"And Abram listened to the voice of Sarai." (Genesis 16:2)
Surely listening to your wife is a good thing. It is, unless her voice is contrary to God's Word. And in this case, Abram and Sarai were old and God had promised Abram a male heir that would make him the father and source of blessing to many nations (people groups). Abram was impatient and tired of waiting on God and so he and Sarai decided to help God out a little.
Is there anything harder than waiting on God? Maybe living with the consequences is harder. But it is certainly difficult to wait on God. Psalm 37:7a says, "Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him;" In other words come before God in the solitude of prayer and seek His will, and when you discover God's will wait on Him to act in your life in the way that He has promised. Be patient. God is always right on time.
No sooner does Hagar bear Abram a son than problems develop between the two wives. Go figure. And in Abram's life God is strangely silent and quiet for the next 13 years. Maybe God is waiting on Abram to die completely to self and to realize the sin of taking matters into his own hands.
Waiting on God does not mean inactivity. But it does mean not trying to do what only God can do.
What is God doing in your life today? Is He quiet? Does He seem to delay? Wait patiently for Him and place your trust and complete confidence in whatever He has promised. He will act right on time.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
A Bad Choice
"Now there was a famine in the land. So Abram went down to Egypt to sojourn there, for the famine was severe in the land." (Gen. 12:10)
What is missing in this text is an instruction from God to go to Egypt. Abram took it upon himself to solve a problem he was facing, that of hunger. This is the man who had left everything to blindly follow God, and yet now when confronted with a test, he acts in the flesh.
We are free to make our choices. Everyday we are confronted with choices that test our Christian faith and character. But while we are free to make our choices, we are not free to determine the consequences of those choices. Abram and Sarai determine to lie when they arrive in Egypt, and at the very least it destroys their opportunity to witness to Pharaoh. In fact, this ungodly ruler of Egypt acts with more integrity than our couple of faith.
Later, when they go back to the place God had led them, Abram and his nephew Lot divide and go two directions because of their large resources of livestock and the need for abundant grazing land. Abram gives Lot a choice, and Lot pitches his tent toward Sodom. Sodom reminds Lot of Egypt, and the compromise of Abram now becomes the compromise of Lot, and soon it would have disastrous consequences in his life. Lot would eventually move into Sodom and become a leader in that wicked community. When God destroys Sodom, Lot escapes because of the prayers of his uncle, but he loses his wife in the process. And the day before he was willing to give his daughters to immoral people.
Be aware that every choice has a consequence. It is important that we trust in God with all of our hearts and make the right choices.
What is missing in this text is an instruction from God to go to Egypt. Abram took it upon himself to solve a problem he was facing, that of hunger. This is the man who had left everything to blindly follow God, and yet now when confronted with a test, he acts in the flesh.
We are free to make our choices. Everyday we are confronted with choices that test our Christian faith and character. But while we are free to make our choices, we are not free to determine the consequences of those choices. Abram and Sarai determine to lie when they arrive in Egypt, and at the very least it destroys their opportunity to witness to Pharaoh. In fact, this ungodly ruler of Egypt acts with more integrity than our couple of faith.
Later, when they go back to the place God had led them, Abram and his nephew Lot divide and go two directions because of their large resources of livestock and the need for abundant grazing land. Abram gives Lot a choice, and Lot pitches his tent toward Sodom. Sodom reminds Lot of Egypt, and the compromise of Abram now becomes the compromise of Lot, and soon it would have disastrous consequences in his life. Lot would eventually move into Sodom and become a leader in that wicked community. When God destroys Sodom, Lot escapes because of the prayers of his uncle, but he loses his wife in the process. And the day before he was willing to give his daughters to immoral people.
Be aware that every choice has a consequence. It is important that we trust in God with all of our hearts and make the right choices.
Monday, September 28, 2009
God's Call
"Now the Lord said to Abram, 'Go from your country and your kindred and your father's house to the land that I will show you." (Gen. 12:1)
When God called Abram to follow Him, He did not provide much information. He doesn't tell Him where He is going, or much about what He will do. God does promise to bless Him and make Him a blessing to the nations of the earth. But that is about it. The remarkable thing is that Abram responds the way he does. "So Abram went, as the Lord had told him." (Gen. 12:4).
Consider how much time we spend arguing with God. "Where are we going Lord? What are we going to do when we get there? Tell me your plan and I will get back to You on whether I want to do it or not?" And yet the call of Jesus on our lives is simply, "Come follow me." We can struggle with the decision of obedience everyday, or we can surrender fully once and for all. The first option creates a great deal of turmoil in our lives, and the second brings peace and joy.
This week we are going to focus on the life of Abraham, formerly Abram, until God changes his name. What's in a Name? Consider how often God changes a person's name as He changes the person's life. God is all about transformation. When you say "yes" to God, He sets in motion a lifetime of transformation as He recreates you in the image of His Son. It is the restoration of what was lost when sin came into the world.
God is about so much more than simply saving your soul from an eternity in hell. He is all about transforming you for His incredible glory.
When God called Abram to follow Him, He did not provide much information. He doesn't tell Him where He is going, or much about what He will do. God does promise to bless Him and make Him a blessing to the nations of the earth. But that is about it. The remarkable thing is that Abram responds the way he does. "So Abram went, as the Lord had told him." (Gen. 12:4).
Consider how much time we spend arguing with God. "Where are we going Lord? What are we going to do when we get there? Tell me your plan and I will get back to You on whether I want to do it or not?" And yet the call of Jesus on our lives is simply, "Come follow me." We can struggle with the decision of obedience everyday, or we can surrender fully once and for all. The first option creates a great deal of turmoil in our lives, and the second brings peace and joy.
This week we are going to focus on the life of Abraham, formerly Abram, until God changes his name. What's in a Name? Consider how often God changes a person's name as He changes the person's life. God is all about transformation. When you say "yes" to God, He sets in motion a lifetime of transformation as He recreates you in the image of His Son. It is the restoration of what was lost when sin came into the world.
God is about so much more than simply saving your soul from an eternity in hell. He is all about transforming you for His incredible glory.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Satan is Defeated
"And he said to them, 'I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven." (Luke 10:18)
It is popular to talk about spiritual warfare today, but it is unfortunate that there are many misconceptions. The other day I heard a man say, "Satan is almost as powerful as God." While he is more powerful than you and me as natural men and women, he is no match for God. Satan is a created being, a fallen angel. God cast him out of heaven by simply speaking a word. Christ defeated Satan's power hold over us at the cross, and one day will cast him into the lake of fire. Satan is neither omnipotent, omnipresent, or omniscient, as is God.
In fact, Job 1 teaches us that God is sovereign and that Satan cannot get to us without God's permission. So the real question when we encounter spiritual warfare is not what is Satan trying to do, but why is God allowing this in my life at this time. What is it that God is doing? We know that Satan tempts us in order to bring out the worst in us, but God allows us to be tested in order to refine us and bring out the best.
James reminds us to "Submit to God and then resist the devil." The verb tense is continual action. Literally, keep on submitting to God, keep on resisting the devil, and then he will flee. God has provided every Christian all that they need to overcome the enemy. Be strong in the Lord and the strength of His might.
It is popular to talk about spiritual warfare today, but it is unfortunate that there are many misconceptions. The other day I heard a man say, "Satan is almost as powerful as God." While he is more powerful than you and me as natural men and women, he is no match for God. Satan is a created being, a fallen angel. God cast him out of heaven by simply speaking a word. Christ defeated Satan's power hold over us at the cross, and one day will cast him into the lake of fire. Satan is neither omnipotent, omnipresent, or omniscient, as is God.
In fact, Job 1 teaches us that God is sovereign and that Satan cannot get to us without God's permission. So the real question when we encounter spiritual warfare is not what is Satan trying to do, but why is God allowing this in my life at this time. What is it that God is doing? We know that Satan tempts us in order to bring out the worst in us, but God allows us to be tested in order to refine us and bring out the best.
James reminds us to "Submit to God and then resist the devil." The verb tense is continual action. Literally, keep on submitting to God, keep on resisting the devil, and then he will flee. God has provided every Christian all that they need to overcome the enemy. Be strong in the Lord and the strength of His might.
Monday, September 7, 2009
The Power of Words
"With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God." (James 3:1-12)
How powerful is the nature of the words we speak. The writer of Proverbs said that it is so powerful that life and death are both in the power of the tongue. James says that the one who can control their speech is able to master every other aspect of life as well.
Consider that when you speak to someone, you have the opportunity to bring a blessing in their life for a day, and you have the ability to bring disaster. Think of the harm done by parents in careless words to their children. Think of the blessing of someone who has encouraged you along the way.
Today consider the encouragement of the scripture to be quick to hear and slow to speak. And then when you speak, consider the privilege of encouragement to another person and the blessing of praise to God. My mom used to say, "If you cannot say anything nice, don't say anything at all."
That is probably good advice.
How powerful is the nature of the words we speak. The writer of Proverbs said that it is so powerful that life and death are both in the power of the tongue. James says that the one who can control their speech is able to master every other aspect of life as well.
Consider that when you speak to someone, you have the opportunity to bring a blessing in their life for a day, and you have the ability to bring disaster. Think of the harm done by parents in careless words to their children. Think of the blessing of someone who has encouraged you along the way.
Today consider the encouragement of the scripture to be quick to hear and slow to speak. And then when you speak, consider the privilege of encouragement to another person and the blessing of praise to God. My mom used to say, "If you cannot say anything nice, don't say anything at all."
That is probably good advice.
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Good News for Bad Times
"...He is able to do exceeding abundantly beyond all that we might ask or think." (Eph. 3:20)
For many their Christian faith is reduced to platitudes and nice ways of thinking. But if you take your faith seriously and believe that the Word of God is absolutely true, God is described as a God who is able. What is He able to do? Actually, anything that He chooses to do. And Paul says to the Ephesians more than we are able to ask in prayer, and more than we can even imagine.
God provided for over a million of His people as they wandered in the wilderness for 40 years. They called in "manna" which literally means "what is it." But God provided for them daily, and only enough for each day so they would depend upon Him. God's economy is never in a recession. He is able to provide what we need daily, if we trust completely in Him.
Elijah, the prophet, in I Kings 17, was depending on God beside a brook where the ravens were feeding him. But the brook dried up. God took him to a widow lady who was down to her last bit of ingredients to prepare a meal for her son and herself. Elijah told her to feed him first, and she stepped out in faith. Because of her obedience, she discovered a never ending supply. God has not promised us everything we want, but when we fully surrender to Him in obedience, He has promised us everything that we need.
My hope is built on nothing less than..... How would you answer that? Is your hope in congress or the president? Is it in Republicans or democrats to save the economy? Is your hope in a 401 K plan that has decreased tremendously over the last months? Or is your hope in the God who is able to do exceeding abundantly beyond what you might ask or think?
For many their Christian faith is reduced to platitudes and nice ways of thinking. But if you take your faith seriously and believe that the Word of God is absolutely true, God is described as a God who is able. What is He able to do? Actually, anything that He chooses to do. And Paul says to the Ephesians more than we are able to ask in prayer, and more than we can even imagine.
God provided for over a million of His people as they wandered in the wilderness for 40 years. They called in "manna" which literally means "what is it." But God provided for them daily, and only enough for each day so they would depend upon Him. God's economy is never in a recession. He is able to provide what we need daily, if we trust completely in Him.
Elijah, the prophet, in I Kings 17, was depending on God beside a brook where the ravens were feeding him. But the brook dried up. God took him to a widow lady who was down to her last bit of ingredients to prepare a meal for her son and herself. Elijah told her to feed him first, and she stepped out in faith. Because of her obedience, she discovered a never ending supply. God has not promised us everything we want, but when we fully surrender to Him in obedience, He has promised us everything that we need.
My hope is built on nothing less than..... How would you answer that? Is your hope in congress or the president? Is it in Republicans or democrats to save the economy? Is your hope in a 401 K plan that has decreased tremendously over the last months? Or is your hope in the God who is able to do exceeding abundantly beyond what you might ask or think?
Friday, September 4, 2009
In the Belly of the Ship
"This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God."
(1 Cor. 4:1)
The church in Corinth was choosing sides over their favorite leader. One said, "I like Peter best, he was with Jesus." Another said, "I like Paul, he is a great church planter." And yet another said, "I prefer Apollos, he can really preach." So Paul writes to the church and says, all of us are simply servants and stewards. While he speaks in this case specifically of leaders, it is true of every Christian.
The word for "servant' here is unique. It was a word used to describe the person who was a slave in the belly of a Roman ship, rowing at the orders of a master. Paul says that we are simply "under-rowers" with Christ as our master. Our responsibility is to simply obey.
The word "steward" describes a person who does not own anything but manages the affairs of someone else. We are stewards of the "sacred secrets" of God that have been revealed through the ages, but are made clear in Jesus Christ.
So Paul says each one of us are given ministries from God that relate to communicating the truth of God through Jesus Christ to the people groups of the world. We are not compared to one another, but we are judged by God based on our faithfulness to obey Him. The question is, "have we done the very best we could with what God has given us to do and with the resources He has entrusted to us to do it?"
(1 Cor. 4:1)
The church in Corinth was choosing sides over their favorite leader. One said, "I like Peter best, he was with Jesus." Another said, "I like Paul, he is a great church planter." And yet another said, "I prefer Apollos, he can really preach." So Paul writes to the church and says, all of us are simply servants and stewards. While he speaks in this case specifically of leaders, it is true of every Christian.
The word for "servant' here is unique. It was a word used to describe the person who was a slave in the belly of a Roman ship, rowing at the orders of a master. Paul says that we are simply "under-rowers" with Christ as our master. Our responsibility is to simply obey.
The word "steward" describes a person who does not own anything but manages the affairs of someone else. We are stewards of the "sacred secrets" of God that have been revealed through the ages, but are made clear in Jesus Christ.
So Paul says each one of us are given ministries from God that relate to communicating the truth of God through Jesus Christ to the people groups of the world. We are not compared to one another, but we are judged by God based on our faithfulness to obey Him. The question is, "have we done the very best we could with what God has given us to do and with the resources He has entrusted to us to do it?"
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
The Shout of Faith
"...all the people shall shout with a great shout, and the wall of the city will fall down flat..." Joshua 6:5
In this story it is not the marching around the walls of Jericho that bring them down. It is not the "shout of faith" that brings down the walls. The walls come down because of the might and power of the living God. However, if the people had not shouted with a great shout, the walls of the city would not have fallen. It is an act of obedience. It is the exercise of faith in the promise of God.
God had not said, "I will give you the city", but "I have given you the city." Faith is always built on God's Word. His promises are certain. But most of them are conditioned upon the exercise of our faith. So true is this that the writer of Hebrews recorded this incident this way, "By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days."
What promises are important to your life today? What is going on that leads you to the Word of God and calls on you to exercise faith and thus to shout in victory? God cannot lie, and He loves you with a never failing love. His promises are certain. All of the inheritance of the Christian life is ours through Jesus Christ. Ephesians 1:3 says that He has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in Christ Jesus.
In this story it is not the marching around the walls of Jericho that bring them down. It is not the "shout of faith" that brings down the walls. The walls come down because of the might and power of the living God. However, if the people had not shouted with a great shout, the walls of the city would not have fallen. It is an act of obedience. It is the exercise of faith in the promise of God.
God had not said, "I will give you the city", but "I have given you the city." Faith is always built on God's Word. His promises are certain. But most of them are conditioned upon the exercise of our faith. So true is this that the writer of Hebrews recorded this incident this way, "By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days."
What promises are important to your life today? What is going on that leads you to the Word of God and calls on you to exercise faith and thus to shout in victory? God cannot lie, and He loves you with a never failing love. His promises are certain. All of the inheritance of the Christian life is ours through Jesus Christ. Ephesians 1:3 says that He has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in Christ Jesus.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Talk is Cheap
"This people honors me with their lips but their heart is far from me." (Matt. 15:8)
The incident that prompted these Words from Jesus was a concern by the Pharisees about men's tradition as opposed to God's desires. The disciples had not performed the ritualistic hand cleaning before eating. Jesus quotes the prophet Isaiah in this comment. He goes on to say, "in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men."
Stop for a moment and think about the reality of our worship. How often do we associate it with a place and a style of a service. In fact, too often we confuse the priorities of God. We substitute a worship service for worship in service. (Roman 12:1-2). How much of what we do is the traditions of men as opposed to what God desires.
When Saul acted very presumptuously to offer a sacrifice to God without a priest, the prophet delivered the message of God that obedience was more important than sacrifice. How often are we guilty of giving lip service to God instead of true worship? Isn't our ultimate act of worship found in obeying? I think so.
The incident that prompted these Words from Jesus was a concern by the Pharisees about men's tradition as opposed to God's desires. The disciples had not performed the ritualistic hand cleaning before eating. Jesus quotes the prophet Isaiah in this comment. He goes on to say, "in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men."
Stop for a moment and think about the reality of our worship. How often do we associate it with a place and a style of a service. In fact, too often we confuse the priorities of God. We substitute a worship service for worship in service. (Roman 12:1-2). How much of what we do is the traditions of men as opposed to what God desires.
When Saul acted very presumptuously to offer a sacrifice to God without a priest, the prophet delivered the message of God that obedience was more important than sacrifice. How often are we guilty of giving lip service to God instead of true worship? Isn't our ultimate act of worship found in obeying? I think so.
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