I've made it through Isaiah in my Scripture reading this year. As I read, I noticed two broad stroke themes laced throughout the book. Number one, your idols are worse than worthless. Number two, I (the Lord God) will save you. I've needed to hear this message, because, like the children of Israel, I am good at worshiping (ordering my life around) things that are not God. And also because I cannot fix myself. No matter how hard I try, or how much I am able to change various behaviors, or even attitudes, my heart is still wicked. Praise God that He is able to restore what is broken!
O house of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the LORD. For you have rejected your people, the house of Jacob, because they are full of things from the east and of fortune-tellers like the Philistines, and they strike hands with the children of foreigners. Their land is filled with silver and gold, and there is no end to their treasures; their land is filled with horses, and there is no end to their chariots. Their land is filled with idols; they bow down to the work of their hands, to what their own fingers have made.
Isaiah 2:5-8
For I the LORD love justice; I hate robbery and wrong; I will faithfully give them their recompense, and I will make an everlasting covenant with them. Their offspring shall be known among the nations, and their descendants in the midst of the peoples; all who see them shall acknowledge them, that they are an offspring the LORD has blessed. I will greatly rejoice in the LORD; my soul shall exult in my God, for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation; he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself like a priest with a beautiful headdress, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. For as the earth brings forth its sprouts, and as a garden causes what is sown in it to sprout up, so the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise to sprout up before all the nations.
Isaiah 61:8-11
Thursday, July 31, 2014
Tuesday, July 29, 2014
Facets
There are SO MANY pictures in the Bible. God has chosen to reveal Himself to us in things we know and can understand. He is our Father (John 20:17), our King (Psalm 47:7). Christ is our Shepherd (John 10:11), a door (John 10:9), a rock (Psalm 18:31). We are grass (Psalm 103:15), dust (Psalm 103:14), mist (James 4:14). The kingdom of heaven is like a pearl (Matthew 13:45-46) or a mustard seed (Matthew 13:31).
Marriage is a picture of our union with Christ, but singleness highlights Christ's sufficiency in a way marriage never can. Here's the thing, God is too much GREATER than us for just one illustration to capture! Just like the facets of a gemstone catch the light to emphasize the beauty of the stone, the church, combining and reflecting the many illustrations God has provided emphasizes HIS glory!
Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands. Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, because we are members of his body. "Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh." This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.
Ephesians 5:22-33
To the unmarried and the widows I say that it is good for them to remain single as I am.
1 Corinthians 7:8
Only let each person lead the life that the Lord has assigned to him, and to which God has called him. This is my rule in all the churches.
1 Corinthians 7:17
Marriage is a picture of our union with Christ, but singleness highlights Christ's sufficiency in a way marriage never can. Here's the thing, God is too much GREATER than us for just one illustration to capture! Just like the facets of a gemstone catch the light to emphasize the beauty of the stone, the church, combining and reflecting the many illustrations God has provided emphasizes HIS glory!
Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands. Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, because we are members of his body. "Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh." This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.
Ephesians 5:22-33
To the unmarried and the widows I say that it is good for them to remain single as I am.
1 Corinthians 7:8
Only let each person lead the life that the Lord has assigned to him, and to which God has called him. This is my rule in all the churches.
1 Corinthians 7:17
Tuesday, July 22, 2014
Christmas in July-- Day 8
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the
Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made
through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In
him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the
darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. There was a man sent
from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness, to bear witness
about the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the
light, but came to bear witness about the light. The true light, which
enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and
the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. He came
to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did
receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become
children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the
flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh and
dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son
from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John bore witness about him,
and cried out, "This was he of whom I said, 'He who comes after me ranks
before me, because he was before me.'") And from his fullness we have
all received, grace upon grace. For the law was given through Moses;
grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God; the
only God, who is at the Father's side, he has made him known.
John 1:1-18
Questions:
1. What five things is Jesus called in this passage?
2. What four things does He do?
3. What do we receive?
In this passage Jesus is called 1a) the Word. The language here is probably intended to mirror the opening words of Genesis, "In the beginning, God...". This Word is a very particular word, He is 1b) God. He is fully God, but He is not to be confused with the Father. They are two distinct persons who share the same nature. Next we read that He is 1c) life. Because He IS life, He can GIVE life. This fact is highlighted throughout John's gospel. And He is 1d) light. I am a fan of light, so I particularly enjoy the word picture here. Fifth, He is 1e) the Son. In the first verse, John made the distinction between two of the persons of the Godhead, now he introduces them to us as Father and Son. These names tell us something about how God interacts with Himself in the trinity. It kind of makes my head hurt to think about this for long...
As with most introductions, we meet the character(s). However, characters can be pretty boring if they're not doing something! The first "doing" thing in our passage is that Jesus was involved in creation. He 2a) "made all things". Sit and ponder that for a moment. Scientifically, we know more about our world than ever before. We have machines that allow us to dive deeper in the ocean, magnify tiny particles to visibility, and travel the globe in days! When I think about the quantity and diversity and variety in creation, I am amazed! But He wasn't just involved in making all this. Next we see that 2b) "the light shines in the darkness". Think back through the drama of the first three chapters of Genesis. God created the entire universe with His words. He made people to reflect His image on the earth in worship. Then in chapter three, Adam and Eve sinned. They rebelled against the Good God who created them and provided their every need. Darkness fell in their souls. But the Light is not just shining down from heaven. 2c) And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. God the Son became a man. Again, my brain hurts when I think about this for very long. I think the last action in this passage is my favorite. Jesus 2d) makes the Father known. Because of Christ's work, I can KNOW God! I can KNOW the Holy Creator!
Finally, there are a few things that we receive. First, we receive 3a) the right to become children of God. We are adopted into His family. We have access to God as a Father! What a privilege! And we receive 3b) grace!
grace: Appropriately, the free unmerited love and favor of God, the spring and source of all the benefits men receive from him. ~Webster's 1828 Dictionary
The last answer here is basically the same as in number two. We receive 3c) knowledge of God because Jesus is making Him known. And really, what is knowing God if not grace? =)
John 1:1-18
Questions:
1. What five things is Jesus called in this passage?
2. What four things does He do?
3. What do we receive?
In this passage Jesus is called 1a) the Word. The language here is probably intended to mirror the opening words of Genesis, "In the beginning, God...". This Word is a very particular word, He is 1b) God. He is fully God, but He is not to be confused with the Father. They are two distinct persons who share the same nature. Next we read that He is 1c) life. Because He IS life, He can GIVE life. This fact is highlighted throughout John's gospel. And He is 1d) light. I am a fan of light, so I particularly enjoy the word picture here. Fifth, He is 1e) the Son. In the first verse, John made the distinction between two of the persons of the Godhead, now he introduces them to us as Father and Son. These names tell us something about how God interacts with Himself in the trinity. It kind of makes my head hurt to think about this for long...
As with most introductions, we meet the character(s). However, characters can be pretty boring if they're not doing something! The first "doing" thing in our passage is that Jesus was involved in creation. He 2a) "made all things". Sit and ponder that for a moment. Scientifically, we know more about our world than ever before. We have machines that allow us to dive deeper in the ocean, magnify tiny particles to visibility, and travel the globe in days! When I think about the quantity and diversity and variety in creation, I am amazed! But He wasn't just involved in making all this. Next we see that 2b) "the light shines in the darkness". Think back through the drama of the first three chapters of Genesis. God created the entire universe with His words. He made people to reflect His image on the earth in worship. Then in chapter three, Adam and Eve sinned. They rebelled against the Good God who created them and provided their every need. Darkness fell in their souls. But the Light is not just shining down from heaven. 2c) And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. God the Son became a man. Again, my brain hurts when I think about this for very long. I think the last action in this passage is my favorite. Jesus 2d) makes the Father known. Because of Christ's work, I can KNOW God! I can KNOW the Holy Creator!
Finally, there are a few things that we receive. First, we receive 3a) the right to become children of God. We are adopted into His family. We have access to God as a Father! What a privilege! And we receive 3b) grace!
grace: Appropriately, the free unmerited love and favor of God, the spring and source of all the benefits men receive from him. ~Webster's 1828 Dictionary
The last answer here is basically the same as in number two. We receive 3c) knowledge of God because Jesus is making Him known. And really, what is knowing God if not grace? =)
Monday, July 21, 2014
Christmas in July-- Day 7
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John bore witness about him, and cried out, "This was he of whom I said, 'He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.'") And from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father's side, he has made him known.
John 1:1-18
Questions:
1. What five things is Jesus called in this passage?
2. What four things does He do?
3. What do we receive?
John 1:1-18
Questions:
1. What five things is Jesus called in this passage?
2. What four things does He do?
3. What do we receive?
Wednesday, July 16, 2014
Christmas in July-- Day 6
There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch
from his roots shall bear fruit. And the Spirit of the LORD shall rest
upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel
and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD. And his
delight shall be in the fear of the LORD. He shall not judge by what his
eyes see, or decide disputes by what his ears hear, but with
righteousness he shall judge the poor, and decide with equity for the
meek of the earth; and he shall strike the earth with the rod of his
mouth, and with the breath of his lips he shall kill the wicked.
Righteousness shall be the belt of his waist, and faithfulness the belt
of his loins.
Isaiah 11:1-5
Questions:
1. Who was Jessee?
2. Who was David?
3. What did God promise David?
4. Who is this passage about?
5. What rests on him?
6. What is he doing in our passage?
7. Why is he doing this?
8. Why do His people not need to fear His judgment?
1) Jesse was David's father. You probably don't need me to tell you that 2) David was one of Israel's greatest kings. In 2 Samuel, when David decides that he wants to build God a house (temple), God turns it around and says that He will build David a house. God promises that David will have a descendant who will be king forever.
4) This passage in Isaiah is about Jesus. Immediately after we are told His earthly lineage, we are informed that 5) the Spirit of the LORD rests on Him. This is interesting because it implies that He ALWAYS has the Spirit. In the Old Testament, we read about the Spirit coming upon various characters, but it appears to be a temporary thing. For example, the Spirit "rushed" upon Samson in Judges.
After telling us about Jesus' lineage, and His character, Isaiah says that this man is 6) judging. He judges differently than we do. If I am selected as a juror, I have to see the evidence and listen to testimony, and then make a judgment. Jesus can see the intentions of the hearts of people, and it is on this basis that He judges. In our culture, judgment comes from elected or appointed officials, but in Isaiah's time, the king was the primary and ultimate judge. We know as New Covenant believers that Jesus is one person of the Triune God, therefore He is the King of kings. 7) It is because He is King that He is judging.
This last question was my favorite. Judgment is a scary thing. Especially as you begin to grasp the extent of your offense against a Holy God. And although we learn about Christ's character in the beginning of the passage, that is not a huge comfort when you realize that you are one of "the wicked". However, 8) because of Jesus' perfect life and death on my account, and because of God's goodness, I no longer have to fear His judgment. My sin was credited to, and paid for by Christ on the cross, and His holy life was credited to me. Because God is good, He will not charge twice for sin. I am secure in Christ! That's good news!
Isaiah 11:1-5
Questions:
1. Who was Jessee?
2. Who was David?
3. What did God promise David?
4. Who is this passage about?
5. What rests on him?
6. What is he doing in our passage?
7. Why is he doing this?
8. Why do His people not need to fear His judgment?
1) Jesse was David's father. You probably don't need me to tell you that 2) David was one of Israel's greatest kings. In 2 Samuel, when David decides that he wants to build God a house (temple), God turns it around and says that He will build David a house. God promises that David will have a descendant who will be king forever.
4) This passage in Isaiah is about Jesus. Immediately after we are told His earthly lineage, we are informed that 5) the Spirit of the LORD rests on Him. This is interesting because it implies that He ALWAYS has the Spirit. In the Old Testament, we read about the Spirit coming upon various characters, but it appears to be a temporary thing. For example, the Spirit "rushed" upon Samson in Judges.
After telling us about Jesus' lineage, and His character, Isaiah says that this man is 6) judging. He judges differently than we do. If I am selected as a juror, I have to see the evidence and listen to testimony, and then make a judgment. Jesus can see the intentions of the hearts of people, and it is on this basis that He judges. In our culture, judgment comes from elected or appointed officials, but in Isaiah's time, the king was the primary and ultimate judge. We know as New Covenant believers that Jesus is one person of the Triune God, therefore He is the King of kings. 7) It is because He is King that He is judging.
This last question was my favorite. Judgment is a scary thing. Especially as you begin to grasp the extent of your offense against a Holy God. And although we learn about Christ's character in the beginning of the passage, that is not a huge comfort when you realize that you are one of "the wicked". However, 8) because of Jesus' perfect life and death on my account, and because of God's goodness, I no longer have to fear His judgment. My sin was credited to, and paid for by Christ on the cross, and His holy life was credited to me. Because God is good, He will not charge twice for sin. I am secure in Christ! That's good news!
Tuesday, July 15, 2014
Christmas in July-- Day 5
There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit. And the Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD. And his delight shall be in the fear of the LORD. He shall not judge by what his eyes see, or decide disputes by what his ears hear, but with righteousness he shall judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth; and he shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he shall kill the wicked. Righteousness shall be the belt of his waist, and faithfulness the belt of his loins.
Isaiah 11:1-5
Questions:
1. Who was Jessee?
2. Who was David?
3. What did God promise David?
4. Who is this passage about?
5. What rests on him?
6. What is he doing in our passage?
7. Why is he doing this?
8. Why do His people not need to fear His judgment?
Isaiah 11:1-5
Questions:
1. Who was Jessee?
2. Who was David?
3. What did God promise David?
4. Who is this passage about?
5. What rests on him?
6. What is he doing in our passage?
7. Why is he doing this?
8. Why do His people not need to fear His judgment?
Monday, July 14, 2014
Every Page
The Jesus Storybook Bible says that "every story whispers His name". I love that approach to the Bible stories, because the characters are just plain old sinful people like you and me. But what about the portions of Scripture that are not "stories"? As I did my devotions today, I saw, once again, how every page whispers His name.
Everyone who is arrogant in heart is an abomination to the LORD; be assured, he will not go unpunished.
Proverbs 16:5
I've been convicted recently of my own arrogant heart. And I imagine that you are very much like me. We have a million reasons (excuses) for why our arrogance is ok, or why it's not REALLY arrogance. But we are. We are still grasping to become our own little sovereigns. And God promises that my arrogance will not go unpunished. Not a happy thought...
But you see, Christ took my punishment on the cross. And He took yours, too, if you've placed your trust in Him.
But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it-- the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.
Romans 3:21-26
As I continued reading, this verse soothed my soul.
By steadfast love and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for, and by the fear of the LORD one turns away from evil.
Proverbs 16:6
The wisdom literature is sometimes hard to read, and I don't know exactly what the human author had in mind when he penned this sentence. But as a believer after Christ's death and resurrection, this verse shouts of the steadfast love and faithfulness of the Savior by which MY INIQUITY is atoned for. Every page whispers His name. Every page. And sometimes it shouts! =)
Everyone who is arrogant in heart is an abomination to the LORD; be assured, he will not go unpunished.
Proverbs 16:5
I've been convicted recently of my own arrogant heart. And I imagine that you are very much like me. We have a million reasons (excuses) for why our arrogance is ok, or why it's not REALLY arrogance. But we are. We are still grasping to become our own little sovereigns. And God promises that my arrogance will not go unpunished. Not a happy thought...
But you see, Christ took my punishment on the cross. And He took yours, too, if you've placed your trust in Him.
But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it-- the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.
Romans 3:21-26
As I continued reading, this verse soothed my soul.
By steadfast love and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for, and by the fear of the LORD one turns away from evil.
Proverbs 16:6
The wisdom literature is sometimes hard to read, and I don't know exactly what the human author had in mind when he penned this sentence. But as a believer after Christ's death and resurrection, this verse shouts of the steadfast love and faithfulness of the Savior by which MY INIQUITY is atoned for. Every page whispers His name. Every page. And sometimes it shouts! =)
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