Gathering His Own
I will surely gather all of you, O Jacob; I will surely bring together the remnant of Israel. I will bring them together like sheep in a pen, like a flock in its pasture; the place will throng with people.
Micah 2:12 NIV
I think that God is on a mission. He has a desire that must supersede all other things in the world. God's plan has been in place since the beginning of time. Slowly but surely He directs, creates and orders lives for His purpose. God is doing all things in order to gather His people. Kind of like a sheepherder, moving His flock into the pen, the Lord is gathering his flock from the four corners of the earth, gathering His flock from the ages until all that belong to Him have been brought into the ‘Safe Place.’
We may wonder how long before God is finished with His work? We may think that evil has reached such an apex that surely God's return is imminent. But He is still gathering, still giving men and women the time and opportunity to repent. He is still giving us time to do His will in this world, telling others of Christ.
What would you think if I said that the Lord's mission and plan were to use everything to win others to Christ? Maybe the Lord uses your damaged reputation, your money, your children, your barrenness, your intellect, your successes and mistakes, your kindness, your very life to gather His sheep? Consider that the wounds of Christ were used to heal us of physical and spiritual disease (Isaiah 53:5). The wounds of Christ gathered (and they are still saving and gathering) multitudes to the Father. Maybe, the things we suffer, or even the things we are blessed with, are the sole property of God, and He has a right to use these things to gather His own? Maybe, the things we endure, no matter if they are fair or not, are like treasures in the Father's eyes because they accomplish the task of assembling, calling together all that belong to Him?
Friday, April 25, 2014
Friday, April 18, 2014
Judging God
Judging God
“You have said harsh things against me,” says the Lord. Malachi 3:13 NIV
I recently watched a movie named "God on Trial". It is a depiction of a group of Jewish prisoners in Auschwitz that decide to literally put God on trial. The charges raised against God were murder and breaking the covenant (contract) with the Jewish people. I told my wife that if there was such a person that could bring judgment toward God, it might be a Jew in Auschwitz or Warsaw during WWII. Ursula responded that, "On one hand, maybe they can judge God because of what they have endured, but on the other hand, how dare they." In the face of trouble we almost feel compelled to question or insult God in a quest to find answers for our suffering. But is it really fair (or safe) to judge God?
It may seem like a peculiar question, asking “Is God guilty?” While some are unwilling to admit it, I think the truth is that we have all pondered the question at one time or another. We wonder if the troubles we are in are a punishment for wrongdoing or if God is being a bully? We ask, “Why did God do this to me?” But, do you really think God would send His son to die for us, just so He can pick on us? If Jesus wasn’t immune to suffering, why should we? And do you really think that this life is supposed to be without affliction?
If you are ready to judge the Almighty from your limited vantage point, brace yourself. God may want to ask you the same questions He asked Job… Do you know where light lives? (Job 38:19) Does rain have a father? (Job 38:28) Who endowed the heart with wisdom and gave understanding to the mind? (Job 38:37) Perhaps you would rather discredit God’s justice in order to justify yourself? (Job 40:8) Maybe it is best to remember that the Lord watches over the way of the righteous (Psalm 1:6). All we can do, or maybe I should say that the best we can do is trust the Lord, because even in perilous times, He is our safe harbor and He is worthy of our trust.
“You have said harsh things against me,” says the Lord. Malachi 3:13 NIV
I recently watched a movie named "God on Trial". It is a depiction of a group of Jewish prisoners in Auschwitz that decide to literally put God on trial. The charges raised against God were murder and breaking the covenant (contract) with the Jewish people. I told my wife that if there was such a person that could bring judgment toward God, it might be a Jew in Auschwitz or Warsaw during WWII. Ursula responded that, "On one hand, maybe they can judge God because of what they have endured, but on the other hand, how dare they." In the face of trouble we almost feel compelled to question or insult God in a quest to find answers for our suffering. But is it really fair (or safe) to judge God?
It may seem like a peculiar question, asking “Is God guilty?” While some are unwilling to admit it, I think the truth is that we have all pondered the question at one time or another. We wonder if the troubles we are in are a punishment for wrongdoing or if God is being a bully? We ask, “Why did God do this to me?” But, do you really think God would send His son to die for us, just so He can pick on us? If Jesus wasn’t immune to suffering, why should we? And do you really think that this life is supposed to be without affliction?
If you are ready to judge the Almighty from your limited vantage point, brace yourself. God may want to ask you the same questions He asked Job… Do you know where light lives? (Job 38:19) Does rain have a father? (Job 38:28) Who endowed the heart with wisdom and gave understanding to the mind? (Job 38:37) Perhaps you would rather discredit God’s justice in order to justify yourself? (Job 40:8) Maybe it is best to remember that the Lord watches over the way of the righteous (Psalm 1:6). All we can do, or maybe I should say that the best we can do is trust the Lord, because even in perilous times, He is our safe harbor and He is worthy of our trust.
How to Lose Friends & Alienate People
How to Lose Friends & Alienate People
Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth? Galatians 4:16 NIV
Jesus commands us in Matthew 28:19-20 to tell others the truth of God and His son and when they believe, baptize them. He wants us to teach them God's ways so that they will obey God. And we should do all of this knowing that Christ will always be with us. Now, if you want to know how to lose friends and alienate people, keep Christ's command.
People will most certainly hate you for repeating the words of the Bible, for thinking like Christ and “God help you” if you live a little like him... who knows what might happen?
Life long friends may abandon you. Family may call you crazy. Neighbors may refer to you as, and I actually like this title, the “neighborhood Jesus Freak". And it has been my experience that even other Christian's will burn with anger and lash out because you told them the truth. But a time is coming when some people will even hand you over to be killed and they will think they are doing God a favor (John 16:2). And if you can believe it, all of this is normal for the followers of Christ.
Though you may lose a friend or your family, you will gain a new family in Christ. Anyone that does the will of God will gain new mothers, brothers and sisters. In Christ, you will gain a Heavenly Father that loves you enough to sacrifice His own son to save you. Though you may lose a few, you gain so much more in Christ.
Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth? Galatians 4:16 NIV
Jesus commands us in Matthew 28:19-20 to tell others the truth of God and His son and when they believe, baptize them. He wants us to teach them God's ways so that they will obey God. And we should do all of this knowing that Christ will always be with us. Now, if you want to know how to lose friends and alienate people, keep Christ's command.
People will most certainly hate you for repeating the words of the Bible, for thinking like Christ and “God help you” if you live a little like him... who knows what might happen?
Life long friends may abandon you. Family may call you crazy. Neighbors may refer to you as, and I actually like this title, the “neighborhood Jesus Freak". And it has been my experience that even other Christian's will burn with anger and lash out because you told them the truth. But a time is coming when some people will even hand you over to be killed and they will think they are doing God a favor (John 16:2). And if you can believe it, all of this is normal for the followers of Christ.
Though you may lose a friend or your family, you will gain a new family in Christ. Anyone that does the will of God will gain new mothers, brothers and sisters. In Christ, you will gain a Heavenly Father that loves you enough to sacrifice His own son to save you. Though you may lose a few, you gain so much more in Christ.
Friday, April 11, 2014
Lot in Life
Lot in Life
Then I realized that it is good and proper for a man to eat and drink and to find satisfaction in his toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given him - for this is his lot. Ecclesiastes 5:18 NIV
Have you ever noticed that people seem to be so very hungry for what they do not have? I really want to blame our culture for the sickness. We live in a culture that glorifies riches instead of integrity and stardom over moral fortitude. And it doesn't help when you can completely abandon any sense of responsibility and make a fortune in the process. Remember the person that placed a flimsy cup of hot coffee between her legs while driving? She burned herself, and then sued, and she won her lawsuit! I wonder if that scenario signaled an end to personal responsibility and primed the world to walk in complete selfishness?
Our society seems a good culprit for the loss of contentedness, but I don't think that is the case. I think that human-kind has always had a sense of restlessness about it. It started when Adam and Eve had been given the world (literally), but they longed for and grasped the one thing that did not belong to them. And today, we are the same. We look past the blessings of the Lord to get what we think is better. I wonder why we feel that God has shortchanged us?
I know this will sound ridiculous, but I think gratitude is an art. I don’t think it is something we are born with, I think it is learned. And, I need to recognize that what the Lord has given me is what HE HAS DECIDED is best for me. Maybe putting down what I have is a smack in God’s face? Maybe, never being satisfied with my lot in life is like asking God for the gift receipt so I can exchange His gift for what I really want?
I am not a rich man, but I am certainly not held down in poverty either. So maybe I should be satisfied that I eat well, work hard and that I know the Lord. If a person must work hard, then it is a gift to work. That is what the Lord has given. And if a person can get a better job or live richly, by all means enjoy it as that too is a gift of the Lord. But more than anything else, it is better to know the Lord and live well in whatever He has given. Isn’t that the lot of every man and woman under the sun?
Then I realized that it is good and proper for a man to eat and drink and to find satisfaction in his toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given him - for this is his lot. Ecclesiastes 5:18 NIV
Have you ever noticed that people seem to be so very hungry for what they do not have? I really want to blame our culture for the sickness. We live in a culture that glorifies riches instead of integrity and stardom over moral fortitude. And it doesn't help when you can completely abandon any sense of responsibility and make a fortune in the process. Remember the person that placed a flimsy cup of hot coffee between her legs while driving? She burned herself, and then sued, and she won her lawsuit! I wonder if that scenario signaled an end to personal responsibility and primed the world to walk in complete selfishness?
Our society seems a good culprit for the loss of contentedness, but I don't think that is the case. I think that human-kind has always had a sense of restlessness about it. It started when Adam and Eve had been given the world (literally), but they longed for and grasped the one thing that did not belong to them. And today, we are the same. We look past the blessings of the Lord to get what we think is better. I wonder why we feel that God has shortchanged us?
I know this will sound ridiculous, but I think gratitude is an art. I don’t think it is something we are born with, I think it is learned. And, I need to recognize that what the Lord has given me is what HE HAS DECIDED is best for me. Maybe putting down what I have is a smack in God’s face? Maybe, never being satisfied with my lot in life is like asking God for the gift receipt so I can exchange His gift for what I really want?
I am not a rich man, but I am certainly not held down in poverty either. So maybe I should be satisfied that I eat well, work hard and that I know the Lord. If a person must work hard, then it is a gift to work. That is what the Lord has given. And if a person can get a better job or live richly, by all means enjoy it as that too is a gift of the Lord. But more than anything else, it is better to know the Lord and live well in whatever He has given. Isn’t that the lot of every man and woman under the sun?
Friday, April 4, 2014
Don’t you even know me?
Don’t you even know me?
I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.
John 13:15 NIV
I was watching a movie where a grandfather asked his grandson about the fight he was in. He asked his grandson, “Can you forgive the person that gave you that shiner?” “No.” said the young boy. “He doesn’t deserve forgiveness.” Grandpa said, “No, I didn’t ask if he deserved forgiveness. I asked if you can you forgive him?”
It seems to me that forgiveness is not fair. People deserve payback for the evil they commit. They deserve to be held accountable. But the type of forgiveness Jesus calls us to moves beyond accountability. I think that Jesus is more so speaking to the inner workings of a person’s heart. I think that Jesus is asking us if we can turn the other cheek or walk the extra mile for the sake of the offender’s own salvation.
It seems to me that there are a lot of folks that call Jesus Lord, but they have no idea who the guy is. Jesus laid out an example for us to follow. He expects those that call him Lord, Savior and Friend to obey him. He expects us believers to “look” like him, to remind people of him by the way we live. And yet there are so many that won’t forgive an insult or a slap on the face. Christ’s example was that he forgave the guy that drove a couple spikes into his flesh. He forgave the guys who spit on him and pulled the hairs from his beard. He forgave the men that beat him into a bloody pulp. And we, the followers of Christ can’t forgive a bad word or a cross look. Jesus has to be wondering, “Don’t you even know me?”
I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.
John 13:15 NIV
I was watching a movie where a grandfather asked his grandson about the fight he was in. He asked his grandson, “Can you forgive the person that gave you that shiner?” “No.” said the young boy. “He doesn’t deserve forgiveness.” Grandpa said, “No, I didn’t ask if he deserved forgiveness. I asked if you can you forgive him?”
It seems to me that forgiveness is not fair. People deserve payback for the evil they commit. They deserve to be held accountable. But the type of forgiveness Jesus calls us to moves beyond accountability. I think that Jesus is more so speaking to the inner workings of a person’s heart. I think that Jesus is asking us if we can turn the other cheek or walk the extra mile for the sake of the offender’s own salvation.
It seems to me that there are a lot of folks that call Jesus Lord, but they have no idea who the guy is. Jesus laid out an example for us to follow. He expects those that call him Lord, Savior and Friend to obey him. He expects us believers to “look” like him, to remind people of him by the way we live. And yet there are so many that won’t forgive an insult or a slap on the face. Christ’s example was that he forgave the guy that drove a couple spikes into his flesh. He forgave the guys who spit on him and pulled the hairs from his beard. He forgave the men that beat him into a bloody pulp. And we, the followers of Christ can’t forgive a bad word or a cross look. Jesus has to be wondering, “Don’t you even know me?”
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