"In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ;" 1 Pet 1:6-7
There is not one among us who does not at one time or the other experience problems, difficulties, tragedies and loss. Issues come up in personal relationships, work situations, neighborhood interactions, finances and even misunderstandings among those with whom we worship. Speaking of worship, there may even be times that we are subjected to persecution because of our beliefs. None of us should be shocked by this. In fact this situations should actually encourage us and give us cause to rejoice.
Beloved, as Christians, we are called upon to be a different type of person with different beliefs, hopes, dreams, perspectives and certainly different responses to trials and difficulties. Our savior has taught us by his word and his example that life and reality are bigger than our current circumstances. There is an entire eternity before us against which many of the things we endure today diminish into triviality. We are sons and daughters of the living God! That must mean something to us and by extension, those who come into contact with us. We must look at these events, situations and circumstances as simply faith builders (our faith being more precious than pure and refined gold). Think about it this way: there is not a single situation out of which God has not delivered you or is not currently in the process of doing so. Not one. When he delivers us, our faith that he will do so the next time and the time after that and the time after that grows. We will eventually come to rely on him completely and begin to accept trials with joy, knowing that God has us now as He always has.
There is one more thing that helps us grow into this mindset and this truth: "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time" 1 Pet 1:3-5 (emphasis mine). We have every reason to be encouraged, even in the midst of the worse life has to offer.
Increasing in faith,
Lee
Friday, March 20, 2020
Friday, March 13, 2020
Don't Go Back to Egypt
"All the sons of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron; and the whole congregation said to them, 'Would that we had died in the land of Egypt! Or would that we had died in this wilderness! Why is the Lord bringing us into this land, to fall by the sword? Our wives and our little ones will become plunder; would it not be better for us to return to Egypt?' So they said to one another, 'Let us appoint a leader and return to Egypt.'” Numbers 14:2-4
It was on the receipt of a partially negative report about the land that God promised His chosen people that they rebelled. Just about 18-24 months had passed since they were delivered from 430 years of slavery, brought miraculously through the Red Sea, fed with bread from heaven and literally introduced to the God of their fathers. Yet because of the faithlessness of the representatives chosen to survey the land and their own fear and lack of trust, they expressed a desire to return to their slave masters and the condition under which they suffered for generations. They were even willing to stone the men through whom God effected their freedom, to go backward.
As we read and study these events some 3500 years later, we shake our heads and wonder why they could not see how immensely blessed they were. We are nearly exasperated at the shortness of their sight and the shallowness of their faith. We are amazed that they would willingly go back into certain death and be eternally lost over what we would consider a complete lack of perspective at minimum and relatively minor inconveniences at most. What could possibly have been wrong with those people? After all, they had seen the immense power of God first hand!
It is suggested beloved, that we not be quick to judge. How often do we long to visit the condition from which God brought us? None of us actually desire to re-enter the unsaved state that is Egypt, but there are times we do long for its comforts, familiarities and pleasures. Let's face it, if sin did not look good, feel good and taste good, few if any would be consumed by or interested in it. If Christianity was a simple walk in the park, everyone would be one. As the children of God, we must adopt the mindset of their Moses: "He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward. By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the king's anger; he persevered because he saw him who is invisible" Heb 11:25-27 (NIV).
In the face of doubt, fear and desire, Egypt can look attractive, but you are encouraged to never look back. God will not open the sea again for you to return. Instead, keep your eyes and your hope on the Promised Land. The way has already been made. We just need to be faithful enough to accept the good report and to cross over at the appointed time.
Increasing in faith,
Lee
It was on the receipt of a partially negative report about the land that God promised His chosen people that they rebelled. Just about 18-24 months had passed since they were delivered from 430 years of slavery, brought miraculously through the Red Sea, fed with bread from heaven and literally introduced to the God of their fathers. Yet because of the faithlessness of the representatives chosen to survey the land and their own fear and lack of trust, they expressed a desire to return to their slave masters and the condition under which they suffered for generations. They were even willing to stone the men through whom God effected their freedom, to go backward.
As we read and study these events some 3500 years later, we shake our heads and wonder why they could not see how immensely blessed they were. We are nearly exasperated at the shortness of their sight and the shallowness of their faith. We are amazed that they would willingly go back into certain death and be eternally lost over what we would consider a complete lack of perspective at minimum and relatively minor inconveniences at most. What could possibly have been wrong with those people? After all, they had seen the immense power of God first hand!
It is suggested beloved, that we not be quick to judge. How often do we long to visit the condition from which God brought us? None of us actually desire to re-enter the unsaved state that is Egypt, but there are times we do long for its comforts, familiarities and pleasures. Let's face it, if sin did not look good, feel good and taste good, few if any would be consumed by or interested in it. If Christianity was a simple walk in the park, everyone would be one. As the children of God, we must adopt the mindset of their Moses: "He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward. By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the king's anger; he persevered because he saw him who is invisible" Heb 11:25-27 (NIV).
In the face of doubt, fear and desire, Egypt can look attractive, but you are encouraged to never look back. God will not open the sea again for you to return. Instead, keep your eyes and your hope on the Promised Land. The way has already been made. We just need to be faithful enough to accept the good report and to cross over at the appointed time.
Increasing in faith,
Lee
Friday, March 6, 2020
Listen for the Cross-examination
"In a lawsuit the first to speak seems right, until someone comes forward and cross-examines." Proverbs 18:17 (NIV)
Imagine the conversation between Eve and the Serpent in the Garden of Eden. He was clearly very skilled in making the argument that the things God told her could be otherwise interpreted. In fact, he told her that she would "not surely die" if she partook of the forbidden fruit. One of the things that made his words so effective at introducing doubt was her own desire. We are told that the fruit appealed to Eve's eye, looked delicious for eating and according to the Serpent, had the additional benefit of giving her at least one attribute of God. She therefore ate and introduced disastrous consequences that all of humanity still experiences today. It is submitted for your consideration that we are predisposed to entertain assertions such as those offered by the Serpent because of our own desires. It is written that, "each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust" James 1:17.
Beloved, we ought to praise God for the advocate He has given us in Jesus (1 John 2:1). We can think of him not just as a lawyer who argues our case before God against the accusations of Satan, but one who has also already served our sentence and paid our debt, thereby releasing us from condemnation. You see Satan tried the same thing with Jesus that he did with Eve, however, he completely and utterly failed when the Lord refused him and answered him (cross-examined if you will) with the Word of God. He was unwilling to turn rocks into bread after a 40 day fast because it is the Word that sustains. He refused to throw himself toward the ground from dizzying heights to prove God would save him because he was unwilling to put God to the test. And he refused to accept the keys to the world from Satan for the "small" price of bowing down to him because he was only willing to worship God. Jesus knew better and did better because he sought the will of God and not his own.
Today there are many alternative views of what is good, bad, right and wrong. There are many who will tell you of different ways to achieve enlightenment, receive salvation, gain "heaven" and even reincarnate. To some these things are convincing as evidenced by the tremendous number of adherents to these different philosophies. Let us; however, wait for the cross-examination. There is more to know than what they say. May the Lord help us to overcome our own desires and seek His.
Increasing in faith,
Lee
Imagine the conversation between Eve and the Serpent in the Garden of Eden. He was clearly very skilled in making the argument that the things God told her could be otherwise interpreted. In fact, he told her that she would "not surely die" if she partook of the forbidden fruit. One of the things that made his words so effective at introducing doubt was her own desire. We are told that the fruit appealed to Eve's eye, looked delicious for eating and according to the Serpent, had the additional benefit of giving her at least one attribute of God. She therefore ate and introduced disastrous consequences that all of humanity still experiences today. It is submitted for your consideration that we are predisposed to entertain assertions such as those offered by the Serpent because of our own desires. It is written that, "each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust" James 1:17.
Beloved, we ought to praise God for the advocate He has given us in Jesus (1 John 2:1). We can think of him not just as a lawyer who argues our case before God against the accusations of Satan, but one who has also already served our sentence and paid our debt, thereby releasing us from condemnation. You see Satan tried the same thing with Jesus that he did with Eve, however, he completely and utterly failed when the Lord refused him and answered him (cross-examined if you will) with the Word of God. He was unwilling to turn rocks into bread after a 40 day fast because it is the Word that sustains. He refused to throw himself toward the ground from dizzying heights to prove God would save him because he was unwilling to put God to the test. And he refused to accept the keys to the world from Satan for the "small" price of bowing down to him because he was only willing to worship God. Jesus knew better and did better because he sought the will of God and not his own.
Today there are many alternative views of what is good, bad, right and wrong. There are many who will tell you of different ways to achieve enlightenment, receive salvation, gain "heaven" and even reincarnate. To some these things are convincing as evidenced by the tremendous number of adherents to these different philosophies. Let us; however, wait for the cross-examination. There is more to know than what they say. May the Lord help us to overcome our own desires and seek His.
Increasing in faith,
Lee
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