I like those good "My God is tough and can do whatever He wants" verses every once in a while. Sometimes God is pictured as a really nice, old guy who would just sits on His hands all day, hoping that good stuff happens. And passages like this one help de-bunk that kinds of picture:
"33 So they set out from the mount of the Lord three days' journey. And the ark of the covenant of theLord went before them three days' journey, to seek out a resting place for them. 34 And the cloud of the Lord was over them by day, whenever they set out from the camp.
35 And whenever the ark set out, Moses said, 'Arise, O Lord, and let your enemies be scattered, and let those who hate you flee before you.'" (from Numbers 10)
In my morning reading today I read the above passage. This portion is describing when the Israelites would move from one place to another during their wanderings. God would be with them. They didn't know where they would be going or what troubles or enemies would be waiting for them. So Moses' prayer every time the ark went out was that God would arise, and His (and their) enemies scatter! It's a great reminder that our God is powerful. He's not weak, His power is not limited by anything or anyone. And He was able to fight for the Israelites- just like He delivered them out of the hand of the Egyptians.
"The LORD is a warrior; the LORD is his name." (Exodus 15:3)
I sat and meditated on this idea of God arising and causing His enemies to scatter. And I was reminded of another passage, where we also see God arising.
In John 13, As the disciples are arguing over who is the greatest among them, and as Judas is looking for his escape plan from the upper room, Jesus rises from the table and... washes the disciples' feet. The highest King stooped down as the lowliest of servants and washed feet.
Now, in some churches, there are foot-washing ceremonies. Those are great reminders, but a far more sanitized version of what Jesus did for those disciples. Washing feet in those days was disgusting. These days we get residue on streets from the exhaust of cars. In those days they got the, umm, residue on their streets from the, uh, exhaust of their animals. Feces mixed with dirt mixed with sweat, all over their feet.
Jesus took the role of the servant, arose from the table and washed those filthy feet.
What a servant our Jesus is! What an awesome God! What god is like our God? Whom did Allah ever stoop to serve? Did Buddha or any of the myriads of Hindu gods ever take the role of the servant for an undeserving people? And yet, here He is- the King of kings and Lord of Lords, Faithful and True, the Alpha and Omega, the eternal Word arising to serve.
"Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."- Philippians 2:5-11
"Meekness and majesty
Manhood and Deity
In perfect harmony
The Man who is God
Lord of eternity
Dwells in humanity
Kneels in humility
And washes our feet
O what a mystery
Meekness and majesty
Bow down and worship
For this is your God"
Meekness and Majesty, Graham Kendrick
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Grace
I'm amazed at the grace of God. Not a novel concept, is it?
"Amazing Grace"
"Your Grace Still Amazes Me"
"Wonderful Grace of Jesus"
Yeah, I think there have been a few songs written about that.
But, as I sit here in my office finishing up the day, I've got to say I'm just amazed by God's grace toward me again.
I've been blessed with innumerable blessings which I did not choose for myself. Did I decide, "The United States looks like a good place to be born, I think I'll go there?" Nope. Did I choose to be born NOT in the Little House on the Prairie times when life expectancy was, like, 40? Nope. Did I choose my family? My father's job? My health? My talents? No, no, no, no, and no.
Whenever I hear people talk about the virtues of free will, I cringe. Maybe I'm the only one who feels this way, but I think, "Free will? Where did my free will ever get me?"
My free will led me into lots of error. It led me into bad decisions, bad situations, things I wish I could forget, bad friends, good friends that I hurt, bad relationships, hurt people I had didn't do anything to help, helping people that I hurt. Oh, man. My free will has been something I need to FIGHT in my life, not celebrate!
Look at what God has done. Has He treated me as my sins deserve? Has He let me see the end of every bad road I've started down? Has He punished me immediately for my sins when He totally could have? No. Much more than that, He has blessed me immensely.
I don't deserve my wife. I don't deserve my kids. I don't deserve my family. I don't deserve my job. I don't deserve my church. I don't deserve my friends, my home, my clothes, my neighbors- nothing! I deserve to be punished for my sins! For where my free will got me.
But, thanks be to God, I haven't received what I deserve. Moreover, I receive the acceptance that Jesus Christ deserves.
"How can that be," you may wonder.
Because Jesus didn't deserve to be born in a manger. Jesus didn't deserve to be born in a poor town, in a minor nation allotted a little land to keep the citizens happy. He didn't deserve to have to work hard to make stuff- He already made everything. He didn't deserve to be alone, or hungry, or tempted. He didn't deserve to have His own people reject Him. He didn't deserve to be betrayed by a friend. He didn't deserve to be mocked. He didn't deserve to be called a blasphemer and judged a heretic. He didn't deserve to have to appear before a court or a crowd or a small group of soldiers with nothing better to do than to make him a mockery king costume and beat him over the head. He didn't deserve the whip, the thorn, the nail. He didn't deserve the cross. He didn't deserve to die, and He really didn't deserve to die like that. He didn't deserve to have God's punishment for my sins poured out completely on Him- imagine, the fury of eternities in Hell squeezed into a few hours. He didn't deserve to pay that price.
But He did.
Of His own free will, He did.
More than that, He rose over death, ascended to His Father's right hand and now stands as my Advocate. My Advocate.
So that, whenever I fall again and need His grace and need His forgiveness, He is there. He's paid for my debt in full. I confess my sins right to Him, and He extends His grace and forgiveness to me who did absolutely nothing to deserve it. And He blesses me
Pretty amazing, huh?
"Amazing Grace"
"Your Grace Still Amazes Me"
"Wonderful Grace of Jesus"
Yeah, I think there have been a few songs written about that.
But, as I sit here in my office finishing up the day, I've got to say I'm just amazed by God's grace toward me again.
I've been blessed with innumerable blessings which I did not choose for myself. Did I decide, "The United States looks like a good place to be born, I think I'll go there?" Nope. Did I choose to be born NOT in the Little House on the Prairie times when life expectancy was, like, 40? Nope. Did I choose my family? My father's job? My health? My talents? No, no, no, no, and no.
Whenever I hear people talk about the virtues of free will, I cringe. Maybe I'm the only one who feels this way, but I think, "Free will? Where did my free will ever get me?"
My free will led me into lots of error. It led me into bad decisions, bad situations, things I wish I could forget, bad friends, good friends that I hurt, bad relationships, hurt people I had didn't do anything to help, helping people that I hurt. Oh, man. My free will has been something I need to FIGHT in my life, not celebrate!
Look at what God has done. Has He treated me as my sins deserve? Has He let me see the end of every bad road I've started down? Has He punished me immediately for my sins when He totally could have? No. Much more than that, He has blessed me immensely.
I don't deserve my wife. I don't deserve my kids. I don't deserve my family. I don't deserve my job. I don't deserve my church. I don't deserve my friends, my home, my clothes, my neighbors- nothing! I deserve to be punished for my sins! For where my free will got me.
But, thanks be to God, I haven't received what I deserve. Moreover, I receive the acceptance that Jesus Christ deserves.
"How can that be," you may wonder.
Because Jesus didn't deserve to be born in a manger. Jesus didn't deserve to be born in a poor town, in a minor nation allotted a little land to keep the citizens happy. He didn't deserve to have to work hard to make stuff- He already made everything. He didn't deserve to be alone, or hungry, or tempted. He didn't deserve to have His own people reject Him. He didn't deserve to be betrayed by a friend. He didn't deserve to be mocked. He didn't deserve to be called a blasphemer and judged a heretic. He didn't deserve to have to appear before a court or a crowd or a small group of soldiers with nothing better to do than to make him a mockery king costume and beat him over the head. He didn't deserve the whip, the thorn, the nail. He didn't deserve the cross. He didn't deserve to die, and He really didn't deserve to die like that. He didn't deserve to have God's punishment for my sins poured out completely on Him- imagine, the fury of eternities in Hell squeezed into a few hours. He didn't deserve to pay that price.
But He did.
Of His own free will, He did.
More than that, He rose over death, ascended to His Father's right hand and now stands as my Advocate. My Advocate.
So that, whenever I fall again and need His grace and need His forgiveness, He is there. He's paid for my debt in full. I confess my sins right to Him, and He extends His grace and forgiveness to me who did absolutely nothing to deserve it. And He blesses me
Pretty amazing, huh?
Friday, February 10, 2012
Come Close
As I go through my chronological read through this year, a theme has kept popping up over and over again: sin separates us from God. I know, basic theme, right? But no less captivating.
You see it first in the garden, and you see it over and over again in individual stories. Time and again we see man's sin forging a barrier between them and God. Ever since the fall of man and the ensuing curse, man has been separated from God. God faithfully loves His people, but they can never come too close to Him because of their sinfulness.
After being rescued from Pharaoh's hand in Egypt, the Israelites finally arrive at Mt Sinai. There, they enter into a covenant with God-
"The LORD called to him out of the mountain, saying, “Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob, and tell the people of Israel: You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles' wings and brought you to myself. Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine; and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation."
The people agreed to do everything that the Lord commanded. So Moses climbs up the mountain to receive the first instructions that the Israelites are to follow: The 10 Commandments.
Over and over again the people are reminded to stay at a distance from the mountain. First they are warned that, if they come close, they are to be put to death. Later, the Lord says that if the people came near they would die. They couldn't even come up the mountain a little bit. And, given how awesome the scene on the mountain was, they didn't seem to want to:
"On the morning of the third day there were thunders and lightnings and a thick cloud on the mountain and a very loud trumpet blast, so that all the people in the camp trembled... Now Mount Sinai was wrapped in smoke because the LORD had descended on it in fire. The smoke of it went up like the smoke of a kiln, and the whole mountain trembled greatly...
Now when all the people saw the thunder and the flashes of lightning and the sound of the trumpet and the mountain smoking, the people were afraid and trembled, and they stood far off and said to Moses, “You speak to us, and we will listen; but do not let God speak to us, lest we die.”
Important things were happening. God was meeting man on the mountain and making a covenant with them. He had chosen two men (Moses and Aaron) to meet with Him on the mountain, and no one else could come near. The display of God's power was so awesome, no one wanted to.
How could man ever come near to God? Who can keep His commandments perfectly?
"Who shall ascend the hill of the LORD?
And who shall stand in his holy place?
He who has clean hands and a pure heart,
who does not lift up his soul to what is false
and does not swear deceitfully."
Who has ever lived truly clean hands (ie, never sinned)? Who has EVER had a truly pure heart? Who has never given his affection for a god lesser than our Creator?
"for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God"
Who, then, will ascend the hill of the Lord for us who have failed to keep His covenant? Who can represent us before the awesome presence of the Lord?
"But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous."
Fast forward to another time when God met with man, doing an important thing, making a covenant with them:
"And he (Jesus) said to them, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. For I tell you I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he said, “Take this, and divide it among yourselves. For I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vineuntil the kingdom of God comes.” And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood."
Did you catch it? Do you see what happened? We can't draw near to God because we're sinful. So God drew near to us. Sinners. Rebels. Idol-factories. And He makes a new covenant with us. He doesn't wait for us to go up the mountain to Him. He sends His perfect Son to go on our behalf. His Son has clean hands and a pure heart. His Son never lifted up His soul to what is false. He was tested in every way, and was without sin.
And what did He do when He ascended the holy hill on our behalf? He gave Himself for us. His body and His blood given for us is what enacts this new covenant. Why? Because God's punishment of sin demands that the price (death) for sin be paid. Jesus takes our sin on Himself and carries it to the cross, bears the punishment for the sin, and rises again victorious on the third day. Knowing this would soon take place, He invited His disciples to come close to Him.
Close enough to break bread together, close enough to pass the cup of wine that symbolized His blood which would be spilled for them soon. And He invites us as well to come close to His table. Close to Him, the same one who filled the Israelites with terror in His presence on the mountain. Now, because of His finished work- because He has dealt with our sin- we can come close. More than that, He invites us to come close!
How in the world could we possibly pass up an opportunity to come close to the table to commune with Him? The display of God's love is so awesome, who wouldn't want to come?
After being rescued from Pharaoh's hand in Egypt, the Israelites finally arrive at Mt Sinai. There, they enter into a covenant with God-
"The LORD called to him out of the mountain, saying, “Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob, and tell the people of Israel: You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles' wings and brought you to myself. Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine; and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation."
The people agreed to do everything that the Lord commanded. So Moses climbs up the mountain to receive the first instructions that the Israelites are to follow: The 10 Commandments.
Over and over again the people are reminded to stay at a distance from the mountain. First they are warned that, if they come close, they are to be put to death. Later, the Lord says that if the people came near they would die. They couldn't even come up the mountain a little bit. And, given how awesome the scene on the mountain was, they didn't seem to want to:
"On the morning of the third day there were thunders and lightnings and a thick cloud on the mountain and a very loud trumpet blast, so that all the people in the camp trembled... Now Mount Sinai was wrapped in smoke because the LORD had descended on it in fire. The smoke of it went up like the smoke of a kiln, and the whole mountain trembled greatly...
Now when all the people saw the thunder and the flashes of lightning and the sound of the trumpet and the mountain smoking, the people were afraid and trembled, and they stood far off and said to Moses, “You speak to us, and we will listen; but do not let God speak to us, lest we die.”
Important things were happening. God was meeting man on the mountain and making a covenant with them. He had chosen two men (Moses and Aaron) to meet with Him on the mountain, and no one else could come near. The display of God's power was so awesome, no one wanted to.
How could man ever come near to God? Who can keep His commandments perfectly?
"Who shall ascend the hill of the LORD?
And who shall stand in his holy place?
He who has clean hands and a pure heart,
who does not lift up his soul to what is false
and does not swear deceitfully."
Who has ever lived truly clean hands (ie, never sinned)? Who has EVER had a truly pure heart? Who has never given his affection for a god lesser than our Creator?
"for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God"
Who, then, will ascend the hill of the Lord for us who have failed to keep His covenant? Who can represent us before the awesome presence of the Lord?
"But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous."
Fast forward to another time when God met with man, doing an important thing, making a covenant with them:
"And he (Jesus) said to them, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. For I tell you I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he said, “Take this, and divide it among yourselves. For I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vineuntil the kingdom of God comes.” And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood."
Did you catch it? Do you see what happened? We can't draw near to God because we're sinful. So God drew near to us. Sinners. Rebels. Idol-factories. And He makes a new covenant with us. He doesn't wait for us to go up the mountain to Him. He sends His perfect Son to go on our behalf. His Son has clean hands and a pure heart. His Son never lifted up His soul to what is false. He was tested in every way, and was without sin.
And what did He do when He ascended the holy hill on our behalf? He gave Himself for us. His body and His blood given for us is what enacts this new covenant. Why? Because God's punishment of sin demands that the price (death) for sin be paid. Jesus takes our sin on Himself and carries it to the cross, bears the punishment for the sin, and rises again victorious on the third day. Knowing this would soon take place, He invited His disciples to come close to Him.
Close enough to break bread together, close enough to pass the cup of wine that symbolized His blood which would be spilled for them soon. And He invites us as well to come close to His table. Close to Him, the same one who filled the Israelites with terror in His presence on the mountain. Now, because of His finished work- because He has dealt with our sin- we can come close. More than that, He invites us to come close!
How in the world could we possibly pass up an opportunity to come close to the table to commune with Him? The display of God's love is so awesome, who wouldn't want to come?
Saturday, February 4, 2012
Enter His Gates
I was behind a lady the other day at my local Starbucks who ordered the most complex sounding drink I've ever heard. It had a couple of "half-pumps" in it and strict temperature demands. When she got her drink, she took a little sip and immediately retorted to the barista that she must have put in more than half a pump of some syrup.
I stood behind her marveling at how specific her demands were for her coffee. I was amazed that someone would accept nothing less than exactly what suits her tastes. And I was aghast at how much she is like the Church when it comes to worship.
I hear people say all the time "I love it when so-and-so leads worship, but when such-and-such leads I just can't worship..." "I would worship so much better if so and so ALWAYS led worship." We all have favorite songs and favorite types of music. But what in the world are we expecting the songs and instruments to do? Are we expecting them to lift us to a place we won't otherwise go?
Now, don't get me wrong. The Church needs musicians who play excellently. Well-written songs can express what is in the heart of the Church and be a fantastic way to lift up worship to our great God. But have we become addicted to music in worship? More specifically, have we become addicted to the musical style that we like or a certain group of songs that we like?
I can't lead anyone in worship. I can lead BY worshiping. But leading in worship can only be done by the Holy Spirit. When we approach corporate worship with cold, dead hearts it is no wonder that our offering to God is passionless and dull.
I think that corporate worship can be really wonderful and alive when believers come into the door already worshiping. Then the music is just a means of expression and not the critical part that it so commonly now plays.
What changes from week to week? Or song to song? Maybe the quality or the instrumentation or the lead worshiper. But God hasn't changed! God is no less worthy of honor, glory, blessing... (worship!) when the worship team doesn't suit our personal tastes. God's glory and greatness can be found in the songs written by Redman, Tomlin and Baloche. His immanence and love can be found in the Gaither songs. The profound riches of his work are throughout the newer songs written by Keith and Kristyn Getty, or the older Hymns of Worship and Remembrance. But none of these songs can make us worship. They can help us express what is in our hearts, but the worship needs to be in our hearts first just bursting to come out no matter what the baristas are making that day :-)
I stood behind her marveling at how specific her demands were for her coffee. I was amazed that someone would accept nothing less than exactly what suits her tastes. And I was aghast at how much she is like the Church when it comes to worship.
I hear people say all the time "I love it when so-and-so leads worship, but when such-and-such leads I just can't worship..." "I would worship so much better if so and so ALWAYS led worship." We all have favorite songs and favorite types of music. But what in the world are we expecting the songs and instruments to do? Are we expecting them to lift us to a place we won't otherwise go?
Now, don't get me wrong. The Church needs musicians who play excellently. Well-written songs can express what is in the heart of the Church and be a fantastic way to lift up worship to our great God. But have we become addicted to music in worship? More specifically, have we become addicted to the musical style that we like or a certain group of songs that we like?
I can't lead anyone in worship. I can lead BY worshiping. But leading in worship can only be done by the Holy Spirit. When we approach corporate worship with cold, dead hearts it is no wonder that our offering to God is passionless and dull.
I think that corporate worship can be really wonderful and alive when believers come into the door already worshiping. Then the music is just a means of expression and not the critical part that it so commonly now plays.
What changes from week to week? Or song to song? Maybe the quality or the instrumentation or the lead worshiper. But God hasn't changed! God is no less worthy of honor, glory, blessing... (worship!) when the worship team doesn't suit our personal tastes. God's glory and greatness can be found in the songs written by Redman, Tomlin and Baloche. His immanence and love can be found in the Gaither songs. The profound riches of his work are throughout the newer songs written by Keith and Kristyn Getty, or the older Hymns of Worship and Remembrance. But none of these songs can make us worship. They can help us express what is in our hearts, but the worship needs to be in our hearts first just bursting to come out no matter what the baristas are making that day :-)
starting again
Rebirth? No, it's not that dramatic.
Resurrection? No, it's not nearly that powerful.
Revived? Maybe, that's a little closer.
I'm just starting up my blog again. I guess it's really not that big of a deal for anyone but me.
I want to do everything I can to stir up the Church for the worship of Jesus. To help light a spark in us, to help us lift up our eyes.
That's why I changed the blog title from the super-catchy "Dan's Worship Blog" (which sounds like the web version of a hot dog stand) to worship34/3. Psalm 34 is frequently in my heart as I do my part at my local church to encourage worship. It starts out:
"I will praise the LORD at all times.
I will constantly speak his praises.
I will boast only in the LORD;
let all who are helpless take heart."
David starts with a bold declaration that he would praise or bless the LORD at all times. He would constantly speak His praises. This is a worshiper who is unquenchable. With a heart filled to overflowing with Who God is and what He has done, he always has a word of praise that makes its way from his heart to his mouth. This is a worshiper who is ready.
David's worship does not merely result his own praise to the LORD. It has a spreading effect- an inviting effect. You can see it in the last part quoted above: "Let all who are helpless take heart."
But the extent of the invitation does not end with an opportunity to observe David's worship and to "take heart." No, the invitation is extended to join with him in praising God in 34:3:
Come, let us tell of the LORD’s greatness
(some versions: 'Come magnify the LORD with me');
let us exalt his name together.
Here is where what is going on in David's heart is projected out for others to see and hear. Not to make anything special of David, but to display Who God is and what God has done for him as a means to stir others to worship. David is taking the role of a lead worshiper here: Inspiring and encouraging worship through exemplifying worship. He is saying, "I am going to worship the LORD all the time. And I invite you to join me!"
And that's exactly what I want this blog to serve as: I want to make my boast in the Lord, to speak His praises and invite you to do so with me.
Every so often I plan on looking at the more practical side of being a lead-worshiper, but I don't want this to be a technical blog for a restricted audience. I want this to be an invitation to any who would worship Jesus Christ, the risen Son of God:
Come, let us tell of the LORD’s greatness;
let us exalt his name together. Psalm 34:3
Resurrection? No, it's not nearly that powerful.
Revived? Maybe, that's a little closer.
I'm just starting up my blog again. I guess it's really not that big of a deal for anyone but me.
I want to do everything I can to stir up the Church for the worship of Jesus. To help light a spark in us, to help us lift up our eyes.
That's why I changed the blog title from the super-catchy "Dan's Worship Blog" (which sounds like the web version of a hot dog stand) to worship34/3. Psalm 34 is frequently in my heart as I do my part at my local church to encourage worship. It starts out:
"I will praise the LORD at all times.
I will constantly speak his praises.
I will boast only in the LORD;
let all who are helpless take heart."
David starts with a bold declaration that he would praise or bless the LORD at all times. He would constantly speak His praises. This is a worshiper who is unquenchable. With a heart filled to overflowing with Who God is and what He has done, he always has a word of praise that makes its way from his heart to his mouth. This is a worshiper who is ready.
David's worship does not merely result his own praise to the LORD. It has a spreading effect- an inviting effect. You can see it in the last part quoted above: "Let all who are helpless take heart."
But the extent of the invitation does not end with an opportunity to observe David's worship and to "take heart." No, the invitation is extended to join with him in praising God in 34:3:
Come, let us tell of the LORD’s greatness
(some versions: 'Come magnify the LORD with me');
let us exalt his name together.
Here is where what is going on in David's heart is projected out for others to see and hear. Not to make anything special of David, but to display Who God is and what God has done for him as a means to stir others to worship. David is taking the role of a lead worshiper here: Inspiring and encouraging worship through exemplifying worship. He is saying, "I am going to worship the LORD all the time. And I invite you to join me!"
And that's exactly what I want this blog to serve as: I want to make my boast in the Lord, to speak His praises and invite you to do so with me.
Every so often I plan on looking at the more practical side of being a lead-worshiper, but I don't want this to be a technical blog for a restricted audience. I want this to be an invitation to any who would worship Jesus Christ, the risen Son of God:
Come, let us tell of the LORD’s greatness;
let us exalt his name together. Psalm 34:3
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
A Challenging Thought from Keith Green
I've been going through some good changes in my life recently. There is a certain thrill to letting go of something that is okay so that you can take up/devote yourself more fully to something better. One of those things that I have been taking up more diligently has been spending more personal time in the Word. It's amazing how spending time alone with God, interacting with Him through His Word, can help lift our eyes on Him.
There's much to be said about stoking the fire for worship. I came across this piece written by Keith Green, and thought it might be good to share:
"If your heart takes more pleasure in reading novels, or watching TV, or going to the movies, or talking to friends, rather than just sitting alone with God and embracing Him, sharing His cares and His burdens, weeping and rejoicing with Him, then how are you going to handle forever and ever in His presence with no TV, movies, or singles' retreats? You'd be bored to tears in heaven, if you're not ecstatic about God now!" (full article can be read at: http://www.keithgreen.com/)
It's a good challenge to think about eternity- what we will be doing, and how that should affect our lives now.
There's much to be said about stoking the fire for worship. I came across this piece written by Keith Green, and thought it might be good to share:
"If your heart takes more pleasure in reading novels, or watching TV, or going to the movies, or talking to friends, rather than just sitting alone with God and embracing Him, sharing His cares and His burdens, weeping and rejoicing with Him, then how are you going to handle forever and ever in His presence with no TV, movies, or singles' retreats? You'd be bored to tears in heaven, if you're not ecstatic about God now!" (full article can be read at: http://www.keithgreen.com/)
It's a good challenge to think about eternity- what we will be doing, and how that should affect our lives now.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Knowing the end sure helps
I'll admit it, I'm a Portland Trailblazers fan. This year I'm trying to actually watch as many games as possible since I haven't done that for a long time.
A couple of weeks ago I was watching the game delayed on my DVR. Just a bit into the Third quarter the Blazers were down and they looked to be losing steam from earlier in the game. Just then I got a call from a friend who said, "Did you watch the Blazer game? Wasn't it AWESOME?!?". I could tell by her demeanor that the Blazers had finished well.
"STOP!!! Don't tell me anything about the game," I said, "I'm still watching it!"
She agreed, but I knew that it ended well.
Knowing the end makes all kinds of difference as to how you view the present. In the game, knowing that the Blazers won made the turnovers, missed free throws and missed shots much more bearable. In our present situation, with the economy way down and likely dropping further, it would be really great to know how it is going to turn out for us here in the US.
Unfortunately, we don't have the luxury of knowing what is going to happen in our economy. We really don't know what is going to happen with our nation. Many of my friends are disappointed in the President that our nation chose, and things just look down. And, frankly, for our nation, things might continue to get worse.
But that may be like watching your team implode in the last 8 minutes of a basketball game. If you know that they win in the end, all you're left wondering is "how are they going to pull this off?"
As I've been reading the book of Revelation recently, I have been trying to put myself in the position of its first readers: persecuted, having left home to find work outside the vast empire so bent on destroying all those who belong to your new-found faith. These families faced very real persecution every day. One of the empire's growing sports was watching these followers of Jesus get eaten by lions or be burned alive. How would it all turn out in the end?
Revelation 21: "Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away."
And he who was seated on the throne said, "Behold, I am making all things new."
Also he said, "Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true."
And he said to me, "It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment. The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son. "
(Rev 21:1-7)
Praise God that there is hope that is more sure than Wall Street. There is treasure that will not collapse no matter what falls around it. There is position that cannot and will not be lost. All heaven and earth may crumble, but we can stand steadfast and sure in the promise that God Almighty will be our God and we will be His sons. No one can thwart His plans, no one can stay His hand in accomplishing what He desires. And though we may not see it now, He says "It is done!"
Come, Lord Jesus.
A couple of weeks ago I was watching the game delayed on my DVR. Just a bit into the Third quarter the Blazers were down and they looked to be losing steam from earlier in the game. Just then I got a call from a friend who said, "Did you watch the Blazer game? Wasn't it AWESOME?!?". I could tell by her demeanor that the Blazers had finished well.
"STOP!!! Don't tell me anything about the game," I said, "I'm still watching it!"
She agreed, but I knew that it ended well.
Knowing the end makes all kinds of difference as to how you view the present. In the game, knowing that the Blazers won made the turnovers, missed free throws and missed shots much more bearable. In our present situation, with the economy way down and likely dropping further, it would be really great to know how it is going to turn out for us here in the US.
Unfortunately, we don't have the luxury of knowing what is going to happen in our economy. We really don't know what is going to happen with our nation. Many of my friends are disappointed in the President that our nation chose, and things just look down. And, frankly, for our nation, things might continue to get worse.
But that may be like watching your team implode in the last 8 minutes of a basketball game. If you know that they win in the end, all you're left wondering is "how are they going to pull this off?"
As I've been reading the book of Revelation recently, I have been trying to put myself in the position of its first readers: persecuted, having left home to find work outside the vast empire so bent on destroying all those who belong to your new-found faith. These families faced very real persecution every day. One of the empire's growing sports was watching these followers of Jesus get eaten by lions or be burned alive. How would it all turn out in the end?
Revelation 21: "Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away."
And he who was seated on the throne said, "Behold, I am making all things new."
Also he said, "Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true."
And he said to me, "It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment. The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son. "
(Rev 21:1-7)
Praise God that there is hope that is more sure than Wall Street. There is treasure that will not collapse no matter what falls around it. There is position that cannot and will not be lost. All heaven and earth may crumble, but we can stand steadfast and sure in the promise that God Almighty will be our God and we will be His sons. No one can thwart His plans, no one can stay His hand in accomplishing what He desires. And though we may not see it now, He says "It is done!"
Come, Lord Jesus.
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