Continuing my meditation on our present economic and social straits, I was reading Ps 50:10-12 this morning. It says, "...for every animal of the forest is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills. I know every bird in the mountains, and the insects in the fields are mine. If I were hungry I would not tell you, for the world is mine, and all that is in it."
I find this passage both very comforting, and at the same time a good check for my heart. I know that much of the time I think that which I have is 'mine'. It does my heart good to remember that all is God's - these things have just been entrusted to my care.
When our economy is shaken it is good to remember who really owns it all, and who we should place our trust in. I choose to trust in God, not the US economy.
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Monday, April 25, 2011
Preparation and Action
A few days a ago I was reading Matt 25 which is a chapter dedicated to preparation and action. It starts out with a parable about 10 virgins, waiting for the bridegroom to come. My meditation was on verse 4: "The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps."
I was thinking about how much work that probably was to lug along oil in jars, on top of everything else. They were obviously the type of people who think ahead, look at possible scenarios, then take action, and are not dissuaded because of a little extra work. Too often, I am all about quick decisions and quick action, not thinking the situations through, and then preparing and acting accordingly.
This section of scripture is focused on the end times, or last days, or end of the Age. Jesus is giving clear direction about how we should think, prepare and act. We would be wise to listen to His words, and act on them.
As we stare down difficult financial and economic times in this country (USA), we would also be wise, as the Church) to be prepared and willing to act, so that we are ready.
I was thinking about how much work that probably was to lug along oil in jars, on top of everything else. They were obviously the type of people who think ahead, look at possible scenarios, then take action, and are not dissuaded because of a little extra work. Too often, I am all about quick decisions and quick action, not thinking the situations through, and then preparing and acting accordingly.
This section of scripture is focused on the end times, or last days, or end of the Age. Jesus is giving clear direction about how we should think, prepare and act. We would be wise to listen to His words, and act on them.
As we stare down difficult financial and economic times in this country (USA), we would also be wise, as the Church) to be prepared and willing to act, so that we are ready.
Monday, April 11, 2011
God's Perspective
One of the verses that amazes me is Romans 2:13-15 where it says, "For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God’s sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous. 14 (Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law. 15 They show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts sometimes accusing them and at other times even defending them.) "
What an incredible section of scripture addressing a very controversial issue - those who have not heard the truth, but still live it. We, in our human perspective, want to figure everything out - understand all the rules and the way God works. He was very clear in the Old Testament about righteousness and the requirements to attain righteousness. Here God, through Paul's writing, opens up the possibility that gentiles, from His perspective, without meeting the righteousness requirements of the law, could be considered righteous (if they obey the same precepts of the law) because they act correctly by their own nature, guided by their hearts and consciences.
Can the same thing be said about people who live in accordance with the New Covenant, without ever having heard the Gospel? I clearly don't have the answer. However, one thing I do know, God's perspective on this matter is much different than mine - as high as the heavens are above the earth (Is 55).
What an incredible section of scripture addressing a very controversial issue - those who have not heard the truth, but still live it. We, in our human perspective, want to figure everything out - understand all the rules and the way God works. He was very clear in the Old Testament about righteousness and the requirements to attain righteousness. Here God, through Paul's writing, opens up the possibility that gentiles, from His perspective, without meeting the righteousness requirements of the law, could be considered righteous (if they obey the same precepts of the law) because they act correctly by their own nature, guided by their hearts and consciences.
Can the same thing be said about people who live in accordance with the New Covenant, without ever having heard the Gospel? I clearly don't have the answer. However, one thing I do know, God's perspective on this matter is much different than mine - as high as the heavens are above the earth (Is 55).
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Streams in the Wasteland
A while ago I was reading Isaiah 43 - meditating on verse 19 which says, "See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland."
I was thinking of how often we find ourselves in difficult situations, dry times, and times of relative fruitlessness. It feels like we are smack in the middle of the desert or wasteland. No hope in sight, no source of life in view.
God in His merciful and faithful way, appears actually excited in the verse! "I'm doing something new - can't you see it?" Its almost as if He can't wait for us to discover His provision for us in that place!
Time after time, in my life, I have found these streams in the desert, these new ways of seeing God's provision. What sweet relief they are!
Thank You Lord - that you care for us - even in the midst of the wasteland and desert!
I was thinking of how often we find ourselves in difficult situations, dry times, and times of relative fruitlessness. It feels like we are smack in the middle of the desert or wasteland. No hope in sight, no source of life in view.
God in His merciful and faithful way, appears actually excited in the verse! "I'm doing something new - can't you see it?" Its almost as if He can't wait for us to discover His provision for us in that place!
Time after time, in my life, I have found these streams in the desert, these new ways of seeing God's provision. What sweet relief they are!
Thank You Lord - that you care for us - even in the midst of the wasteland and desert!
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Washed Clean
A while back I was reading Zechariah 13:1, "1 “On that day a fountain will be opened to the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, to cleanse them from sin and impurity." Clearly this is pointing to the great work Jesus did through His death on the Cross and His Resurrection! Only in Him are we cleansed and washed clean!
I am reminded of the verse in Isaiah 1: 18, “Come now, let us settle the matter,” says the LORD. "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool."
God settles the matter - not man!
Thank You God for your redemption and forgiveness! You did for us, what we are unable to do - washing us completely clean!
I am reminded of the verse in Isaiah 1: 18, “Come now, let us settle the matter,” says the LORD. "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool."
God settles the matter - not man!
Thank You God for your redemption and forgiveness! You did for us, what we are unable to do - washing us completely clean!
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Chuck the Stuff
I was reading Hebrews 12 recently and was reminded of one of my favorite verses. Verse 1 states, "1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith."
I like the visual aspect of this verse - throwing things off that hinder us, throwing off sin that entangles. I can almost see in my mind a giant dumpster waiting for me to throw away all that does not benefit me in my pursuit of God. Attitudes, past hurts, wrong perspectives, fear, doubt, rebellion, and of course sin.
God, help me to recognize those things in my life that hinder me and entangle me so that I can 'chuck' them out of my life! I want to be able run after you with everything I have in me.
Monday, April 4, 2011
Don't Miss What God is Saying
This morning I was reading John 13:31-38 and saw something I hadn't before - Peter apparently missing one of the most important things Jesus said. Here is the text:
31 When he was gone, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man is glorified and God is glorified in him. 32 If God is glorified in him,[a] God will glorify the Son in himself, and will glorify him at once.
31 When he was gone, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man is glorified and God is glorified in him. 32 If God is glorified in him,[a] God will glorify the Son in himself, and will glorify him at once.
33 “My children, I will be with you only a little longer. You will look for me, and just as I told the Jews, so I tell you now: Where I am going, you cannot come.
34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
36 Simon Peter asked him, “Lord, where are you going?”
Jesus replied, “Where I am going, you cannot follow now, but you will follow later.”
37 Peter asked, “Lord, why can’t I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.”
38 Then Jesus answered, “Will you really lay down your life for me? Very truly I tell you, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times!
Jesus is speaking and gives us a new commandment (Verse 34 & 35) - this is the equivalent to Moses receiving the 10 Commandments - HUGELY IMPORTANT! And Peter seems to totally miss it (verse 36)! Instead of understanding and reacting to this new commandment, Peter's mind is totally fixated on what Jesus said prior to the new commandment - that He was leaving.
How many times have I missed what God was saying to me - because my mind was preoccupied?
Lord, help me to always be attentive to Your word to me - help me to clearly understand the importance of what you are saying, even if it shakes my world!
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