me, and for years I would never take the steps toward the ministry God had in store for me because of fear. I was afraid of running out of money, afraid of failure, afraid of being a leader, afraid of ruining success with some big mistake, afraid of rejection, afraid I wasn’t good enough, afraid of being filled with too much pride, and afraid of spending my life serving a God I didn’t have complete faith in. My fear drove me away from the things I was meant to do, and toward other things I wasn’t so afraid of.
I could’ve missed out because I was afraid. So many do. How many times have we heard to stories of those who were at companies like Apple in the early days, but they left before things got big because they were afraid of taking risks? How many of us have refused to go back to school like we know we should, refused to witness like we know we’re meant to, refused to ask out the girl we really want to, refused to pursue the dream we have without a guarantee of success, and refused to really believe in the God who loved us enough to send His son to die for us?
Where does our fear ever get us? Nowhere good. It helps us live half lives where we are only ever shadows of who we really could have been. It is only when we cast out our fear that we can truly become the men and women that God made us to be. I can only write these words because I’ve seen through the fear. I may be able to feel the fear still there gnawing at me, and wanting me, but I no longer let it tell me what to do. I refuse. I want a life controlled by faith, and not fear.
Let go of the fear. It may be trying to convince you that it’s smart to be afraid. Don’t listen. What would have happened to the Jewish people if Moses had obeyed His fear, and refused to go to Egypt? Where would we be if Jesus had given into His fear, and He refused to die for us? If good people hadn’t overcome their fears the Bible would be a much different book. History would be much different. Hitler was a scary guy. What if everyone had given into him because they were afraid to face him? Having the faith to believe he could be defeated is why we live with the freedom we do today.
We do not want the lives that our fear would have us lead. We must overcome, and learn to have faith in the Lord, faith in Jesus Christ, faith in the Holy Spirit, and faith in ourselves. Faith cannot stop us from failing, but it can keep us from giving up. When we learn to stop living our lives worrying about running out of money, worrying that we’re not good enough, and always being afraid we will really start living. Life without faith is empty. It is death. Fear is an enemy. Have faith, and live.
This is true in the lives of both Christians, and non Christians. Faith or fear. Those are the things that define our lives. This has been true in my own life, and not in a good way. I allowed fear to control me, and for years I would never take the steps toward the ministry God had in store for me because of fear. I was afraid of running out of money, afraid of failure, afraid of being a leader, afraid of ruining success with some big mistake, afraid of rejection, afraid I wasn’t good enough, afraid of being filled with too much pride, and afraid of spending my life serving a God I didn’t have complete faith in. My fear drove me away from the things I was meant to do, and toward other things I wasn’t so afraid of.
I could’ve missed out because I was afraid. So many do. How many times have we heard to stories of those who were at companies like Apple in the early days, but they left before things got big because they were afraid of taking risks? How many of us have refused to go back to school like we know we should, refused to witness like we know we’re meant to, refused to ask out the girl we really want to, refused to pursue the dream we have without a guarantee of success, and refused to really believe in the God who loved us enough to send His son to die for us?
Where does our fear ever get us? Nowhere good. It helps us live half lives where we are only ever shadows of who we really could have been. It is only when we cast out our fear that we can truly become the men and women that God made us to be. I can only write these words because I’ve seen through the fear. I may be able to feel the fear still there gnawing at me, and wanting me, but I no longer let it tell me what to do. I refuse. I want a life controlled by faith, and not fear.
Let go of the fear. It may be trying to convince you that it’s smart to be afraid. Don’t listen. What would have happened to the Jewish people if Moses had obeyed His fear, and refused to go to Egypt? Where would we be if Jesus had given into His fear, and He refused to die for us? If good people hadn’t overcome their fears the Bible would be a much different book. History would be much different. Hitler was a scary guy. What if everyone had given into him because they were afraid to face him? Having the faith to believe he could be defeated is why we live with the freedom we do today.
We do not want the lives that our fear would have us lead. We must overcome, and learn to have faith in the Lord, faith in Jesus Christ, faith in the Holy Spirit, and faith in ourselves. Faith cannot stop us from failing, but it can keep us from giving up. When we learn to stop living our lives worrying about running out of money, worrying that we’re not good enough, and always being afraid we will really start living. Life without faith is empty. It is death. Fear is an enemy. Have faith, and live.
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Faith, part 22 of 22
I’ve said a lot about faith throughout this, and that’s because faith is so important to our walk with God. Faith is essential. There is no Christianity without faith. Just empty people claiming to be filled with something they don’t believe. If we don’t have faith there is no reason to believe we can overcome the evil that resides within us. We might as well believe none of it. There is no hope for us without faith. We’re just flesh that dies.
Faith is crazy. Faith causes people to think the sun can stand still. Faith makes it possible to believe one perfect man can die for the sins of others. Faith makes it possible to believe that empty marriages can be filled with love once more, broken families can be bought back together, sick people can be healed, and death can defeated. It’s crazy to believe all this, but that’s okay. Faith is crazy, and it’s awesome to be so crazy.
Never think it is okay to allow your faith to diminish even for a moment. Fight the good fight, and keep the faith. Faith must remain in the face of opposition. Faith is there to help us endure it. There will always be doubters. We cannot allow them to infect us with their doubt. Always remain optimistic because pessimism is one of the many words that means the same thing as not having faith. Pessimism, doubt, negativity, fear, and so many other things are just disguises for not having faith. One with faith believes. Faith is belief. One without faith is dead. One with faith is alive in Christ.
Don’t ever only have faith in Christ, and have no faith in yourself. That’s not right. If you have faith then you believe God made you. He loves you. You were put on this earth and in this time for a purpose. God made you able to do exactly what He wants you to do, and we should never be afraid of it.
Maybe you’ve sinned, and sinned bad. Jesus came so that you could be forgiven, and overcome all that. Maybe you’ve spent your whole life hearing you’re not good enough. Don’t listen. You are fearfully and wonderfully made, and God never thinks you’re not good enough. He thinks you’re wonderful.
Don’t doubt yourself. He doesn’t doubt you. Have faith.
Faith is crazy. Faith causes people to think the sun can stand still. Faith makes it possible to believe one perfect man can die for the sins of others. Faith makes it possible to believe that empty marriages can be filled with love once more, broken families can be bought back together, sick people can be healed, and death can defeated. It’s crazy to believe all this, but that’s okay. Faith is crazy, and it’s awesome to be so crazy.
Never think it is okay to allow your faith to diminish even for a moment. Fight the good fight, and keep the faith. Faith must remain in the face of opposition. Faith is there to help us endure it. There will always be doubters. We cannot allow them to infect us with their doubt. Always remain optimistic because pessimism is one of the many words that means the same thing as not having faith. Pessimism, doubt, negativity, fear, and so many other things are just disguises for not having faith. One with faith believes. Faith is belief. One without faith is dead. One with faith is alive in Christ.
Don’t ever only have faith in Christ, and have no faith in yourself. That’s not right. If you have faith then you believe God made you. He loves you. You were put on this earth and in this time for a purpose. God made you able to do exactly what He wants you to do, and we should never be afraid of it.
Maybe you’ve sinned, and sinned bad. Jesus came so that you could be forgiven, and overcome all that. Maybe you’ve spent your whole life hearing you’re not good enough. Don’t listen. You are fearfully and wonderfully made, and God never thinks you’re not good enough. He thinks you’re wonderful.
Don’t doubt yourself. He doesn’t doubt you. Have faith.
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Faith, part 21
I once walked my Christian life with a checklist. Felt like when I checked all the boxes that would be enough to earn the grace of Jesus. I know some still live this way, and I would encourage you to stop. This entry isn’t about adding stuff to some check list to earn grace. We can never earn grace. We can never deserve Jesus’ love. We can only have faith in Jesus, and work to understand what that faith wants to do in our lives.
I say this because this entry can be taken to support such a checklist mentality, but it really doesn’t mean that. I’ve written a lot already about how much has been done through faith, and how much faith can do. It’s very easy to read all I’ve written, agree, but miss one of the most basic truths about faith. It can easily pass us by as we consider faith to be an inner condition of the heart. That’s not all it is. True faith is a call to action.
Stuff is done through faith. In order to do stuff we have to actually do stuff. When we have faith it drives us to actually become more like Christ, and do. James actually says this far better than I ever could in James 2:14-26 states:
“What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food and one of you says to them, ‘Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,’ but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? Thus also faith in itself, if it does not have works, it is dead. But someone will say, ‘You have faith, and I have works.’ Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe-and tremble! But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? And the scripture was fulfilled which says, ‘Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.’ And he was called a friend of God. You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only. Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way? For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.”
James has always been one of my favorite books of the Bible because James doesn’t pull punches. He’s honest. Really consider what he wrote. What good is our faith if it does nothing? Is it even real? If our faith in the redeeming power of Jesus Christ doesn’t compel us to do something then our faith is nothing.
Don’t take this the wrong way. I’m not advocating this you have do a certain number of things to earn your way into heaven. I said it already. This isn’t about a check list. This is about faith, and true faith makes us anxious and ready to serve the Lord if we honestly believe in Him. This can mean many different things for different people. It can mean that you finally listen to the words of God, and stop sleeping with that girl you’re not married to. It could mean no longer ignoring your calling because you’re afraid God isn’t real, and going into the ministry. It can mean that you stop gossiping about others, and only allow positive words to come out of your mouth. Faith can transform us, and help us be more like Christ, act more like Christ, and do more like Christ. It can drive us to serve in our church, volunteer at a hospice, stop taking those drugs, write, work, try to bring others to Christ, endure persecution, stand up to evil, and do any number of things.
Each person is different, and faith can do different things through each person. Faith that is doing nothing is faith that does not exist. It is nothing, and nothing will come out of nothing. True faith does.
I say this because this entry can be taken to support such a checklist mentality, but it really doesn’t mean that. I’ve written a lot already about how much has been done through faith, and how much faith can do. It’s very easy to read all I’ve written, agree, but miss one of the most basic truths about faith. It can easily pass us by as we consider faith to be an inner condition of the heart. That’s not all it is. True faith is a call to action.
Stuff is done through faith. In order to do stuff we have to actually do stuff. When we have faith it drives us to actually become more like Christ, and do. James actually says this far better than I ever could in James 2:14-26 states:
“What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food and one of you says to them, ‘Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,’ but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? Thus also faith in itself, if it does not have works, it is dead. But someone will say, ‘You have faith, and I have works.’ Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe-and tremble! But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? And the scripture was fulfilled which says, ‘Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.’ And he was called a friend of God. You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only. Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way? For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.”
James has always been one of my favorite books of the Bible because James doesn’t pull punches. He’s honest. Really consider what he wrote. What good is our faith if it does nothing? Is it even real? If our faith in the redeeming power of Jesus Christ doesn’t compel us to do something then our faith is nothing.
Don’t take this the wrong way. I’m not advocating this you have do a certain number of things to earn your way into heaven. I said it already. This isn’t about a check list. This is about faith, and true faith makes us anxious and ready to serve the Lord if we honestly believe in Him. This can mean many different things for different people. It can mean that you finally listen to the words of God, and stop sleeping with that girl you’re not married to. It could mean no longer ignoring your calling because you’re afraid God isn’t real, and going into the ministry. It can mean that you stop gossiping about others, and only allow positive words to come out of your mouth. Faith can transform us, and help us be more like Christ, act more like Christ, and do more like Christ. It can drive us to serve in our church, volunteer at a hospice, stop taking those drugs, write, work, try to bring others to Christ, endure persecution, stand up to evil, and do any number of things.
Each person is different, and faith can do different things through each person. Faith that is doing nothing is faith that does not exist. It is nothing, and nothing will come out of nothing. True faith does.
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Faith, part 20
I’m not quite done talking about those with faith yet, but this entry has a slightly different focus. Many have acted on faith, and have done many great things. They have endured much, and sacrificed much through faith. Most of us will never be asked to do such things. The writer of Hebrews discusses it well in verses 32-38 of chapter 11:
“And what more shall I say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon and Barak and Samson and Jephthah, also of David and Samuel and the prophets: Who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to fight the armies of the aliens. Women received their dead raised to life again. Others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection. Still others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted, were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented-Of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, in dens and caves of the earth.”
A lot has been done through faith, and much has been endured. Through faith people have escaped torment, and through faith they have endured it. Faith has kept many strong through countless ordeals. Whether the highest heights or the lowest lows, our faith can always be there to make us stronger. To help us remember to praise the Lord in our victories, and to call on His name in our defeats. Faith can have a mighty impact in any situation we face in our lives.
Anyone would be wise to read that list in Hebrews over and over again. Seeing what others have done through faith helps us defeat our excuses for not having it. When we refuse to trust God with our finances, and giving him a little bit of our money is hard to us it is good to remember some gave their very lives to Him through faith (some still do). When we are grieved because of the offensive comment someone makes about Christians at work we should remember the faith of those who endured prison for their faith. When we must have faith not to shout at the person who cuts us off in traffic we must remember the faith of those who could even shut up the mouth of a lion.
Impossible things can be done through faith. In countries like America we aren’t threatened for our faith in the way those were and are in some places. That freedom came about because of the faith of those who founded the country, and that faith still has power today. Faith can do a lot of good, and can endure a lot of bad. It already has.
“And what more shall I say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon and Barak and Samson and Jephthah, also of David and Samuel and the prophets: Who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to fight the armies of the aliens. Women received their dead raised to life again. Others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection. Still others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted, were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented-Of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, in dens and caves of the earth.”
A lot has been done through faith, and much has been endured. Through faith people have escaped torment, and through faith they have endured it. Faith has kept many strong through countless ordeals. Whether the highest heights or the lowest lows, our faith can always be there to make us stronger. To help us remember to praise the Lord in our victories, and to call on His name in our defeats. Faith can have a mighty impact in any situation we face in our lives.
Anyone would be wise to read that list in Hebrews over and over again. Seeing what others have done through faith helps us defeat our excuses for not having it. When we refuse to trust God with our finances, and giving him a little bit of our money is hard to us it is good to remember some gave their very lives to Him through faith (some still do). When we are grieved because of the offensive comment someone makes about Christians at work we should remember the faith of those who endured prison for their faith. When we must have faith not to shout at the person who cuts us off in traffic we must remember the faith of those who could even shut up the mouth of a lion.
Impossible things can be done through faith. In countries like America we aren’t threatened for our faith in the way those were and are in some places. That freedom came about because of the faith of those who founded the country, and that faith still has power today. Faith can do a lot of good, and can endure a lot of bad. It already has.
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Faith, part 19
Hebrews chapter 11 also addresses one of the primary excuses many people have when faith is brought up. People want examples. They think all this talk about being able to do anything through faith is just made up. No one really believes that, and if they do it’s only because nothing really bad has ever happened to them. What proof is there that faith is worth anything? What person has actually accomplished anything through faith?
Not really a legitimate question because it only comes out of ignorance. Look to the Bible, and countless examples of faith can be seen. Hebrews tells us two examples in verses 7-8:
“By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith. By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.”
Not enough? How about Hebrews 11:17-19:
“By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, Of whom it was said, ‘In Isaac your seed shall be called,’ Concluding that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead, from which he also received him in a figurative sense.”
Still want more? Check out Hebrews 11:24-26:
“By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God then to enjoy the passing pleasure of sin, esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he looked to the reward.”
Countless examples exist in the Bible of people doing unimaginable things through faith. Noah built an ark to save the world. Abraham entered a deserted land, and nearly killed his own son. Moses fled from the riches of Egypt. Much has been asked of many, and they have not refused the Lord. Moses may have had excuses, but he acted in faith. Jesus may have feared the cross, but He still died for our sins.
Excuses still remain beyond this. Many say that’s the Bible. What about since the Bible? What has been accomplished through faith in the world of today? Fair enough. I’ve got some examples for you.
Steven Furtick is the lead pastor of Elevation Church. By faith he and seven families moved to Charlotte, NC and started a church. Through that faith God has blessed, and only a few years in the church now has thousands of members, many of who accepted Jesus there, and multiple campuses all throughout the city.
By faith Greg Surratt moved his family a little over 20 years ago to Mt. Pleasant, SC, and started Seacoast Church. That church started with only 65 members, and now has 29 weekend worship experiences in 13 locations. Over 10,000 regularly attend.
By faith Governor Sonny Perdue of Georgia prayed for rain. His state was in a deep drought, and there was nothing man could to stop this but have faith. Shortly after this prayer rain fell, and the drought ended.
Faith still moves today. It still heals. It still helps people do amazing things. It still saves. It still helps us believe in forgiveness, and to forgive others. Faith is as powerful today as it ever was, and can have the same mighty impact it had in the days of Abraham, Moses, and Paul.
Don’t cling to the excuse that faith does no good. Faith in the Lord, faith in Christ, faith in the Holy Spirit, and faith in ourselves remains vitally important. We can still do amazing things if we have faith.
Not really a legitimate question because it only comes out of ignorance. Look to the Bible, and countless examples of faith can be seen. Hebrews tells us two examples in verses 7-8:
“By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith. By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.”
Not enough? How about Hebrews 11:17-19:
“By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, Of whom it was said, ‘In Isaac your seed shall be called,’ Concluding that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead, from which he also received him in a figurative sense.”
Still want more? Check out Hebrews 11:24-26:
“By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God then to enjoy the passing pleasure of sin, esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he looked to the reward.”
Countless examples exist in the Bible of people doing unimaginable things through faith. Noah built an ark to save the world. Abraham entered a deserted land, and nearly killed his own son. Moses fled from the riches of Egypt. Much has been asked of many, and they have not refused the Lord. Moses may have had excuses, but he acted in faith. Jesus may have feared the cross, but He still died for our sins.
Excuses still remain beyond this. Many say that’s the Bible. What about since the Bible? What has been accomplished through faith in the world of today? Fair enough. I’ve got some examples for you.
Steven Furtick is the lead pastor of Elevation Church. By faith he and seven families moved to Charlotte, NC and started a church. Through that faith God has blessed, and only a few years in the church now has thousands of members, many of who accepted Jesus there, and multiple campuses all throughout the city.
By faith Greg Surratt moved his family a little over 20 years ago to Mt. Pleasant, SC, and started Seacoast Church. That church started with only 65 members, and now has 29 weekend worship experiences in 13 locations. Over 10,000 regularly attend.
By faith Governor Sonny Perdue of Georgia prayed for rain. His state was in a deep drought, and there was nothing man could to stop this but have faith. Shortly after this prayer rain fell, and the drought ended.
Faith still moves today. It still heals. It still helps people do amazing things. It still saves. It still helps us believe in forgiveness, and to forgive others. Faith is as powerful today as it ever was, and can have the same mighty impact it had in the days of Abraham, Moses, and Paul.
Don’t cling to the excuse that faith does no good. Faith in the Lord, faith in Christ, faith in the Holy Spirit, and faith in ourselves remains vitally important. We can still do amazing things if we have faith.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Faith, part 18
Another individual verse of importance from Hebrews 11 is verse 6. This verse states:
“But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”
We cannot please God without faith. We can give all we have to charity, preach before crowds, witness to others, go on mission trips, feed the homeless, give blood, lead youth groups, chaperone, go to church regularly, obey the laws of Moses, and follow the teachings of Christ, but it will mean nothing if we don’t have faith. God doesn’t waste His time with posers.
May sound harsh, but that’s exactly what Hebrews tells us. We can do nothing to please God without faith. Nothing. We can’t just do what he says, and not believe who He is. It doesn’t work that way. If we claim to witness, but we do so without faith, we are only witnessing to something we doubt. That is no witness at all. If we praise Him, but question if He exist to be praised we praise nothing. He sees our doubt, and ignores our service because our lack of faith makes us servants of doubt. We must believe that He is God, the creator of all things, and the one who loved us enough to send his only son to be murdered on a cross for our sins.
Faith is a requirement of service. Without faith we believe we serve nothing, and we will be rewarded with nothing. Why even serve without faith? Faith in God teaches us to know that not only is He worthy of all our service, love, and praise, but He will reward us with eternity in paradise if we faithfully serve Him throughout our lives.
Don’t be a poser. Believe.
“But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”
We cannot please God without faith. We can give all we have to charity, preach before crowds, witness to others, go on mission trips, feed the homeless, give blood, lead youth groups, chaperone, go to church regularly, obey the laws of Moses, and follow the teachings of Christ, but it will mean nothing if we don’t have faith. God doesn’t waste His time with posers.
May sound harsh, but that’s exactly what Hebrews tells us. We can do nothing to please God without faith. Nothing. We can’t just do what he says, and not believe who He is. It doesn’t work that way. If we claim to witness, but we do so without faith, we are only witnessing to something we doubt. That is no witness at all. If we praise Him, but question if He exist to be praised we praise nothing. He sees our doubt, and ignores our service because our lack of faith makes us servants of doubt. We must believe that He is God, the creator of all things, and the one who loved us enough to send his only son to be murdered on a cross for our sins.
Faith is a requirement of service. Without faith we believe we serve nothing, and we will be rewarded with nothing. Why even serve without faith? Faith in God teaches us to know that not only is He worthy of all our service, love, and praise, but He will reward us with eternity in paradise if we faithfully serve Him throughout our lives.
Don’t be a poser. Believe.
Monday, September 13, 2010
Faith, part 17
Hebrews 11:3 is a powerful and complex verse. This verse alone could be the subject of an entire book, but I’ll try to keep my discussion on it limited to just a few paragraphs. The verse states:
“By faith we understand the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.”
Not only is faith the evidence in the things not seen, but it is also the belief that what we can’t see created what we can. The whole universe is the creation of an almighty God who chose to create. Scientific theory tells us a lot, and this scares some of those with shaky faith. It should not. All there is to the universe was created by God.
The idea that there could be life on other planets should not shake our faith. The Bible has always taught us to be humble, and believing God could have only made creatures on one planet in His image is the definition of pride. Looking through telescopes, and seeing pictures of nebulas should not shake our faith. It should have the opposite impact. Nebulas show us a hint of the method of creation God chose. No scientific discovery should ever shake our faith, for all that can be discovered was created by what cannot be seen.
Scientific evidence shows us that everything in this universe will one day come to an end. Even black holes will one day fade away into nothing. Why should this hurt our faith? It should strengthen it. Why would this universe continue forever? It is fallen. All that exists here dies. The plants of the earth and the stars in the sky all die. It is all finite. Our salvation from this constant death is faith that Jesus came to this earth, and through belief in Him we can enjoy eternal life.
God is eternal. God is not seen. The universe, and everything within it is not eternal, and it can be seen. This eternal being that cannot be seen created what can be seen, and through faith we can join Him in eternity. That is an amazing thing to consider.
“By faith we understand the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.”
Not only is faith the evidence in the things not seen, but it is also the belief that what we can’t see created what we can. The whole universe is the creation of an almighty God who chose to create. Scientific theory tells us a lot, and this scares some of those with shaky faith. It should not. All there is to the universe was created by God.
The idea that there could be life on other planets should not shake our faith. The Bible has always taught us to be humble, and believing God could have only made creatures on one planet in His image is the definition of pride. Looking through telescopes, and seeing pictures of nebulas should not shake our faith. It should have the opposite impact. Nebulas show us a hint of the method of creation God chose. No scientific discovery should ever shake our faith, for all that can be discovered was created by what cannot be seen.
Scientific evidence shows us that everything in this universe will one day come to an end. Even black holes will one day fade away into nothing. Why should this hurt our faith? It should strengthen it. Why would this universe continue forever? It is fallen. All that exists here dies. The plants of the earth and the stars in the sky all die. It is all finite. Our salvation from this constant death is faith that Jesus came to this earth, and through belief in Him we can enjoy eternal life.
God is eternal. God is not seen. The universe, and everything within it is not eternal, and it can be seen. This eternal being that cannot be seen created what can be seen, and through faith we can join Him in eternity. That is an amazing thing to consider.
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Faith, part 16
I’ve referenced Hebrews 11 before, and there’s a reason for that. The entire 40 verse chapter is an excellent discussion on faith. I’ll go through some of these over the next few entries starting with the first verse:
“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”
This is perhaps the best definition of faith there is. Faith is both hope, and belief. Our faith is the only evidence we need for God’s existence, for through faith we can learn to hear His voice. Through faith we can be transformed from the fallen creature we once were, and become something much greater. Through faith we can hope for forgiveness. Through faith we can hope something will help those who suffer throughout this world. Through faith we can become that something.
Those with faith know that His son came down, and died for us. That faith has driven countless people through many generations, and has changed the world. Faith drove Abraham to travel to unknown lands, and compelled Mother Teresa to help the helpless. Faith is why husbands and wives on the verge of divorce are able to reconcile, and remember the love that brought them together. Through faith those who have been hurt by betrayal are able to somehow forgive their betrayers.
Many have been willing to die for faith in the things not seen. Many risk death today worshiping the same God none of us have ever seen face to face. Faith motivates countless people to go to places like Pakistan, Haiti, Uganda, and New Orleans to put an end to suffering. Those with the faith to do such things provide the evidence needed for the Creator we cannot see.
Perhaps we haven’t seen the Lord with our own eyes, or touched Jesus’ wounds with our own hands. That doesn’t matter. We don’t need that for evidence. We’ve seen those who rushed to New York after 9/11 to help clean up the rubble. We’ve seen those who adopt children from across the world. When we have faith then our faith is the evidence. We have faith that gives us hope that a good God sent his sinless son to die for all our sins. That faith is the evidence we need to know God is with us.
“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”
This is perhaps the best definition of faith there is. Faith is both hope, and belief. Our faith is the only evidence we need for God’s existence, for through faith we can learn to hear His voice. Through faith we can be transformed from the fallen creature we once were, and become something much greater. Through faith we can hope for forgiveness. Through faith we can hope something will help those who suffer throughout this world. Through faith we can become that something.
Those with faith know that His son came down, and died for us. That faith has driven countless people through many generations, and has changed the world. Faith drove Abraham to travel to unknown lands, and compelled Mother Teresa to help the helpless. Faith is why husbands and wives on the verge of divorce are able to reconcile, and remember the love that brought them together. Through faith those who have been hurt by betrayal are able to somehow forgive their betrayers.
Many have been willing to die for faith in the things not seen. Many risk death today worshiping the same God none of us have ever seen face to face. Faith motivates countless people to go to places like Pakistan, Haiti, Uganda, and New Orleans to put an end to suffering. Those with the faith to do such things provide the evidence needed for the Creator we cannot see.
Perhaps we haven’t seen the Lord with our own eyes, or touched Jesus’ wounds with our own hands. That doesn’t matter. We don’t need that for evidence. We’ve seen those who rushed to New York after 9/11 to help clean up the rubble. We’ve seen those who adopt children from across the world. When we have faith then our faith is the evidence. We have faith that gives us hope that a good God sent his sinless son to die for all our sins. That faith is the evidence we need to know God is with us.
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Faith, part 15
Make no mistake that just as others will hate you for knowing Christ they will also hate you for having faith. 1 Timothy 4:10 states:
“For to this end we both labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe.”
Others will question our faith. There are those in this world who serve evil, and despise those who oppose them. They will see your faith, and criticize you for it. These people may be devout atheist, or they may be members of your own place of worship. Those without faith feel disgusted when they see someone who has achieved the faith that they cannot. They reproach you because they want to make themselves feel better by bringing you down.
Do not lose faith because of the criticism of others. If you have achieved complete faith than you have achieved the greatest thing any Christian can ever hope for. You can do anything through that faith, and others will attack you to keep you from doing so. They will try to drag you down, and they will try to make you doubt. Attacks from all others must be ignored, and you must always rely on your faith that you are blessed to have achieved. Even if you have yet to achieve that faith, others with less faith will attack you. Continue to move toward complete faith despite Satan’s attacks. Do as the Lord desires, and achieve the greatest faith that a person is capable of. Those who attack you will be judged for their own failings. Don’t allow yourself to be grouped among them because you could not keep the faith when they renounced you.
We trust in the living God, the Savior of all men. Others will hate this, and hate us for it. Do not become faithless because if it, but grow in strength because you are doing something right when others try to bring you down for your faith. The Lord is showing His faith in you to resist attacks when He allows you to be attacked. Grow closer to Him through the attacks, and not farther away. When you resist these attacks you show that the foundation of your faith is based on the redemptive power of Christ. Such a foundation will never be destroyed, and your faith will endure forever.
“For to this end we both labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe.”
Others will question our faith. There are those in this world who serve evil, and despise those who oppose them. They will see your faith, and criticize you for it. These people may be devout atheist, or they may be members of your own place of worship. Those without faith feel disgusted when they see someone who has achieved the faith that they cannot. They reproach you because they want to make themselves feel better by bringing you down.
Do not lose faith because of the criticism of others. If you have achieved complete faith than you have achieved the greatest thing any Christian can ever hope for. You can do anything through that faith, and others will attack you to keep you from doing so. They will try to drag you down, and they will try to make you doubt. Attacks from all others must be ignored, and you must always rely on your faith that you are blessed to have achieved. Even if you have yet to achieve that faith, others with less faith will attack you. Continue to move toward complete faith despite Satan’s attacks. Do as the Lord desires, and achieve the greatest faith that a person is capable of. Those who attack you will be judged for their own failings. Don’t allow yourself to be grouped among them because you could not keep the faith when they renounced you.
We trust in the living God, the Savior of all men. Others will hate this, and hate us for it. Do not become faithless because if it, but grow in strength because you are doing something right when others try to bring you down for your faith. The Lord is showing His faith in you to resist attacks when He allows you to be attacked. Grow closer to Him through the attacks, and not farther away. When you resist these attacks you show that the foundation of your faith is based on the redemptive power of Christ. Such a foundation will never be destroyed, and your faith will endure forever.
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Faith, part 14
Philippians 4:13:
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
Pretty words. Fun to recite. Easy to say “Amen” to. Difficult for most of us to believe.
It’s easy to hear these words, accept them, but put little thought into them. We rob ourselves of a true understanding of their meaning when we do that. It doesn’t say some things can be done through Christ who strengthens me, or most things. It says all things. All is all. All is everything. This is what we are supposed to have faith in.
We are to have faith in Christ. That much is easy to understand. The ability to do all things, however, is dependant also on our ability to believe in ourselves. We don’t like having faith in ourselves, but why shouldn’t we? If we believe in Christ we don’t just believe we were born. We believe we were made in the image of God. We were fearfully and wonderfully made. God made us into people capable of doing whatever task He called us to do.
Faith in Christ and ourselves gives us access to powers we never knew we had. Faith in Christ is the main thing that separates believers from nonbelievers. It is this faith that kept Christ’s followers singing hymns as they were imprisoned, stoned, and persecuted. That faith enables us to know things we couldn’t know before, and to become the absolute best version of ourselves. Not someone who spends their lives controlled by the fear that tells them some things just can’t be done. We are instead able to become someone who knows all things are possible with Christ.
We need to believe that we need Christ, and with Him we can do anything. We were made to only be truly complete when we are filled with Christ. Without Him we can do nothing, but with Him we can do all things. It’s a powerful thing to believe.
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
Pretty words. Fun to recite. Easy to say “Amen” to. Difficult for most of us to believe.
It’s easy to hear these words, accept them, but put little thought into them. We rob ourselves of a true understanding of their meaning when we do that. It doesn’t say some things can be done through Christ who strengthens me, or most things. It says all things. All is all. All is everything. This is what we are supposed to have faith in.
We are to have faith in Christ. That much is easy to understand. The ability to do all things, however, is dependant also on our ability to believe in ourselves. We don’t like having faith in ourselves, but why shouldn’t we? If we believe in Christ we don’t just believe we were born. We believe we were made in the image of God. We were fearfully and wonderfully made. God made us into people capable of doing whatever task He called us to do.
Faith in Christ and ourselves gives us access to powers we never knew we had. Faith in Christ is the main thing that separates believers from nonbelievers. It is this faith that kept Christ’s followers singing hymns as they were imprisoned, stoned, and persecuted. That faith enables us to know things we couldn’t know before, and to become the absolute best version of ourselves. Not someone who spends their lives controlled by the fear that tells them some things just can’t be done. We are instead able to become someone who knows all things are possible with Christ.
We need to believe that we need Christ, and with Him we can do anything. We were made to only be truly complete when we are filled with Christ. Without Him we can do nothing, but with Him we can do all things. It’s a powerful thing to believe.
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Faith, part 13
It is impossible to serve God without faith. It is not impossible to try. Many want to believe, but don’t allow themselves to have the faith required to believe. They respond to this by trying to follow all the guidelines of what it means to be a good Christian.
This really isn’t that hard to do, and is especially easy in a society like America where the Bible and countless studies on it are readily and easily available. It’s easy to know what a Christian is supposed to do, and how a Christian is meant to live. Without faith we can follow all the steps, and live like a Christian. We can go on missions trips, tithe, forgive offenses, praise, debate matters of Christ, and do countless other things. We can do this so effectively that we convince all people of our lies. We can even convince ourselves.
There is only one problem with this. We can never fool God. God can always see through our façade, and know us for who we really are. Jesus proved this to be true time and time again through many confrontations with the Pharisees. They knew all there was to know of the law, and insisted it should be followed. They often followed its teachings very closely. They may have possessed knowledge, but they lacked faith.
Obedience to the law or following the teachings of Jesus is nothing without faith in who He really is. Those who do so intentionally only insult Him. To call Him some great teacher, but to deny that He is the Son of God who died and rose again to bring us salvation is insulting. When we lack faith, and follow the teachings of Christ because we truly want to act like we believe we aren’t doing any more good for ourselves than those who call themselves deist. Paul wrote about this in Galatians 2:16:
“Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified.”
We can never justify a lack of faith by following the teachings of Christ, or obeying the law set forth in the Old Testament. Those teachings are good, but they cannot save us. Only Christ can. Only faith in His saving power can redeem us, and transform us. We cannot gain admittance into heaven by pretending like we belong. It doesn’t work that way. No one can be justified through the works of the law. We can only be justified by complete faith in the redemptive power of Jesus Christ.
This really isn’t that hard to do, and is especially easy in a society like America where the Bible and countless studies on it are readily and easily available. It’s easy to know what a Christian is supposed to do, and how a Christian is meant to live. Without faith we can follow all the steps, and live like a Christian. We can go on missions trips, tithe, forgive offenses, praise, debate matters of Christ, and do countless other things. We can do this so effectively that we convince all people of our lies. We can even convince ourselves.
There is only one problem with this. We can never fool God. God can always see through our façade, and know us for who we really are. Jesus proved this to be true time and time again through many confrontations with the Pharisees. They knew all there was to know of the law, and insisted it should be followed. They often followed its teachings very closely. They may have possessed knowledge, but they lacked faith.
Obedience to the law or following the teachings of Jesus is nothing without faith in who He really is. Those who do so intentionally only insult Him. To call Him some great teacher, but to deny that He is the Son of God who died and rose again to bring us salvation is insulting. When we lack faith, and follow the teachings of Christ because we truly want to act like we believe we aren’t doing any more good for ourselves than those who call themselves deist. Paul wrote about this in Galatians 2:16:
“Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified.”
We can never justify a lack of faith by following the teachings of Christ, or obeying the law set forth in the Old Testament. Those teachings are good, but they cannot save us. Only Christ can. Only faith in His saving power can redeem us, and transform us. We cannot gain admittance into heaven by pretending like we belong. It doesn’t work that way. No one can be justified through the works of the law. We can only be justified by complete faith in the redemptive power of Jesus Christ.
Monday, September 6, 2010
Faith, part 12
A common excuse for a lack of faith is a need for proof. This is a lie. Some want evidence, and this is legitimate, but those who claim they need proof don’t really want it. They just want an excuse. It is healthy to build up the foundation of our faith with evidence, but requiring proof is dumb. We only require proof when we are incapable of having faith.
Fortunately, grace covers all manner of sins. This sin of requiring proof is addressed plainly by Jesus after His resurrection when He speaks to Thomas in John 20:29:
“Jesus said to him, ‘Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
It is better to believe through faith than through proof, but believing in Christ when you witness His presence is in no way evil. Many saw Christ with their own eyes during His ministry, and did not believe. Thomas, one of His disciples, did not believe until he saw the wounds of the crucifixion for himself. It is better to see and believe than to see and still not believe. One can be dumb like Thomas, and still be saved.
Wanting evidence isn’t dumb. I’ve sought it out in the past, and found it’s easy to obtain if you aren’t just looking for excuses not to believe. Do not withhold evidence from those who would persistently seek it out. For some it is an excuse, but some do really want some answers. Don’t withhold them from those that seek them. Offer them Lee Strobel’s The Case for Christ, Josh McDowell’s More than Just a Jewish Carpenter, or a number of other books that speak to the evidence that Christ is the savior sent to redeem us of our sins. If reading these books leads someone Christ then that is a blessing. They can follow the Lord’s will, and spend eternity in heaven.
Blessed are those who have not seen, and have believed. Those who read such books still believe through faith, for none of us can touch the wounds of Christ as Thomas could. Those who use this need for proof as an excuse would not believe even if Christ stood before them. We should believe through faith. Sometimes having a little knowledge helps with that. There’s nothing wrong with that, for an honest search for truth will always lead to Jesus. Research if you must, but don’t be dumb. Believe. Have faith. Be blessed.
Fortunately, grace covers all manner of sins. This sin of requiring proof is addressed plainly by Jesus after His resurrection when He speaks to Thomas in John 20:29:
“Jesus said to him, ‘Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
It is better to believe through faith than through proof, but believing in Christ when you witness His presence is in no way evil. Many saw Christ with their own eyes during His ministry, and did not believe. Thomas, one of His disciples, did not believe until he saw the wounds of the crucifixion for himself. It is better to see and believe than to see and still not believe. One can be dumb like Thomas, and still be saved.
Wanting evidence isn’t dumb. I’ve sought it out in the past, and found it’s easy to obtain if you aren’t just looking for excuses not to believe. Do not withhold evidence from those who would persistently seek it out. For some it is an excuse, but some do really want some answers. Don’t withhold them from those that seek them. Offer them Lee Strobel’s The Case for Christ, Josh McDowell’s More than Just a Jewish Carpenter, or a number of other books that speak to the evidence that Christ is the savior sent to redeem us of our sins. If reading these books leads someone Christ then that is a blessing. They can follow the Lord’s will, and spend eternity in heaven.
Blessed are those who have not seen, and have believed. Those who read such books still believe through faith, for none of us can touch the wounds of Christ as Thomas could. Those who use this need for proof as an excuse would not believe even if Christ stood before them. We should believe through faith. Sometimes having a little knowledge helps with that. There’s nothing wrong with that, for an honest search for truth will always lead to Jesus. Research if you must, but don’t be dumb. Believe. Have faith. Be blessed.
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Faith, part 11
We are regularly told to have faith in God, or to have faith in Jesus. We often forget, however, that there is another we are to have faith in. The Holy Spirit.
There are many reasons the Holy Spirit is easy to forget. One is that while God and Jesus actively spoke throughout the Bible the Spirit did not usually play such a role. There are no scriptures that read “the Spirit said.” What we must understand is the Spirit was an ever present force throughout every part of the Bible. The Spirit is what made David a man after God owns heart. The Spirit is what turned a sinner like Saul into a saint named Paul. God creates, and Jesus saves, but the Spirit resides.
John 12:36 states:
“While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light.”
The light is the spirit. It is within us. It guides us toward salvation, and keeps us from sin. It is always there, and easy for the believer to ignore because we grow used to its presence. I’ve thought on this recently, and how different the world of today is than the world of the Old Testament. In the Old Testament God was the same God He is now, but He expressed Himself in far different ways. He spoke openly to people, and called down plagues to destroy those who opposed Him. He was very active, and one can easily be fooled into thinking He has actually become more passive since the coming of Christ.
This belief is wrong. God is just as active now, and arguably more so. He doesn’t just do amazing signs from outside of us, but He, as the Spirit, resides within each of us. Before the coming of Christ God would choose certain individuals, and allow the Spirit to reside within them. God would also rip the Spirit away from such people if they proved unworthy (He did this to King Saul). Since Christ redeemed us we now all have the ability to have the Spirit reside within us. We don’t have to look around for a pillar of fire to show us we should have faith in our God. We only have to look within ourselves, and remember that He’s there.
The Spirit is very real, and just as important as God and Jesus. Our faith in Christ provides us with the Spirit, and our faith in the Spirit grants us with power to overcome anything. It makes us into sons of light. I am not capable of describing just how amazing that is, but we have to believe it’s that amazing. The Spirit is within us. It guides us. It helps us. It loves us. It’s there for us through everything. It’s an amazing thing, and we must never cease to have faith in it.
There are many reasons the Holy Spirit is easy to forget. One is that while God and Jesus actively spoke throughout the Bible the Spirit did not usually play such a role. There are no scriptures that read “the Spirit said.” What we must understand is the Spirit was an ever present force throughout every part of the Bible. The Spirit is what made David a man after God owns heart. The Spirit is what turned a sinner like Saul into a saint named Paul. God creates, and Jesus saves, but the Spirit resides.
John 12:36 states:
“While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light.”
The light is the spirit. It is within us. It guides us toward salvation, and keeps us from sin. It is always there, and easy for the believer to ignore because we grow used to its presence. I’ve thought on this recently, and how different the world of today is than the world of the Old Testament. In the Old Testament God was the same God He is now, but He expressed Himself in far different ways. He spoke openly to people, and called down plagues to destroy those who opposed Him. He was very active, and one can easily be fooled into thinking He has actually become more passive since the coming of Christ.
This belief is wrong. God is just as active now, and arguably more so. He doesn’t just do amazing signs from outside of us, but He, as the Spirit, resides within each of us. Before the coming of Christ God would choose certain individuals, and allow the Spirit to reside within them. God would also rip the Spirit away from such people if they proved unworthy (He did this to King Saul). Since Christ redeemed us we now all have the ability to have the Spirit reside within us. We don’t have to look around for a pillar of fire to show us we should have faith in our God. We only have to look within ourselves, and remember that He’s there.
The Spirit is very real, and just as important as God and Jesus. Our faith in Christ provides us with the Spirit, and our faith in the Spirit grants us with power to overcome anything. It makes us into sons of light. I am not capable of describing just how amazing that is, but we have to believe it’s that amazing. The Spirit is within us. It guides us. It helps us. It loves us. It’s there for us through everything. It’s an amazing thing, and we must never cease to have faith in it.
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Faith, part 10
Luke 16:10-12 states:
“He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much. Therefore if you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? And if you have not been faithful in what is another man’s, who will give you what is your own?”
Faith creates trust. When you are good to others you prove that they can have faith in you. When you betray their trust they have no reason to have faith in you. When we have faith in the Lord He shows His faith in us by presenting us with His will. He only presents His will to one He believes is ready to follow it, and that He can trust. When we follow His will we do what He trusted us to do. He becomes angry when we choose to ignore His will. He will have no reason to trust us with His will again. The blessings He would have given us for following His will are not going to be given to us.
When no one can have faith in us we will be left with nothing. No person will have any reason to rely on us for anything. The Lord will have no reason to trust us with His will. Our deceit and betrayal will have dire consequences on our ability to bring others to Christ, and our ability to serve the Lord. Why would anyone listen to the gospel presented by someone they have no faith in?
When we act in a way that makes it so neither man nor God trusts us than repentance is necessary. Not only must we ask the Lord for forgiveness, but we must also show those we’ve deceived that they can have faith in us again. With the Lord it is important to remember He wants us to follow His will. He gives us His will, and wants us to know the blessings that come with it. He will rejoice when we turn from our evil ways.
Unfortunately, man is not always the same as God. People don’t always forgive so easily. Perhaps you have harmed someone so much that they won’t trust you again. You must still try to regain their trust. Your failure to get their trust does not mean that you can become the same evil person they believe you are. The sin of not forgiving is theirs, and you have redemption. Don’t give up on them, but don’t ignore the Lord’s will for you just so you can convince an unforgiving person to forgive you. Trust in the Lord, and He will trust in you. What others think of your trust doesn’t matter because your faith should not be in them. It should be in the Lord who created you, and has the faith to believe you can do the thing He sent you for.
“He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much. Therefore if you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? And if you have not been faithful in what is another man’s, who will give you what is your own?”
Faith creates trust. When you are good to others you prove that they can have faith in you. When you betray their trust they have no reason to have faith in you. When we have faith in the Lord He shows His faith in us by presenting us with His will. He only presents His will to one He believes is ready to follow it, and that He can trust. When we follow His will we do what He trusted us to do. He becomes angry when we choose to ignore His will. He will have no reason to trust us with His will again. The blessings He would have given us for following His will are not going to be given to us.
When no one can have faith in us we will be left with nothing. No person will have any reason to rely on us for anything. The Lord will have no reason to trust us with His will. Our deceit and betrayal will have dire consequences on our ability to bring others to Christ, and our ability to serve the Lord. Why would anyone listen to the gospel presented by someone they have no faith in?
When we act in a way that makes it so neither man nor God trusts us than repentance is necessary. Not only must we ask the Lord for forgiveness, but we must also show those we’ve deceived that they can have faith in us again. With the Lord it is important to remember He wants us to follow His will. He gives us His will, and wants us to know the blessings that come with it. He will rejoice when we turn from our evil ways.
Unfortunately, man is not always the same as God. People don’t always forgive so easily. Perhaps you have harmed someone so much that they won’t trust you again. You must still try to regain their trust. Your failure to get their trust does not mean that you can become the same evil person they believe you are. The sin of not forgiving is theirs, and you have redemption. Don’t give up on them, but don’t ignore the Lord’s will for you just so you can convince an unforgiving person to forgive you. Trust in the Lord, and He will trust in you. What others think of your trust doesn’t matter because your faith should not be in them. It should be in the Lord who created you, and has the faith to believe you can do the thing He sent you for.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Faith, part 9
An important factor in understanding who it is that acts through our faith. This is explained well in Luke 5:12-13:
“And it happened when He was in a certain city, that behold, a man who was full of leprosy saw Jesus; and he fell on his face and implored Him, saying, ‘Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.’ Then He put out His hand and touched him, saying, ‘I am willing; be cleansed.’ Immediately the leprosy left him.”
If You are willing. These are the key words many of us would like to forget when we have faith. The problem with forgetting these words is it makes our faith useless. When we choose to have faith while forgetting God is willing we don’t have faith in God. We have faith in ourselves, in what we want, and in our own power.
This leper had an understanding of faith that we should all have. He knew that the Lord had to be willing to heal his leprosy. We cannot force the Lord to do what we desire. He will only do what He is willing to do. We must have faith enough to understand that.
There are times that we have complete faith that the Lord will do what we ask, but He refuses. Sometimes the sick die. Sometimes He is not willing to save the one we prayed for. Sometimes He is unwilling to heal us, and that must be accepted. If He chooses not to answer our prayers we must have complete faith that there is a reason. Christ had complete faith that He could be spared from the cross, and He still let Himself be crucified. Sometimes the Lord’s servants must suffer just as His Son did. We may not want to accept this, but we must if we are to have faith.
Part of having faith is understanding that the Lord’s will supersedes our own.
When what we want is not His will it cannot be done no matter how hard we pray. We can ask Him to change His will, but He may not. This must be accepted if we are to serve Him. We must have faith that His will is being done. Everything is in His name, and not our own. We must have faith. He must be willing.
“And it happened when He was in a certain city, that behold, a man who was full of leprosy saw Jesus; and he fell on his face and implored Him, saying, ‘Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.’ Then He put out His hand and touched him, saying, ‘I am willing; be cleansed.’ Immediately the leprosy left him.”
If You are willing. These are the key words many of us would like to forget when we have faith. The problem with forgetting these words is it makes our faith useless. When we choose to have faith while forgetting God is willing we don’t have faith in God. We have faith in ourselves, in what we want, and in our own power.
This leper had an understanding of faith that we should all have. He knew that the Lord had to be willing to heal his leprosy. We cannot force the Lord to do what we desire. He will only do what He is willing to do. We must have faith enough to understand that.
There are times that we have complete faith that the Lord will do what we ask, but He refuses. Sometimes the sick die. Sometimes He is not willing to save the one we prayed for. Sometimes He is unwilling to heal us, and that must be accepted. If He chooses not to answer our prayers we must have complete faith that there is a reason. Christ had complete faith that He could be spared from the cross, and He still let Himself be crucified. Sometimes the Lord’s servants must suffer just as His Son did. We may not want to accept this, but we must if we are to have faith.
Part of having faith is understanding that the Lord’s will supersedes our own.
When what we want is not His will it cannot be done no matter how hard we pray. We can ask Him to change His will, but He may not. This must be accepted if we are to serve Him. We must have faith that His will is being done. Everything is in His name, and not our own. We must have faith. He must be willing.
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