"Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor. For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him up. Furthermore, if two lie down together they keep warm, but how can one be warm alone? And if one can overpower him who is alone, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart." Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
Today it seems that all of life is about the individual. It is all about what "I" think and how "I" express myself. People are going to greater and greater lengths to distinguish themselves from others. This neo-individualism manifests itself most tragically as selfishness. We can become so consumed with satisfying ourselves that we begin to do so at the expense of others. Adultery is an act of selfishness. Murder is an act of selfishness. Theft is an act of selfishness. And getting behind the wheel of a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs is an act of selfishness. The opposite of love is not hate, but selfishness.
Beloved, God's design for humanity is togetherness and selflessness. It was God who looked down on Adam and decided that he should not be alone. It was God who told Adam and Eve to populate the earth. It was God who gathered a people who would carry forth his message of reconciliation to Himself, to one another and to all peoples. It was the Lord who said that we should love God with all of ourselves and similarly, love others as we love ourselves. We have been taught that it is better to give to others than to receive from others and to prefer others over ourselves.
The fact is we need each other. None of us were designed or destined to be alone. We heard the good news of the Lord's love from someone who cared and as a result are called to share that same good news with someone else. The benefit is that we all benefit. If we would all strive to take care of others, we ourselves would be taken care of by others and we would cease to know need. More so than ever we must bind ourselves together in the love of the Lord that we might live out his will for our lives and accomplish his good.
Pursuing a transformed life,
Lee
Friday, December 27, 2019
Friday, December 13, 2019
The Treasure in Subtleties
"Commit your works to the Lord and your thoughts will be established." Proverbs 16:3 (NKJV)
There are subtle nuances in the words we read in today's bible. Most, however, escape us completely. The reason for this in large part is due to the fact that we are reading an English translation of another language. And though translators do the best they can to capture either word for word or thought for thought translation, depending on the version you use, there are times when meanings can only be approximated.
Consider how the above Scripture might be interpreted. Paul once said, "For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do, this I keep on doing," Romans 7:19 (NIV). We can all identify with this sentiment. We were raised to know right from wrong. Our bible teaches us the difference. The laws of the land are designed to communicate and enforce behaviors associated with society's definition of right and wrong. We still, however, find ourselves nudging our cars just over the speed limit. We still sin, sometimes willfully. And we still wonder why we do these things when we know better.
The word of the God says that if we just apply our minds to doing the things He has set before us to do, this will give us something good and beneficial to focus on, thus crowding out the desire to do otherwise. Done long and well enough, it becomes second nature and many unrighteous desires within us will simply fade away.
The word translated as "thoughts" can also be translated as "plans." Do you have a desire to be successful in any or all of your endeavors? How do you go about them? Is God a part of your plans? Did you seek Him out in prayer? Are the plans themselves godly? The word here also says that if you would focus on Him, align your will with His and submit to His commands, He will make your plans successful. How can you lose with God on your side?
Beloved, the subtleties dovetail in the most delightful ways. From this short verse alone, we can see the loving kindness of our benevolent God. We can see the purpose for which we were created. We can see solutions to our sin problems. We can see how to regulate our minds and gain focus. And we can see guarantees of success in whatever we purpose to do that is in keeping with His will. Just imagine the assurance that can be found in all of the other subtleties that exist in the Scriptures. We are barely scratching the surface.
Pursuing a transformed life,
Lee
There are subtle nuances in the words we read in today's bible. Most, however, escape us completely. The reason for this in large part is due to the fact that we are reading an English translation of another language. And though translators do the best they can to capture either word for word or thought for thought translation, depending on the version you use, there are times when meanings can only be approximated.
Consider how the above Scripture might be interpreted. Paul once said, "For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do, this I keep on doing," Romans 7:19 (NIV). We can all identify with this sentiment. We were raised to know right from wrong. Our bible teaches us the difference. The laws of the land are designed to communicate and enforce behaviors associated with society's definition of right and wrong. We still, however, find ourselves nudging our cars just over the speed limit. We still sin, sometimes willfully. And we still wonder why we do these things when we know better.
The word of the God says that if we just apply our minds to doing the things He has set before us to do, this will give us something good and beneficial to focus on, thus crowding out the desire to do otherwise. Done long and well enough, it becomes second nature and many unrighteous desires within us will simply fade away.
The word translated as "thoughts" can also be translated as "plans." Do you have a desire to be successful in any or all of your endeavors? How do you go about them? Is God a part of your plans? Did you seek Him out in prayer? Are the plans themselves godly? The word here also says that if you would focus on Him, align your will with His and submit to His commands, He will make your plans successful. How can you lose with God on your side?
Beloved, the subtleties dovetail in the most delightful ways. From this short verse alone, we can see the loving kindness of our benevolent God. We can see the purpose for which we were created. We can see solutions to our sin problems. We can see how to regulate our minds and gain focus. And we can see guarantees of success in whatever we purpose to do that is in keeping with His will. Just imagine the assurance that can be found in all of the other subtleties that exist in the Scriptures. We are barely scratching the surface.
Pursuing a transformed life,
Lee
Friday, December 6, 2019
Doing Right While Being Done Wrong
"But Jesus said to him, 'Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?' When those who were around Him saw what was going to happen, they said, 'Lord, shall we strike with the sword?' And one of them struck the slave of the high priest and cut off his right ear. But Jesus answered and said, 'Stop! No more of this.' And He touched his ear and healed him." Luke 22:48-51
Almost without fail, our natural reaction to being offended or wronged is to retaliate. It is practically an automatic response. The fact is that many parents, Christians among them, teach their children from the earliest age to hit back if someone hits them first, rather than to "turn the other cheek." This and other teaching helps establish how we handle conflict as adults.
This said, it is not suggested that we should refrain from teaching our children to avoid conflict and/or defend themselves nor that we should not do similarly. Offered for your consideration; however, is the example of Jesus. He was under near constant scrutiny, threat, persecution and intent to harm once he began his ministry in earnest. Despite this, he never deviated from his mission to seek and save you and me. Even as he was betrayed and accosted by soldiers with clubs and swords, he still advocated for peace and would see no one harmed despite what he faced. Among his last words on the cruel cross were, "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do."
Beloved, let us always think twice about how we react. Let us remember the Christianity that we claim, the God that we serve, the Son who saves us, and all of the thinking and behavior that goes with them. Let us also consider the relative smallness of the things that cause us injury or offense, yet how easily and quickly we respond. It is easy to talk the Christian talk but quite another thing to walk the Christian walk. And though we may suffer in the name of the Lord personally, great good can come of it. Peter wrote, "But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened" 1 Pet 4:14. He further states, "So then, those who suffer according to God's will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good" 1 Pet 4:19. This is what Jesus did. Let us do all we can to emulate his example.
In pursuit of a transformed life,
Lee
Almost without fail, our natural reaction to being offended or wronged is to retaliate. It is practically an automatic response. The fact is that many parents, Christians among them, teach their children from the earliest age to hit back if someone hits them first, rather than to "turn the other cheek." This and other teaching helps establish how we handle conflict as adults.
This said, it is not suggested that we should refrain from teaching our children to avoid conflict and/or defend themselves nor that we should not do similarly. Offered for your consideration; however, is the example of Jesus. He was under near constant scrutiny, threat, persecution and intent to harm once he began his ministry in earnest. Despite this, he never deviated from his mission to seek and save you and me. Even as he was betrayed and accosted by soldiers with clubs and swords, he still advocated for peace and would see no one harmed despite what he faced. Among his last words on the cruel cross were, "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do."
Beloved, let us always think twice about how we react. Let us remember the Christianity that we claim, the God that we serve, the Son who saves us, and all of the thinking and behavior that goes with them. Let us also consider the relative smallness of the things that cause us injury or offense, yet how easily and quickly we respond. It is easy to talk the Christian talk but quite another thing to walk the Christian walk. And though we may suffer in the name of the Lord personally, great good can come of it. Peter wrote, "But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened" 1 Pet 4:14. He further states, "So then, those who suffer according to God's will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good" 1 Pet 4:19. This is what Jesus did. Let us do all we can to emulate his example.
In pursuit of a transformed life,
Lee
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