"...that you may know the certainty concerning the things of which you were instructed." Acts 1:4
The author of the book of Luke, in a letter addressed to his very good friend and evident pupil, Theophilus, is also penning what has become known as the book of Acts to continue his education and ours. This letter traces the origin of the church for us, but for Luke's student, it was designed to be additional evidence concerning Divine truths. If additional evidence is being presented, it stands to reason that there has been primary evidence presented. This, in fact, was the book of Luke.
Beloved, we have all been given everything we need to become convinced of the reality of God, the facts of the gospel and the certainty of His promises. Despite this, it is human nature to experience doubt and to have questions. When we experience uncertainty, we are in good company. John the Baptist, the apostle Thomas and many of the other apostles and disciples all needed to have their faith strengthend.
To combat this, we have two great tools at our disposal. We first have the holy and divinely inspired scriptures. John famously wrote, "These things have I written to you that you may know that you have eternal life, even to you that believe on the name of the Son of God" 1 John 5:13. Secondly, we have our own life experiences. We can all look back on our lives and see where God is and has been there and the differences He has made.
Let us, like the most excellent Theophilus, be certain concerning the things of which we were instructed.
Loving Like Jesus,
Lee
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Friday, May 27, 2011
Say So!-DD 5/27/2011
"Oh give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, For His lovingkindness is everlasting. Let the redeemed of the Lord say so," Ps 107:1-2
In southern congregations there is a call and response where one person says, "God is good" and another says "All the time!" Then the caller says, "And all the time," to which the respondent replies, "God is good!"
Truly, God has been good to us all and that, all the time. No matter what our current condition, we experience His goodness in ways that we take so for granted, we don't even notice. An asthmatic knows not to take for granted the simple act of breathing freely. A person limited in their sight does not take for granted the rising of the sun. A truly hungry person savors every single morsel. Think about the buffet we toss out in the garbage.
Beloved, we are the children of God. We should spend every moment of our lives reveling in that fact. Our adoption into His family is the greatest thing that has happened to us. More, we should spend ample amounts of time telling others about His goodness and the availability of their own adoption. Think about how we joyfully share the news of relatively much lesser blessings like promotions, closing on homes or children's graduations.
We have been truly and wondrously blessed. To all who will listen, let the redeemed of the Lord say so!
Loving Like Jesus,
Lee
In southern congregations there is a call and response where one person says, "God is good" and another says "All the time!" Then the caller says, "And all the time," to which the respondent replies, "God is good!"
Truly, God has been good to us all and that, all the time. No matter what our current condition, we experience His goodness in ways that we take so for granted, we don't even notice. An asthmatic knows not to take for granted the simple act of breathing freely. A person limited in their sight does not take for granted the rising of the sun. A truly hungry person savors every single morsel. Think about the buffet we toss out in the garbage.
Beloved, we are the children of God. We should spend every moment of our lives reveling in that fact. Our adoption into His family is the greatest thing that has happened to us. More, we should spend ample amounts of time telling others about His goodness and the availability of their own adoption. Think about how we joyfully share the news of relatively much lesser blessings like promotions, closing on homes or children's graduations.
We have been truly and wondrously blessed. To all who will listen, let the redeemed of the Lord say so!
Loving Like Jesus,
Lee
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Preparation-DD 5/26/2011 (rp)
"Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord." 1 Cor 15:58
The preceding verses in this passage of scripture focus on our future. Paul shares with the Corinthians the fact of the promise as well as how it is to take place. He says that though we are fleshly creatures descended from the first fleshly man, Adam, we are also spiritual creatures descended from the first spiritual man, Jesus. We will not enter heaven in our current flesh, but will be changed in the twinkling of an eye. Whether we have passed from this life or are in the very midst of living it, death will have been defeated and the righteous shall live ever more with Him.
Beloved, the encouragement is to not get tired, to not faint and to not give up. We must be firm in our convictions, certain in our belief, dedicated in our service and convinced of the truth. There are many things that will challenge us, but we are to constantly redouble our efforts by doing the work of our Lord and keeping our minds occupied with him. Surely this is not a useless pursuit or waste of time, but preparation for what comes next.
Loving Like Jesus,
Lee
The preceding verses in this passage of scripture focus on our future. Paul shares with the Corinthians the fact of the promise as well as how it is to take place. He says that though we are fleshly creatures descended from the first fleshly man, Adam, we are also spiritual creatures descended from the first spiritual man, Jesus. We will not enter heaven in our current flesh, but will be changed in the twinkling of an eye. Whether we have passed from this life or are in the very midst of living it, death will have been defeated and the righteous shall live ever more with Him.
Beloved, the encouragement is to not get tired, to not faint and to not give up. We must be firm in our convictions, certain in our belief, dedicated in our service and convinced of the truth. There are many things that will challenge us, but we are to constantly redouble our efforts by doing the work of our Lord and keeping our minds occupied with him. Surely this is not a useless pursuit or waste of time, but preparation for what comes next.
Loving Like Jesus,
Lee
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
The Spirit of Adoption-5/25/2011
"For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, " Abba! Father!" The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ," Rom 8:15-17
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families reports that in fiscal year 2009, 114,562 children were waiting to be adopted in the United States. As you might guess, some of these children come from the most dire situations imaginable. All are in need of love, family, understanding and nurturing. For all intents and purposes, they need to be saved from their situations.
Their situation is analogous to ours outside of Christ. We are misguided and in need of things we cannot ourselves supply. We need someone to take us in, teach us right from wrong, good from bad and develop us into productive citizens of the kingdom.
I am pleased to say that many from our local congregation have followed God's great example and taken children in need into their homes and made them family. Wonderful organizations like Christian Family Services also exemplify God's great gift of benevolence and love through adoption services.
Beloved we who were once lost are now found. We who were once alone are members of God's family. As members, as children of the Almighty, as heirs, we have been given the right to call upon Him as "daddy" (Abba), the most intimate of addresses for our common Father. He cares for us and loves us so much. Let us rejoice in his kindness, even as those wonderful children do when they are made a part of an earthly family.
Loving Like Jesus,
Lee
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families reports that in fiscal year 2009, 114,562 children were waiting to be adopted in the United States. As you might guess, some of these children come from the most dire situations imaginable. All are in need of love, family, understanding and nurturing. For all intents and purposes, they need to be saved from their situations.
Their situation is analogous to ours outside of Christ. We are misguided and in need of things we cannot ourselves supply. We need someone to take us in, teach us right from wrong, good from bad and develop us into productive citizens of the kingdom.
I am pleased to say that many from our local congregation have followed God's great example and taken children in need into their homes and made them family. Wonderful organizations like Christian Family Services also exemplify God's great gift of benevolence and love through adoption services.
Beloved we who were once lost are now found. We who were once alone are members of God's family. As members, as children of the Almighty, as heirs, we have been given the right to call upon Him as "daddy" (Abba), the most intimate of addresses for our common Father. He cares for us and loves us so much. Let us rejoice in his kindness, even as those wonderful children do when they are made a part of an earthly family.
Loving Like Jesus,
Lee
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
A Gentle Reminder-DD 5/24/2011
"Therefore, I will always be ready to remind you of these things, even though you already know them, and have been established in the truth which is present with you. I consider it right, as long as I am in this earthly dwelling, to stir you up by way of reminder," 2 Peter 1:12-13
Peter had just espoused a number of virtues that lead one to the other. These involved diligence, faith, moral excellence, knowledge, self control, godliness, brotherly kindness and brotherly love. In that God has supplied us with everything pertaining to life and has made an eternity with Him available to us, Peter encourages us to be all that God has called us to be by constantly working on these virtues.
To be sure, when we came to know Christ and accepted him as our personal Lord and Savior, we were only too prepared to make the changes that would demonstrate obedience to him and love for him. We all wanted to be better people. As is this case with human nature, however, our attention span narrows, our enthusiasm wanes and our attention becomes diverted.
Beloved, anything done well is accomplished by constant focused attention. When it comes to something as important and permanent as our eternity, we cannot afford to take our eye off of the prize (Phil 3:13, 14). We must be consistent in our effort to live godly lives. But because we are human, we sometimes need reminders.
Let us be reminded through prayer. Constant communication with God (1 Thes 5:17) reminds us that He is and that we have a relationship with Him. Let us be reminded by His word. Consistent study of the scriptures adds to our knowledge and understanding (Prov 4:7). Let us be reminded by the regular assembling of ourselves to worship Him (Heb 10:25). It is through our coming together that we better understand that we are His people, brothers and sisters made so by a common Father. And finally, let us be reminded by telling others (Matt 28:19, 20). We tend to talk most about what we believe and live every day.
The Spirit has said that we already know these things. Let us endeavor to keep the word and will of God and their product, our salvation, top of mind.
Loving Like Jesus,
Lee
Peter had just espoused a number of virtues that lead one to the other. These involved diligence, faith, moral excellence, knowledge, self control, godliness, brotherly kindness and brotherly love. In that God has supplied us with everything pertaining to life and has made an eternity with Him available to us, Peter encourages us to be all that God has called us to be by constantly working on these virtues.
To be sure, when we came to know Christ and accepted him as our personal Lord and Savior, we were only too prepared to make the changes that would demonstrate obedience to him and love for him. We all wanted to be better people. As is this case with human nature, however, our attention span narrows, our enthusiasm wanes and our attention becomes diverted.
Beloved, anything done well is accomplished by constant focused attention. When it comes to something as important and permanent as our eternity, we cannot afford to take our eye off of the prize (Phil 3:13, 14). We must be consistent in our effort to live godly lives. But because we are human, we sometimes need reminders.
Let us be reminded through prayer. Constant communication with God (1 Thes 5:17) reminds us that He is and that we have a relationship with Him. Let us be reminded by His word. Consistent study of the scriptures adds to our knowledge and understanding (Prov 4:7). Let us be reminded by the regular assembling of ourselves to worship Him (Heb 10:25). It is through our coming together that we better understand that we are His people, brothers and sisters made so by a common Father. And finally, let us be reminded by telling others (Matt 28:19, 20). We tend to talk most about what we believe and live every day.
The Spirit has said that we already know these things. Let us endeavor to keep the word and will of God and their product, our salvation, top of mind.
Loving Like Jesus,
Lee
Monday, May 23, 2011
Truth-DD 5/23/2011
"Behold, now is "THE ACCEPTABLE TIME," behold, now is "THE DAY OF SALVATION" 2 Cor 6:2
This past weekend, the world was treated to a tempest in a teapot. Though more credit is given here by simply mentioning it than it really deserves, it is important that those who are current or potential believers know that there is truth to be obtained. That truth comes from the Source of all truth. The truth has been made known to us through the divinely inspired scriptures.
Beloved, there are many things for us to know. God has been generous in His provision of knowledge about Himself, His will and His expectations of us. He has assured us that those who are the called according to His purpose can look forward to an eternity with Him. NONE of us knows the exact timing but we can be 100% sure that the day will come.
That said, it is important that we be in a constant state of readiness for when that day arrives. The "acceptable time" is that which God saw fit to send his only begotten to the earth to carry out his mission of love and reconciliation. The "day of salvation" is every day between the resurrection and his second coming. Since we do not know the timing of the second event, we must diligently pursue the truth found in His word and live according to that which is found there. Not only will this prepare us, but it will shield us against false doctrine and those who would mislead based on their own version of truth.
Loving Like Jesus,
Lee
This past weekend, the world was treated to a tempest in a teapot. Though more credit is given here by simply mentioning it than it really deserves, it is important that those who are current or potential believers know that there is truth to be obtained. That truth comes from the Source of all truth. The truth has been made known to us through the divinely inspired scriptures.
Beloved, there are many things for us to know. God has been generous in His provision of knowledge about Himself, His will and His expectations of us. He has assured us that those who are the called according to His purpose can look forward to an eternity with Him. NONE of us knows the exact timing but we can be 100% sure that the day will come.
That said, it is important that we be in a constant state of readiness for when that day arrives. The "acceptable time" is that which God saw fit to send his only begotten to the earth to carry out his mission of love and reconciliation. The "day of salvation" is every day between the resurrection and his second coming. Since we do not know the timing of the second event, we must diligently pursue the truth found in His word and live according to that which is found there. Not only will this prepare us, but it will shield us against false doctrine and those who would mislead based on their own version of truth.
Loving Like Jesus,
Lee
Friday, May 20, 2011
God's Gift to Men-DD 5/20/2011
"Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her," Eph 5:25
Men, we have a great responsibility to God first and immediately thereafter, to our wives. We know that from the earliest man, there was woman given to be his wife. Not only was she formed by the Creator from the man's own body but she was presented to him by God himself, Gen 2:22. Why did God do this? The scripture reveals that He determined it was not good for man to be alone and that he needed help(2:18). What could anyone take from this except that God is wise, loving, compassionate and giving?
As with every corruption of God's design, marriage has devolved to, many times, a situation of temporary convenience. It has become as disposable as a used paper towel. We enter into the institution lightly and unadvisedly and we are quick to leave it at the earliest sign of difficulty. In so doing, we damage and sometimes outright destroy our families, we start or continue a pattern for our children's view on committment and contribute to the degredation of society. God never intended it to be this way. He intened us to be together for life.
Beloved brethren, wives are an amazing gift given to us by God Himself. With and through her, we have partnership, the ability to accomplish great things, wise counsel, the ability to be obedient to God, completeness and legacy. For this great gift, we must love, respect and give thanks to the Father. We can best accomplish this by honoring and cherishing our wives. We must be willing to prioritize her needs, support her at every turn, care for her as we care for ourselves and be willing to forgo some of our own desires for her sake.
Let us remember that Christ's relationship with the church, even with us as individuals, is the model for our marriages. We were brought together by Him. By placing God first, we can stay together through Him. We as men must immitate Christ's giving to and sacrifice for the church in our relationships with our wives. Remember, she is a gift.
Loving Like Jesus,
Lee
Men, we have a great responsibility to God first and immediately thereafter, to our wives. We know that from the earliest man, there was woman given to be his wife. Not only was she formed by the Creator from the man's own body but she was presented to him by God himself, Gen 2:22. Why did God do this? The scripture reveals that He determined it was not good for man to be alone and that he needed help(2:18). What could anyone take from this except that God is wise, loving, compassionate and giving?
As with every corruption of God's design, marriage has devolved to, many times, a situation of temporary convenience. It has become as disposable as a used paper towel. We enter into the institution lightly and unadvisedly and we are quick to leave it at the earliest sign of difficulty. In so doing, we damage and sometimes outright destroy our families, we start or continue a pattern for our children's view on committment and contribute to the degredation of society. God never intended it to be this way. He intened us to be together for life.
Beloved brethren, wives are an amazing gift given to us by God Himself. With and through her, we have partnership, the ability to accomplish great things, wise counsel, the ability to be obedient to God, completeness and legacy. For this great gift, we must love, respect and give thanks to the Father. We can best accomplish this by honoring and cherishing our wives. We must be willing to prioritize her needs, support her at every turn, care for her as we care for ourselves and be willing to forgo some of our own desires for her sake.
Let us remember that Christ's relationship with the church, even with us as individuals, is the model for our marriages. We were brought together by Him. By placing God first, we can stay together through Him. We as men must immitate Christ's giving to and sacrifice for the church in our relationships with our wives. Remember, she is a gift.
Loving Like Jesus,
Lee
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