Last Sunday morning was chaos in my house. It seems like some level of chaos is the norm on Sunday mornings, but this time it reached a new high. Females have a strange habit of trying on several different outfits before they find the one that suits them, and we have four in the house. I had to advise on so many combinations that I lost count! Not to mention the numerous items I sifted through for myself. There were more clothes on the beds than in the closets by the time we left for church! We are just so fickle!
I was reminded of this as I thought through Psalm 106 this morning. In that Psalm, we have an abbreviated history of the Jewish nation. I was troubled as I read of God's faithfulness, and their repeated forgetfulness and rebellion. They would follow and praise God briefly, and then they would pursue something else. I felt like I was looking in a mirror. Except that they had less and knew less. I don't know when this Psalm was written, but when God delivered the Israelites from Egypt, they didn't have any written Scripture. And throughout the Old Testament they didn't have the Spirit dwelling in them. I have the entire Bible AND the Spirit. I am without excuse. But God...
Many times he delivered them, but they were rebellious in their purposes and were brought low through their iniquity. Nevertheless, he looked upon their distress, when he heard their cry. For their sake he remembered his covenant, and relented according to the abundance of his steadfast love.
Psalms 106:43-45
Before He created anything, God knew that we would sin and then be unable to keep His law. He knew we would be fickle in our following, even with the Bible and the Spirit. So Jesus came to be faithful in my place, and the place of all His people. And he paid for all my fickle unfaithfulness with His blameless life.
So Jesus again said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
John 10:7-11
Wednesday, June 24, 2015
Monday, June 8, 2015
Bridegroom
Tomorrow is my anniversary. My Shorty and I have been married for fourteen years. Today we are dropping the Crew off with my parents and leaving for an overnight stay near where we had our honeymoon. So I've been thinking about weddings. Every year for the last fourteen years, we have done something to celebrate our marriage. But not once in any of those years have we spent time talking about how great our best man was. He did his job as best man, and is still a dear friend, but the best man is not the focal point of a wedding or marriage.
I struggle with wanting to be the center of things. I want to be noticed and praised. And I have been convicted by John the Baptist's words "He must increase, but I must decrease." I'm cool with Jesus increasing as long as I get to increase too. Which is foolish, but there it is. I'm a narcissistic fool.
As I read through John last week, I noticed that part of the reason that John the Baptist was able to make such a profoundly abnormal statement to his disciples was because he had a proper understanding of who he was. He understood that he was a "friend of the bridegroom". He was the best man. The bride was not for him. The wedding was not about him.
And I was encouraged for ministry. Dear Christian, dear pastor or teacher, dear brother or sister, whatever your capacity in ministry (and if you are a believer, you are doing some kind of ministry) remember that you are the "best man". The bride (the church) is not for you. The kingdom is Christ's. The wedding is about him. Take joy in your Bridegroom.
Now a discussion arose between some of John's disciples and a Jew over purification. And they came to John and said to him, "Rabbi, he who was with you across the Jordan, to whom you bore witness--look, he is baptizing, and all are going to him." John answered, "A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven. You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, 'I am not the Christ, but I have been sent before him.' The one who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom's voice. Therefore this joy of mine is now complete. He must increase, but I must decrease."
John 3:25-30
I struggle with wanting to be the center of things. I want to be noticed and praised. And I have been convicted by John the Baptist's words "He must increase, but I must decrease." I'm cool with Jesus increasing as long as I get to increase too. Which is foolish, but there it is. I'm a narcissistic fool.
As I read through John last week, I noticed that part of the reason that John the Baptist was able to make such a profoundly abnormal statement to his disciples was because he had a proper understanding of who he was. He understood that he was a "friend of the bridegroom". He was the best man. The bride was not for him. The wedding was not about him.
And I was encouraged for ministry. Dear Christian, dear pastor or teacher, dear brother or sister, whatever your capacity in ministry (and if you are a believer, you are doing some kind of ministry) remember that you are the "best man". The bride (the church) is not for you. The kingdom is Christ's. The wedding is about him. Take joy in your Bridegroom.
Now a discussion arose between some of John's disciples and a Jew over purification. And they came to John and said to him, "Rabbi, he who was with you across the Jordan, to whom you bore witness--look, he is baptizing, and all are going to him." John answered, "A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven. You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, 'I am not the Christ, but I have been sent before him.' The one who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom's voice. Therefore this joy of mine is now complete. He must increase, but I must decrease."
John 3:25-30
Sunday, June 7, 2015
Darkness
Are you afraid of the dark? If you're more than ten, you'd probably answer no. By the time I was about ten, I told people that I wasn't afraid of the dark, I was just afraid of the stuff that could be HIDING in the dark. But isn't that really what fear of the dark is? Fear of the bogey man. Fear of sinister creatures or creepy crawlies. Fear of the unknown.
I recently began a Bible study in John. The first week delves into the prologue (John 1:1-18), in which we are introduced to Jesus as the Word, the life, and the light which shines into the darkness. And we are told that this Light has not been overcome by the darkness. I've been pondering this for several days. The implication is that the Light has not only not been overcome, but is actually OVERCOMING the darkness.
But as I thought about the darkness, I made some fresh observations. Always before when I read these verses, I thought of the "darkness" as the devil and his demons. There is certainly a sense in which this is true. Christ has shone into the kingdom of darkness, and He has defeated Satan. Another "darkness" into which Christ shines is the darkness of society. There are social issues and injustices, and the light of the gospel shines to improve and alleviate them. But this week, after a season of vicious wrestling with my sin, I was so encouraged to realize that Christ's light has shone, and continues to shine, into the darkness in MY HEART and that darkness HAS NOT OVERCOME. Not only has not, but WILL NOT! Christ will accomplish his purpose in my life for his glory. That is WONDERFUL news!
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.
John 1:1-5
I recently began a Bible study in John. The first week delves into the prologue (John 1:1-18), in which we are introduced to Jesus as the Word, the life, and the light which shines into the darkness. And we are told that this Light has not been overcome by the darkness. I've been pondering this for several days. The implication is that the Light has not only not been overcome, but is actually OVERCOMING the darkness.
But as I thought about the darkness, I made some fresh observations. Always before when I read these verses, I thought of the "darkness" as the devil and his demons. There is certainly a sense in which this is true. Christ has shone into the kingdom of darkness, and He has defeated Satan. Another "darkness" into which Christ shines is the darkness of society. There are social issues and injustices, and the light of the gospel shines to improve and alleviate them. But this week, after a season of vicious wrestling with my sin, I was so encouraged to realize that Christ's light has shone, and continues to shine, into the darkness in MY HEART and that darkness HAS NOT OVERCOME. Not only has not, but WILL NOT! Christ will accomplish his purpose in my life for his glory. That is WONDERFUL news!
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.
John 1:1-5
Thursday, April 30, 2015
Carried
I have always loved the "Footprints In The Sand" poem. It is such a comforting reminder that even when we feel alone in the trials of life, God is NEAR. He carries us.
In Exodus 28, God gives Moses instructions for making the high priestly garments. Twice in those garments, Aaron (and every high priest following him) are bearing or carrying the names of the tribes of Israel "before the Lord". It really jumped out at me earlier this year, and did so again today. The first "bearing" takes place on Aaron's shoulders. This encouraged me because the shoulders are a place of strength. The second "bearing" is over Aaron's heart. This also encouraged me because the heart represents affections.
I can't read about Aaron without thinking of Jesus. The New Testament writers tell us that Jesus is the Great High Priest. He is the one that Aaron and all his sons foreshadowed. So as I'm reading about Aaron bearing the names of the Israelites before the Lord, I'm thinking of Jesus bearing MY name before the Lord. Carrying me in the strength of His sacrifice for my sin. Carrying me in the affection of a lover for his bride. It's amazing!
And you shall set the two stones on the shoulder pieces of the ephod, as stones of remembrance for the sons of Israel. And Aaron shall bear their names before the LORD on his two shoulders for remembrance.
Exodus 28:12
So Aaron shall bear the names of the sons of Israel in the breastpiece of judgment on his heart, when he goes into the Holy Place, to bring them to regular remembrance before the LORD.
Exodus 28:29
For on the one hand, a former commandment is set aside because of its weakness and uselessness (for the law made nothing perfect); but on the other hand, a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God. And it was not without an oath. For those who formerly became priests were made such without an oath, but this one was made a priest with an oath by the one who said to him: "The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind, 'You are a priest forever.'" This makes Jesus the guarantor of a better covenant. The former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office, but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever. Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.
Hebrews 7:18-25
In Exodus 28, God gives Moses instructions for making the high priestly garments. Twice in those garments, Aaron (and every high priest following him) are bearing or carrying the names of the tribes of Israel "before the Lord". It really jumped out at me earlier this year, and did so again today. The first "bearing" takes place on Aaron's shoulders. This encouraged me because the shoulders are a place of strength. The second "bearing" is over Aaron's heart. This also encouraged me because the heart represents affections.
I can't read about Aaron without thinking of Jesus. The New Testament writers tell us that Jesus is the Great High Priest. He is the one that Aaron and all his sons foreshadowed. So as I'm reading about Aaron bearing the names of the Israelites before the Lord, I'm thinking of Jesus bearing MY name before the Lord. Carrying me in the strength of His sacrifice for my sin. Carrying me in the affection of a lover for his bride. It's amazing!
And you shall set the two stones on the shoulder pieces of the ephod, as stones of remembrance for the sons of Israel. And Aaron shall bear their names before the LORD on his two shoulders for remembrance.
Exodus 28:12
So Aaron shall bear the names of the sons of Israel in the breastpiece of judgment on his heart, when he goes into the Holy Place, to bring them to regular remembrance before the LORD.
Exodus 28:29
For on the one hand, a former commandment is set aside because of its weakness and uselessness (for the law made nothing perfect); but on the other hand, a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God. And it was not without an oath. For those who formerly became priests were made such without an oath, but this one was made a priest with an oath by the one who said to him: "The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind, 'You are a priest forever.'" This makes Jesus the guarantor of a better covenant. The former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office, but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever. Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.
Hebrews 7:18-25
Wednesday, April 29, 2015
Comfort Food
Warm chocolate chip cookies. Fresh cinnamon rolls. Biscuits and gravy. Chicken and dumplings. Meatballs and mashed potatoes. Apple pie. This kind of food is in a group that we affectionately refer to as "comfort food". It makes tastebuds sing, bellies feel warm and satisfied, and happy chemicals course through the bloodstream.
When I am stressed, I enjoy cooking and eating. And I've been stressed a lot over the past several months. I've tipped the scale ten pounds heavier since the beginning of the school year. But over recent weeks, I've begun to feel very convicted about how I'm feeding my body. (This IS NOT a "sugar and fat and carbs are evil" rant. I believe that sugar and carbs and fat are GOOD in moderation. ) The issue of my conviction is that I have been turning to food for comfort. And it's as if the Lord has been telling me, "You say you believe that I am your Comforter, but in the moment of testing you reach for the muffin. Your actions say that the muffin is greater than Me." I'd like to argue, but the truth of it resonates in my soul. I've trusted food for comfort, but all it has done is expand my waistline.
Dear Christian, what are you running to for comfort? If it is anything other than our Good God, repent and BELIEVE that He is the God of all comfort.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves have been comforted by God. For if we share abundantly in Christ's sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too.
2 Corinthians 1:3-5
When I am stressed, I enjoy cooking and eating. And I've been stressed a lot over the past several months. I've tipped the scale ten pounds heavier since the beginning of the school year. But over recent weeks, I've begun to feel very convicted about how I'm feeding my body. (This IS NOT a "sugar and fat and carbs are evil" rant. I believe that sugar and carbs and fat are GOOD in moderation. ) The issue of my conviction is that I have been turning to food for comfort. And it's as if the Lord has been telling me, "You say you believe that I am your Comforter, but in the moment of testing you reach for the muffin. Your actions say that the muffin is greater than Me." I'd like to argue, but the truth of it resonates in my soul. I've trusted food for comfort, but all it has done is expand my waistline.
Dear Christian, what are you running to for comfort? If it is anything other than our Good God, repent and BELIEVE that He is the God of all comfort.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves have been comforted by God. For if we share abundantly in Christ's sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too.
2 Corinthians 1:3-5
Tuesday, April 28, 2015
Kneel Down
There are two ways to get on a child's level and interact. If you are a parent, (and maybe even if you're not) you've probably done both regularly. The first is to lift them up and carry them. In fact, this is primary for the first year or so of life. Then, as the child grows, you begin to employ the second. You kneel down so that you can look one another in the eye as you speak. I've both seen and been that tender picture many times. I think it is so beautiful because it expresses the child's dignity as a person. And it displays the great love of the parent toward the child. So as I read in Exodus this morning, that is the image seared in my mind.
God gave Moses VERY detailed instructions for building the tabernacle. It was to be built EXACTLY according to the pattern God showed him. The tabernacle was God's dwelling among the Israelites. As you read the pattern, you get the image of a stacked structure. The bases for the courtyard are bronze and their tops are silver. Then in the tabernacle proper, the bases are silver and their tops are gold. Except at the entrance. The bases of the entrance are BRONZE! It's as if, in the building, God is kneeling down to meet with them. Then we learn in the New Testament that the greatest expression of God kneeling down to us came when Christ became a man. He lived as one of us. He died for us. And He lives!
You shall make a screen for the entrance of the tent, of blue and purple and scarlet yarns and fine twined linen, embroidered with needlework. And you shall make for the screen five pillars of acacia, and overlay them with gold. Their hooks shall be of gold, and you shall cast five bases of bronze for them.
Exodus 26:36-37
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 1:14
God gave Moses VERY detailed instructions for building the tabernacle. It was to be built EXACTLY according to the pattern God showed him. The tabernacle was God's dwelling among the Israelites. As you read the pattern, you get the image of a stacked structure. The bases for the courtyard are bronze and their tops are silver. Then in the tabernacle proper, the bases are silver and their tops are gold. Except at the entrance. The bases of the entrance are BRONZE! It's as if, in the building, God is kneeling down to meet with them. Then we learn in the New Testament that the greatest expression of God kneeling down to us came when Christ became a man. He lived as one of us. He died for us. And He lives!
You shall make a screen for the entrance of the tent, of blue and purple and scarlet yarns and fine twined linen, embroidered with needlework. And you shall make for the screen five pillars of acacia, and overlay them with gold. Their hooks shall be of gold, and you shall cast five bases of bronze for them.
Exodus 26:36-37
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 1:14
Monday, April 27, 2015
Light of the World
Last weekend, our electric transformer popped. I had just finished cooking our dinner. (Small blessings.) So I lit our two scented candles and two oil lamps and we ate by candlelight. Instead of our normal movie night, we played a board game. But I quickly became frustrated because between the dim light and my aging eyes, it was quite difficult for me to play. In fact, when the electricity came on a couple hours later, I felt like I was seeing the game board for the first time! And I was reminded of Jesus's declaration that He is the light of the world.
Light is such a huge thing. It is absolutely necessary for us to be able to see. It causes plants, and therefore food, to grow. It provides warmth to varying degrees. And it triggers hormones in our bodies that make us feel happy.
And Jesus says I am the light. I'll cause you to see.
I am the light. I'll sustain you, and provide for you.
I am the light. I'll give you warmth.
I am the light. I'll make you happier than you can even imagine.
Again Jesus spoke to them saying, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."
John 8:12
Light is such a huge thing. It is absolutely necessary for us to be able to see. It causes plants, and therefore food, to grow. It provides warmth to varying degrees. And it triggers hormones in our bodies that make us feel happy.
And Jesus says I am the light. I'll cause you to see.
I am the light. I'll sustain you, and provide for you.
I am the light. I'll give you warmth.
I am the light. I'll make you happier than you can even imagine.
Again Jesus spoke to them saying, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."
John 8:12
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