"Incline your ear and hear the words of the wise,
And apply your mind to my knowledge;
For it will be pleasant if you keep them within you,
That they may be ready on your lips." Proverbs 22:17-18
Think about all of the many influences on our thinking and how we interact with the world. We are constantly inundated by songs on the radio (or from our music collection), the opinions of pundits on the news, television shows, movies and across the back fence chat. Think harder about how much of that we seek and why we do so.
The book of Proverbs is primarily a collection of wise sayings written by Solomon to his son. In it, he both advises that he avail himself of the godly wisdom he shares and then conduct himself according to it. This is still great advice for us today. It was Jesus who said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God’” Matthew 4:4. This elevates the Word of God from interesting information to that which is necessary for life.
Beloved, it is important that we are aware of what goes on around us. It is ok to seek entertainment and participate in community activities. It is necessary that we communicate with each other and with our neighbors. The advice today, however, is that we make seeking the wisdom of God a priority in our lives. And we need to know that it is available just for the asking (James 1:5). If we would seek out wisdom and apply it, not only will our lives be enriched but we will then be in a position to pass it along to others who may be in need of it.
Committed,
Lee
Friday, August 16, 2013
Wednesday, August 14, 2013
A House Not Made With Hands 8/14/2013
"For we know that if the earthly tent which is our house is torn down, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For indeed in this house we groan, longing to be clothed with our dwelling from heaven," 2 Corinthians 5:1-2
It was God who instructed Moses to build a Tabernacle (or tent) which was to be His dwelling place among men. The instructions were very exact and included specifics regarding measurements, materials, design and contents. Naturally, the Tabernacle would suffer wear and tear due to movement and the natural deterioration of materials. Ultimately it was superseded by a lavish brick and mortar building with inner walls of gold. It was quite glorious to see. Even this, however, was merely a shadow of the heavenly dwelling place of God (Hebrews 8:5; 9:24).
Beloved, as God once established a dwelling place among men that was made by human hands, He now makes his dwelling place within our bodies. The apostle Paul rhetorically asked, "Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own?" 1 Corinthians 6:19. Being made with hands, though, it will eventually go the way of the old Tabernacle. Otherwise put, all of our physical bodies will one day die. The good news for Christians, however, is that as God occupies a permanent dwelling in heaven, so too shall our essential selves receive a new and permanent dwelling place; it will be a new body NOT made through the efforts of human flesh, but given to each of us by the very hand of our eternal Father.
It is natural for human beings to deteriorate bodily and to fear death. To this Paul said, "Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day" 2 Corinthians 4:16. He expressed both hope and joy when he said, "For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain," Philippians 1:21. Lastly, he revealed that it is a necessary part of the plan to obtain an eternity with the Father when he said, "Now I say this, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable" 1 Corinthians 15:50.
Let us now enjoy the life we have been given and do the work that has been set before us. Let us also look forward to the life to come and the new bodies that will allow us to experience eternity.
Committed,
Lee
It was God who instructed Moses to build a Tabernacle (or tent) which was to be His dwelling place among men. The instructions were very exact and included specifics regarding measurements, materials, design and contents. Naturally, the Tabernacle would suffer wear and tear due to movement and the natural deterioration of materials. Ultimately it was superseded by a lavish brick and mortar building with inner walls of gold. It was quite glorious to see. Even this, however, was merely a shadow of the heavenly dwelling place of God (Hebrews 8:5; 9:24).
Beloved, as God once established a dwelling place among men that was made by human hands, He now makes his dwelling place within our bodies. The apostle Paul rhetorically asked, "Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own?" 1 Corinthians 6:19. Being made with hands, though, it will eventually go the way of the old Tabernacle. Otherwise put, all of our physical bodies will one day die. The good news for Christians, however, is that as God occupies a permanent dwelling in heaven, so too shall our essential selves receive a new and permanent dwelling place; it will be a new body NOT made through the efforts of human flesh, but given to each of us by the very hand of our eternal Father.
It is natural for human beings to deteriorate bodily and to fear death. To this Paul said, "Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day" 2 Corinthians 4:16. He expressed both hope and joy when he said, "For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain," Philippians 1:21. Lastly, he revealed that it is a necessary part of the plan to obtain an eternity with the Father when he said, "Now I say this, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable" 1 Corinthians 15:50.
Let us now enjoy the life we have been given and do the work that has been set before us. Let us also look forward to the life to come and the new bodies that will allow us to experience eternity.
Committed,
Lee
Tuesday, August 13, 2013
Witness II 8/13/2013
"John bore witness of Him and cried out, saying, 'This was He of whom I said, He who comes after me is preferred before me, for He was before me.’” John 1:15 (NKJV)
Yesterday we discussed the power of witness. We approached it from the standpoint of how we today can accept and believe the reality of Christ. Accepting and believing, however, is short of the full intent of witness for us.
In Jesus day, particularly at his prosecution by the local religious leaders, many false witnesses were sought and obtained to testify against him. There was a strong desire to discredit him, defame him and ultimately, end his life. After all, he claimed to be the very son of God, even God in the flesh which was considered blasphemy by the religious elite. One wonders what their religion was all about if they rejected the prophesied Messiah. Nevertheless, there were problems with their witnesses. "Now the chief priests and all the council sought testimony against Jesus to put Him to death, but found none. For many bore false witness against Him, but their testimonies did not agree" Mark 14:55-56. Then as now, for witness to be credible, it must be consistent and found in the mouths of more than one.
Beloved, our witness is true because it comes from those who were there. Further, we can testify to the truth of our own experiences with the Lord. We are then called upon by him to share our witness with the world. What he told the apostles remains true for us today: "...but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.” Acts 1:8. We know that the false witnesses gathered by the Adversary are still active. Let us combat falsehood with truth. "Let the redeemed of the Lord say so" Psalm 107:2.
Committed,
Lee
Yesterday we discussed the power of witness. We approached it from the standpoint of how we today can accept and believe the reality of Christ. Accepting and believing, however, is short of the full intent of witness for us.
In Jesus day, particularly at his prosecution by the local religious leaders, many false witnesses were sought and obtained to testify against him. There was a strong desire to discredit him, defame him and ultimately, end his life. After all, he claimed to be the very son of God, even God in the flesh which was considered blasphemy by the religious elite. One wonders what their religion was all about if they rejected the prophesied Messiah. Nevertheless, there were problems with their witnesses. "Now the chief priests and all the council sought testimony against Jesus to put Him to death, but found none. For many bore false witness against Him, but their testimonies did not agree" Mark 14:55-56. Then as now, for witness to be credible, it must be consistent and found in the mouths of more than one.
Beloved, our witness is true because it comes from those who were there. Further, we can testify to the truth of our own experiences with the Lord. We are then called upon by him to share our witness with the world. What he told the apostles remains true for us today: "...but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.” Acts 1:8. We know that the false witnesses gathered by the Adversary are still active. Let us combat falsehood with truth. "Let the redeemed of the Lord say so" Psalm 107:2.
Committed,
Lee
Monday, August 12, 2013
The Power of Witness
"-what we have seen and heard we proclaim to you also, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ." 1 John 1:3
Against the charges of Christ merely apprearing to be a man by a group called the Docetists, John offers the proof of witness to refute their falsehood. He offers, both in the Gospel of John as well as 1 John, the fact that he had heard, seen, watched attentively and touched the very Son of God and that he was not the only one to do so.
Then as now, matters are settled on the testimony of witnesses. It should be understood that there was a high threshold in official matters. Matthew 18:16 reveals that an acceptable burden of proof is established in the mouths of two or three witness. The humanity and diety of Christ was proven through the witness by God, the Holy Spirit and John the Baptist at his baptism, by Jesus himself and by the more than 500 to whom he appeared after his ressurection.
Beloved, today we do not have the pleasure or privilege of experiencing the physical Jesus as those did who lived 2000 years ago but we believe by faith. That faith was made possible through the mouths of those who did experience him. This should not be as foreign a concept as some would make it out to be. The same individuals who will not accept Christ because they cannot see or touch him today will accept as fact the words of witnesses in legal, legislative, news and even gossip matters. They should know that they are not the first to take this position. The apostle Thomas refused to accept the witness of his peers and brothers in the faith, declaring that he would have to see for himself. As it would happen, Jesus showed up and said to Thomas, "Because you have seen Me, have you believed? Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believe” John 20:29. Those same witnesses and the Lord himself have said that he will one day likewise appear to us all.
Believe.
Committed,
Lee
Against the charges of Christ merely apprearing to be a man by a group called the Docetists, John offers the proof of witness to refute their falsehood. He offers, both in the Gospel of John as well as 1 John, the fact that he had heard, seen, watched attentively and touched the very Son of God and that he was not the only one to do so.
Then as now, matters are settled on the testimony of witnesses. It should be understood that there was a high threshold in official matters. Matthew 18:16 reveals that an acceptable burden of proof is established in the mouths of two or three witness. The humanity and diety of Christ was proven through the witness by God, the Holy Spirit and John the Baptist at his baptism, by Jesus himself and by the more than 500 to whom he appeared after his ressurection.
Beloved, today we do not have the pleasure or privilege of experiencing the physical Jesus as those did who lived 2000 years ago but we believe by faith. That faith was made possible through the mouths of those who did experience him. This should not be as foreign a concept as some would make it out to be. The same individuals who will not accept Christ because they cannot see or touch him today will accept as fact the words of witnesses in legal, legislative, news and even gossip matters. They should know that they are not the first to take this position. The apostle Thomas refused to accept the witness of his peers and brothers in the faith, declaring that he would have to see for himself. As it would happen, Jesus showed up and said to Thomas, "Because you have seen Me, have you believed? Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believe” John 20:29. Those same witnesses and the Lord himself have said that he will one day likewise appear to us all.
Believe.
Committed,
Lee
Wednesday, August 7, 2013
Role Model 8/7/2013 (rp)
"The one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as he walked." 1 John 2:6
Over the past couple of days I have been having a friendly conversation with an acquaintance about role models. He tends to give me a hard time about two of my favorite sports teams (the San Antonio Spurs and the Dallas Cowboys) and I do the same to him about the Lakers and the Rams. Recently one of the Cowboys was accused of an egregious act of violence against his own mother, to which my buddy offered, "That's some role model you've got there."
This put me in mind of all of the people to whom we look up. Athletes, entertainers, titans in business and other individuals of wealth, power, prestige and notoriety tend to grab and hold our attention prompting many of us to pursue their particular path. Why? Is it our desire to achieve what they have gained? What about the ways they made those gains? Perhaps you have heard of the very famous television contest (and its many clones and derivatives) that are designed to give talented individuals the opportunity to become role models as many of their own role models have done. A person can literally become an American idol. Having followed others are we that anxious to attract followers of our own?
Beloved, I tend to agree with the stance Charles Barkley took in a well crafted 2007 advertising campaign. He, as an athlete said, "I am not a role model." He goes on to say, "Because I can dunk a basketball does not mean I should raise your kids." While there are those in all walks of life who display admirable traits and accomplish laudable deeds, every human being is flawed and fallible. The one person who ever lived that is worthy of the ultimate role model status and label for EVERYONE is Jesus. And what is it to have a role model but to follow in his footsteps? If you are a Christian, by definition Jesus is your role model. And if he is your role model, you ought to, to the very best of your ability, do what he did.
Committed,
Lee
Over the past couple of days I have been having a friendly conversation with an acquaintance about role models. He tends to give me a hard time about two of my favorite sports teams (the San Antonio Spurs and the Dallas Cowboys) and I do the same to him about the Lakers and the Rams. Recently one of the Cowboys was accused of an egregious act of violence against his own mother, to which my buddy offered, "That's some role model you've got there."
This put me in mind of all of the people to whom we look up. Athletes, entertainers, titans in business and other individuals of wealth, power, prestige and notoriety tend to grab and hold our attention prompting many of us to pursue their particular path. Why? Is it our desire to achieve what they have gained? What about the ways they made those gains? Perhaps you have heard of the very famous television contest (and its many clones and derivatives) that are designed to give talented individuals the opportunity to become role models as many of their own role models have done. A person can literally become an American idol. Having followed others are we that anxious to attract followers of our own?
Beloved, I tend to agree with the stance Charles Barkley took in a well crafted 2007 advertising campaign. He, as an athlete said, "I am not a role model." He goes on to say, "Because I can dunk a basketball does not mean I should raise your kids." While there are those in all walks of life who display admirable traits and accomplish laudable deeds, every human being is flawed and fallible. The one person who ever lived that is worthy of the ultimate role model status and label for EVERYONE is Jesus. And what is it to have a role model but to follow in his footsteps? If you are a Christian, by definition Jesus is your role model. And if he is your role model, you ought to, to the very best of your ability, do what he did.
Committed,
Lee
Tuesday, August 6, 2013
Listen For the Cross Examination 8/6/2013
"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 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.
Committed,
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 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.
Committed,
Lee
Monday, August 5, 2013
The Message to the Messenger 8/5/2013
“'Son of man, I have appointed you a watchman to the house of Israel; whenever you hear a word from My mouth, warn them from Me. When I say to the wicked, ‘You will surely die,’ and you do not warn him or speak out to warn the wicked from his wicked way that he may live, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity, but his blood I will require at your hand.'" Ezekiel 3:17-18
Every now and then I run across a Bible passage that makes my blood run cold. Ezekiel 3:17-21 is just such an example. The prophet Ezekiel was being sent by God to the rebellious people of Israel to deliver a warning from Him. One of the reasons he was being sent was so that the people would know that a prophet, and by extension, God Himself was among them. In turn, the message he was sent to deliver was designed to warn the people to turn from their wicked ways and return to the previously established covenant relationship lest they die.
The message God gave Ezekiel to deliver was a critical one, however, before he was given a word to speak, God impressed upon him the importance of carrying out the assigned task. In short, He told his prophet that if anyone perished (due to their own iniquity) without him having delivered the assigned message, he would bear responsibility.
Beloved, the reason this passage caused a chill to run down my spine is due to the realization that we have been given the same charge and bear that same responsibility. Those of us who call upon the name of Jesus are the messengers of God. We are sent to all nations to bear witness to the love of the Lord and to deliver His message (Matthew 28:19-20). We are to fill our mouths with His word and warn the stubborn, obstinate and unrighteous about the dangers associated with pursuing their current course. We are charged with nothing less than attempting to literally save the lives of the lost. Our failure to speak up and speak out condemns to death the people we refuse to warn just as if we failed to take the keys from an inebriated person attempting to get behind the wheel of a car. It is not our fault that the person is drunk, but we would bear responsibility for refusing to intercede if that person tragically died or worse, caused the death of someone else. Chilling indeed.
Let us not view our Christian lives simply as "going to Church," attending bible studies, participating in pot luck dinners and fellowshipping with those of like faith. Let us instead act as fire marshals engaged in literal fire prevention and fire fighters engaged in literal rescue of those in danger of being lost in the fire.
Committed,
Lee
Every now and then I run across a Bible passage that makes my blood run cold. Ezekiel 3:17-21 is just such an example. The prophet Ezekiel was being sent by God to the rebellious people of Israel to deliver a warning from Him. One of the reasons he was being sent was so that the people would know that a prophet, and by extension, God Himself was among them. In turn, the message he was sent to deliver was designed to warn the people to turn from their wicked ways and return to the previously established covenant relationship lest they die.
The message God gave Ezekiel to deliver was a critical one, however, before he was given a word to speak, God impressed upon him the importance of carrying out the assigned task. In short, He told his prophet that if anyone perished (due to their own iniquity) without him having delivered the assigned message, he would bear responsibility.
Beloved, the reason this passage caused a chill to run down my spine is due to the realization that we have been given the same charge and bear that same responsibility. Those of us who call upon the name of Jesus are the messengers of God. We are sent to all nations to bear witness to the love of the Lord and to deliver His message (Matthew 28:19-20). We are to fill our mouths with His word and warn the stubborn, obstinate and unrighteous about the dangers associated with pursuing their current course. We are charged with nothing less than attempting to literally save the lives of the lost. Our failure to speak up and speak out condemns to death the people we refuse to warn just as if we failed to take the keys from an inebriated person attempting to get behind the wheel of a car. It is not our fault that the person is drunk, but we would bear responsibility for refusing to intercede if that person tragically died or worse, caused the death of someone else. Chilling indeed.
Let us not view our Christian lives simply as "going to Church," attending bible studies, participating in pot luck dinners and fellowshipping with those of like faith. Let us instead act as fire marshals engaged in literal fire prevention and fire fighters engaged in literal rescue of those in danger of being lost in the fire.
Committed,
Lee
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