A guy named Matthew recorded what are perhaps Jesus’ most profound and challenging words. It’s often called the Beatitudes, and in one part Jesus is explaining to us that “even pagans can love those who love them back.”
Isn’t that the truth? Sometimes I encounter someone who is, well, let me use one guy’s own words, “People either love me or hate me. And nobody loves me.” I actually like the guy but I’ve met others who I just could not find any aspect that allowed me to appreciate who they were.
Because God does so with us, we too are to love those who simply are not loveable.
What sometimes happens, if we’re lucky, is we find someone who is difficult to love, and WHEN we see or hear something that we like, we move toward civility. And then we pat ourselves on the back. “Wow,” we commend ourselves. “That is such a difficult person. I don’t know anyone who likes her, yet I can be kind to her. I’m a pretty good person.”
Truth is, you don’t need God, or faith to do that. You don’t even need to be a decent human being to do that. When people do what we want or say, or when they look or sound how we want, well, even a pagan can love someone like that.
We are to love as God loves. God loves His enemies. God loves those who hate Him. God loves those who try to convince others that He doesn’t exist.
God does not love us because of who we are.
God loves us because of who He is.
God is love.
The reality is, loving our enemies, doing good to those who persecute us, praying for the good of those who persecute us is a supernatural gift. It is not something that we can do on our own. Yet without this kind of love taking place our world, our civilization is doomed.
Doing what’s normal is not good enough.
Showing posts with label God. Show all posts
Showing posts with label God. Show all posts
Monday, January 25, 2010
Saturday, January 16, 2010
“The Lord does not look at things as we do. We judge by outward appearance. The Lord looks at the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7
For those who know the surface Rod, I’m a good man. Good for the community. Caring and compassionate. Giving of myself, my time, my money.
When forced to stand in the bright light of God’s goodness, I much more resemble a predator - dangerous, treacherous and shockingly cruel.
For those who know the surface Rod, I’m a good man. Good for the community. Caring and compassionate. Giving of myself, my time, my money.
When forced to stand in the bright light of God’s goodness, I much more resemble a predator - dangerous, treacherous and shockingly cruel.
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Do you long for righteousness?
"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” Matthew 5:6
Do you remember when you first fell in love? You wanted to be with that person. You wanted to talk to that person. Your thoughts were nearly always about that person.
That’s what it’s like to hunger and thirst for righteousness. Once you’ve tasted the goodness of God, once you’ve experienced the righteousness of God and the consequences of a righteous life, it’s like falling in love.
When we’re in love with righteousness our desires begin to line up with God’s desires. His purpose and plans for us begin to match our longings. Our decisions are cross-checked through what we know of God’s desires for us. Our love for others begins to mirror His love for us. When this happens, we are fortunate, favoured, blessed.
The more we know and experience the love of God, the more we crave and hunger for His righteousness. The more we witness the tragedy of the world, the more we hunger and thirst for righteousness.
Love the Lord your God with all your mind, heart, soul and strength.
When we are poor in spirit, or mourning, when we are meek and when we hunger and thirst for righteousness, we are indeed blessed.
“Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it your may grow up in your salvation.” 1st Peter 2:2
Do you remember when you first fell in love? You wanted to be with that person. You wanted to talk to that person. Your thoughts were nearly always about that person.
That’s what it’s like to hunger and thirst for righteousness. Once you’ve tasted the goodness of God, once you’ve experienced the righteousness of God and the consequences of a righteous life, it’s like falling in love.
When we’re in love with righteousness our desires begin to line up with God’s desires. His purpose and plans for us begin to match our longings. Our decisions are cross-checked through what we know of God’s desires for us. Our love for others begins to mirror His love for us. When this happens, we are fortunate, favoured, blessed.
The more we know and experience the love of God, the more we crave and hunger for His righteousness. The more we witness the tragedy of the world, the more we hunger and thirst for righteousness.
Love the Lord your God with all your mind, heart, soul and strength.
When we are poor in spirit, or mourning, when we are meek and when we hunger and thirst for righteousness, we are indeed blessed.
“Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it your may grow up in your salvation.” 1st Peter 2:2
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Blessed Are Those Who Mourn
I think it was C. S. Lewis who said, “It’s better to limp along the right road than to race along the wrong road.”
Jesus said, “Blessed (happy, favoured, fortunate) are those who mourn for they will be comforted.” Matthew 5:4.
I remind any and all of the people with whom I work that there is not a single pew in our congregation that is not filled with those who are struggling. A marriage has or is ending. A child is making self-destructive choices. A loved one has died. An addiction is reaching the point where it can’t be hidden any more. There are many, many reasons to mourn. Life is filled to the brim with opportunities to grieve, to mourn and to be comforted.
When our child died, for two weeks we were hardly ever alone. From about an hour after breakfast to about an hour before we turned in for the night, we were in the presence of friends. To this day, I don’t know if it was organised. It must have been, for as one friend got up to leave, another would appear. It wasn’t intrusive. Many times we went on with what needed to be done while they were simply there; talking to the other kids or reading a magazine at the kitchen table. On a couple occasions we’d say good bye to a friend and as I walked past the kitchen window, another friend was sitting down on the deck with a book. If I hadn’t greeted them, I suspect that not a word would have been said. They were just - there. For two weeks, comforters were present. It brings tears to my eyes right now just remembering the goodness and the mercy.
It is terribly difficult for those who have been led to believe that if only they would commit their lives to Jesus the Christ, all would go well in their lives.
Now, to be fair, much of the suffering that we experience comes from our own crappy choices. On the other hand, through no fault of our own, we get abandoned and ambushed by people and by life itself. Dreams turn to nightmares. What once seemed like answers now seem completely inadequate. Our pride turns to shame and embarrassment. Confidence turns to confusion and despair. Friendships have turned to hurtful gossip. Smiles have turned to tears. Numb or angry, the God we trusted is using a means of changing us that seems entirely wrong. Afraid to try again. Afraid to trust. Afraid that there’s much more hardship to come. Afraid to hope and afraid to love.
Fortunate? Favoured? Happy? Mmm, not so much. And yet it IS good. God does - something - something. And the something that He does for those willing to observe leads to thoughts like this one from the apostle Paul, “Therefore I rejoice in my suffering, in my infirmities, in weakness and insults.”
This is one of the aspects of walking through life with our Creator that is most confusing. Richard Dawkins said that he is “bewildered” by Christians because suffering seems to make them stronger. The comfort of God in the midst of our mourning is a strange and wonderful thing. No matter the loss that you’ve experienced, the hurt that you encounter, the confusion and despair that seems to come in wave after wave, the love and mercy of our Lord and Saviour is greater than it all. My prayer is that you'll let Him love you this Christmas season and forever.
Happy Holy Days - and may the comfort of His presence allow for you to experience a Merry and Joyous Christmas.
Jesus said, “Blessed (happy, favoured, fortunate) are those who mourn for they will be comforted.” Matthew 5:4.
I remind any and all of the people with whom I work that there is not a single pew in our congregation that is not filled with those who are struggling. A marriage has or is ending. A child is making self-destructive choices. A loved one has died. An addiction is reaching the point where it can’t be hidden any more. There are many, many reasons to mourn. Life is filled to the brim with opportunities to grieve, to mourn and to be comforted.
When our child died, for two weeks we were hardly ever alone. From about an hour after breakfast to about an hour before we turned in for the night, we were in the presence of friends. To this day, I don’t know if it was organised. It must have been, for as one friend got up to leave, another would appear. It wasn’t intrusive. Many times we went on with what needed to be done while they were simply there; talking to the other kids or reading a magazine at the kitchen table. On a couple occasions we’d say good bye to a friend and as I walked past the kitchen window, another friend was sitting down on the deck with a book. If I hadn’t greeted them, I suspect that not a word would have been said. They were just - there. For two weeks, comforters were present. It brings tears to my eyes right now just remembering the goodness and the mercy.
It is terribly difficult for those who have been led to believe that if only they would commit their lives to Jesus the Christ, all would go well in their lives.
Now, to be fair, much of the suffering that we experience comes from our own crappy choices. On the other hand, through no fault of our own, we get abandoned and ambushed by people and by life itself. Dreams turn to nightmares. What once seemed like answers now seem completely inadequate. Our pride turns to shame and embarrassment. Confidence turns to confusion and despair. Friendships have turned to hurtful gossip. Smiles have turned to tears. Numb or angry, the God we trusted is using a means of changing us that seems entirely wrong. Afraid to try again. Afraid to trust. Afraid that there’s much more hardship to come. Afraid to hope and afraid to love.
Fortunate? Favoured? Happy? Mmm, not so much. And yet it IS good. God does - something - something. And the something that He does for those willing to observe leads to thoughts like this one from the apostle Paul, “Therefore I rejoice in my suffering, in my infirmities, in weakness and insults.”
This is one of the aspects of walking through life with our Creator that is most confusing. Richard Dawkins said that he is “bewildered” by Christians because suffering seems to make them stronger. The comfort of God in the midst of our mourning is a strange and wonderful thing. No matter the loss that you’ve experienced, the hurt that you encounter, the confusion and despair that seems to come in wave after wave, the love and mercy of our Lord and Saviour is greater than it all. My prayer is that you'll let Him love you this Christmas season and forever.
Happy Holy Days - and may the comfort of His presence allow for you to experience a Merry and Joyous Christmas.
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Why go to God?
The only reason for my approach to God must be that He is what I believe Him to be, a God of honour and justice, not a God of manipulative magic who demands that we do things without any reason. There are many today who genuinely complain, “I will not, I can not, accept the God you are presenting because He is not a moral God; there is something wrong if He is as the Bible describes Him. My whole being cries out against such a being. I cannot go to such a God as a deliverer.”
I’m saying that God is different than what your childhood creed described and that it must be acknowledged that there are facts which that creed had not taken into account. That’s a god for theology, but theology is second, not first. If we put theology first, we will do what many do, refuse to look at facts and remain consistent to certain ideas which pervert the character of God.
In the final run God will not have us say an untrue thing for the sake of His honour.
He’ll allow us to reject Him but we should never worship or reject Him because of misinformation.
I’m saying that God is different than what your childhood creed described and that it must be acknowledged that there are facts which that creed had not taken into account. That’s a god for theology, but theology is second, not first. If we put theology first, we will do what many do, refuse to look at facts and remain consistent to certain ideas which pervert the character of God.
In the final run God will not have us say an untrue thing for the sake of His honour.
He’ll allow us to reject Him but we should never worship or reject Him because of misinformation.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Who knows their Bible Better?
For those tuning in today, here’s a question to see who knows their Bible better, the atheists or the Christians. I maybe should have waited for Hugo to return from his holiday, but I’d forget by then. The question is:
What was the first of God’s works; the first thing to be brought forth?
Answer with chapter and verse(s) please.
Proverbs 8:22,23
What was the first of God’s works; the first thing to be brought forth?
Answer with chapter and verse(s) please.
Proverbs 8:22,23
Humility and the Disappearance of Self
Some mistake humility as an effort to be less than others or a race for last place. Paul’s admonition to think of others as better than yourself can be misinterpreted in this manner. In reality, humility comes solely from knowing ourselves though the eyes of God. Treating others in a deferential manner is an outflow of that.
We are obsessed with who we are in our eyes. We most often base our worth on the ebb and flow of world opinion. We strive for beauty and power and position. We measure ourselves by worldly accomplishments. Depending on how others see us causes us to place our very security on things that cannot save. It causes us to place our source of pride on things that may be worthless tomorrow.
However, Biblical humility literally means to empty ourselves of ourselves. It means to become so strong, so free from worldly concerns that anything other than who we are in Christ is of no consequence at all.
We are obsessed with who we are in our eyes. We most often base our worth on the ebb and flow of world opinion. We strive for beauty and power and position. We measure ourselves by worldly accomplishments. Depending on how others see us causes us to place our very security on things that cannot save. It causes us to place our source of pride on things that may be worthless tomorrow.
However, Biblical humility literally means to empty ourselves of ourselves. It means to become so strong, so free from worldly concerns that anything other than who we are in Christ is of no consequence at all.
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Is This a Straw Man?
Christians believe, and the Bible says, that Creator God (who is Spirit) brought everything material into existence out of nothing.
The Standard Big Bang Model says that everything material came into existence out of nothing, but the model doesn't / can’t yet say Why or How.
Atheists do not believe in God but they do believe in and trust the scientific model of inquiry - or so they say when it suits their argument :-)
If the BB model is correct, then atheists believe or at least accept that everything came from nothing by nothing.
Of course atheists don’t say this explicitly but it's implicit in the following atheist beliefs:
. No God exists - Do atheists say this or not?
. Nothing Supernatural exists - Do atheists say this or not?
. I only accept what has been determined by science - Do atheists say this or not?
What has been determined by science? The best evidence to date (back ground radiation, 2nd Law of Thermodynamics, expanding universe etc. etc) points to:
. Standard Model: Everything existed after the Singularity - 1st Law of Thermodynamics.
. Standard Model: Nothing existed prior to the Singularity; no space, no time, no energy, no matter, no laws of physics.
. Consistently Observed: Nothing begins to exist without an external cause (You, me, machines, buildings, clothes, art, music, galaxies, stars, the universe, even your little brown turds). Everything that begins to exist has a cause that is external to itself.
. Scientifically Obvious: The universe began to exist.
Most atheists accept that the universe contains everything material that exists.
Most atheists accept that anything that begins to exist has a cause. Even Hume wouldn't say something so stupid as that something can begin to exist without a cause.
If just before Everything material existed, Nothing material existed, and if everything that begins to exist has an external cause, then atheists are saying that Nothing caused Everything to come into being.
Now, how is that a Straw Man? OR is there something that atheists believe that is being left unspoken? And if so, what?
The Standard Big Bang Model says that everything material came into existence out of nothing, but the model doesn't / can’t yet say Why or How.
Atheists do not believe in God but they do believe in and trust the scientific model of inquiry - or so they say when it suits their argument :-)
If the BB model is correct, then atheists believe or at least accept that everything came from nothing by nothing.
Of course atheists don’t say this explicitly but it's implicit in the following atheist beliefs:
. No God exists - Do atheists say this or not?
. Nothing Supernatural exists - Do atheists say this or not?
. I only accept what has been determined by science - Do atheists say this or not?
What has been determined by science? The best evidence to date (back ground radiation, 2nd Law of Thermodynamics, expanding universe etc. etc) points to:
. Standard Model: Everything existed after the Singularity - 1st Law of Thermodynamics.
. Standard Model: Nothing existed prior to the Singularity; no space, no time, no energy, no matter, no laws of physics.
. Consistently Observed: Nothing begins to exist without an external cause (You, me, machines, buildings, clothes, art, music, galaxies, stars, the universe, even your little brown turds). Everything that begins to exist has a cause that is external to itself.
. Scientifically Obvious: The universe began to exist.
Most atheists accept that the universe contains everything material that exists.
Most atheists accept that anything that begins to exist has a cause. Even Hume wouldn't say something so stupid as that something can begin to exist without a cause.
If just before Everything material existed, Nothing material existed, and if everything that begins to exist has an external cause, then atheists are saying that Nothing caused Everything to come into being.
Now, how is that a Straw Man? OR is there something that atheists believe that is being left unspoken? And if so, what?
Thursday, October 29, 2009
God in the Dock
Written by C. S. Lewis, "God in the Dock" addresses the attitude, peculiar to humans, of wanting to do away with their Creator.
Atheists in particular want to see God dead.
Atheists in particular want to take the credit for the killing of Creator God.
Humans look at the world around them and find rising within them anger and rage and indignation that they should have to tolerate anything less than paradise. We compile our list of perceived crimes that God has committed and we stand at His gates, shaking our fists and screaming our protest. We actually feel good, even righteous in demanding that our Creator stand trial.
We are His judge.
We are His jury.
We cross-examine the Almighty and hold Him in contempt when He refuses to answer our charge.
Not only do we feel entitled to an explanation. We feel entitled to recompense.
How is it that we cannot see that we are not qualified to judge our Creator?
It’s His laws, His court.
Shall the pot say to the Potter, “Why have you made me this way?”
Atheists in particular want to see God dead.
Atheists in particular want to take the credit for the killing of Creator God.
Humans look at the world around them and find rising within them anger and rage and indignation that they should have to tolerate anything less than paradise. We compile our list of perceived crimes that God has committed and we stand at His gates, shaking our fists and screaming our protest. We actually feel good, even righteous in demanding that our Creator stand trial.
We are His judge.
We are His jury.
We cross-examine the Almighty and hold Him in contempt when He refuses to answer our charge.
Not only do we feel entitled to an explanation. We feel entitled to recompense.
How is it that we cannot see that we are not qualified to judge our Creator?
It’s His laws, His court.
Shall the pot say to the Potter, “Why have you made me this way?”
The Offer of Mercy
Two thousand years ago, God came to earth in a form that we could recognise and understand. He came to offer us mercy and grace.
Our response was to spit in His face. We pulled out His beard, beat Him with fists and rods and whips until He was unrecognisable. Then we hung Him naked on a Roman cross until dead.
Surprisingly, from a human perspective, HIS offer of mercy and grace still stands.
One day soon, too soon for many, Jesus will gather to Himself and bring safely home those who have accepted that offer.
I hope to see you there.
Because Creator God is all powerful, He CAN rid the cosmos of evil
Because Creator God is all good, He WILL rid the cosmos of evil
Because Creator God is using the consequences of evil to change humankind, and to separate those for and against Him, evil is still present
Creator God has told us ahead of time so that no one will be taken by surprise, that one day soon He CAN and WILL rid the cosmos of evil, including those who have decided to side with evil and rebel against their Creator.
Our response was to spit in His face. We pulled out His beard, beat Him with fists and rods and whips until He was unrecognisable. Then we hung Him naked on a Roman cross until dead.
Surprisingly, from a human perspective, HIS offer of mercy and grace still stands.
One day soon, too soon for many, Jesus will gather to Himself and bring safely home those who have accepted that offer.
I hope to see you there.
Because Creator God is all powerful, He CAN rid the cosmos of evil
Because Creator God is all good, He WILL rid the cosmos of evil
Because Creator God is using the consequences of evil to change humankind, and to separate those for and against Him, evil is still present
Creator God has told us ahead of time so that no one will be taken by surprise, that one day soon He CAN and WILL rid the cosmos of evil, including those who have decided to side with evil and rebel against their Creator.
Saturday, October 24, 2009
If God . . .
If the salvation of our soul is the most important event, and
If the preparation of our soul for eternity is the most important task, then
The “problem” of suffering, becomes the “proper use of suffering,” for
God uses the suffering that is experienced in this fallen and dying world to change us and shape us into Christlikeness and the readying of us for our existence in eternity.
If the preparation of our soul for eternity is the most important task, then
The “problem” of suffering, becomes the “proper use of suffering,” for
God uses the suffering that is experienced in this fallen and dying world to change us and shape us into Christlikeness and the readying of us for our existence in eternity.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Why Me?
When we encounter the consequences of this fallen world, be it death or disease or violence, regardless of the cause, God will give that suffering or difficulty meaning and context and purpose. In fact, if you look carefully (Christians only), you’ll see that the difficulty that you’re experiencing has been exquisitely designed to root out the most disgusting aspects of your character.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
God's Sovereignty
When Joseph was sold into slavery, it wasn’t some random event. It was part of God’s sovereign plan, as are the things that happen to us. After a couple decades of real hardship, Joseph said to the brothers that had sold him, “You meant it for evil, but God meant it for good.”
God meant for it to happen, and He meant for good to come out of it.
What atheists cannot stand is the fact that God’s plan for the redemption of the universe takes priority over our feelings.
The beauty of Joseph’s story is that it shows two things:
. Sin, satan and suffering NEVER have the last word
. The things that happen to us are NEVER an indication of the level of God’s love for us.
God meant for it to happen, and He meant for good to come out of it.
What atheists cannot stand is the fact that God’s plan for the redemption of the universe takes priority over our feelings.
The beauty of Joseph’s story is that it shows two things:
. Sin, satan and suffering NEVER have the last word
. The things that happen to us are NEVER an indication of the level of God’s love for us.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Atheists Get It Right Again
Over the years I’ve noticed that atheists, from time to time express a more accurate understanding of Creator God than do many Christians. For example, asking the question, “How can a loving God allow suffering in the world,” is not just a question, it’s one of the most important questions ever. This morning it just dawned on me that atheists have got it right again. As it turns out, atheists also draw attention to the correct amount of horror, fear and dread regarding Creator God.
I used to think that the term “fear of the Lord” meant respect; like having respect for fire. At the very least that’s what it means. I’m not so sure anymore that's all that it means. In fact that kind of attitude might just be another example of the human condition. Our pride keeps us from experiencing a sense of awe when contemplating our Creator, and we’re too arrogant to experience the terror that is appropriate in the presence of a Being who is capable of sending us to eternal death.
Atheists at least get the latter issue. They are shocked that any God could, and worse, would keep them from entering heaven. Yet we can’t deny the fact that if the Bible is a revelation from God, to us, about Himself, fear is one of the emotions that He wishes to evoke in us. And, if what the Bible teaches about heaven and hell is correct, then fear is an appropriate response for those who choose to remain enemies of their Creator.
Now, here is where Christians part ways with the atheist. For Christians we will never experience the wrath of God; the wrath that we are told to fear. For atheists on the other hand, the future looks grim. The horror and the terror they attribute to this “monster” will be fully realised at the end of the atheist's short, short time on earth.
I used to think that the term “fear of the Lord” meant respect; like having respect for fire. At the very least that’s what it means. I’m not so sure anymore that's all that it means. In fact that kind of attitude might just be another example of the human condition. Our pride keeps us from experiencing a sense of awe when contemplating our Creator, and we’re too arrogant to experience the terror that is appropriate in the presence of a Being who is capable of sending us to eternal death.
Atheists at least get the latter issue. They are shocked that any God could, and worse, would keep them from entering heaven. Yet we can’t deny the fact that if the Bible is a revelation from God, to us, about Himself, fear is one of the emotions that He wishes to evoke in us. And, if what the Bible teaches about heaven and hell is correct, then fear is an appropriate response for those who choose to remain enemies of their Creator.
Now, here is where Christians part ways with the atheist. For Christians we will never experience the wrath of God; the wrath that we are told to fear. For atheists on the other hand, the future looks grim. The horror and the terror they attribute to this “monster” will be fully realised at the end of the atheist's short, short time on earth.
Monday, October 19, 2009
It Doesn’t Make Any Sense!
1) Some people believe In God - He exists, He is Sovereign, He is a Creator etc.
2) Some people believe in beliefs about God - He is loving, He is kind, He is merciful
We also have beliefs about those beliefs about God
- It wouldn’t be loving to allow my child to die
- It wouldn’t be kind to allow my partner to leave me
- It wouldn’t be merciful to let those I love go to hell
Those beliefs about love and kindness and mercy become our beliefs about God.
. A loving God wouldn’t allow my child to die
. A kind God wouldn’t allow my partner to leave me
. A merciful God will make those I love become Christians
So when our child dies or when our husband / wife leaves, or when those we love remain hostile and angry toward God, some people come to a conclusion NOT that their beliefs about God were wrong, but that their belief in the existence of God must be wrong.
Now, God may NOT exist, but His existence is not, will not and indeed cannot be proven based on the twists and turns of life’s journey.
2) Some people believe in beliefs about God - He is loving, He is kind, He is merciful
We also have beliefs about those beliefs about God
- It wouldn’t be loving to allow my child to die
- It wouldn’t be kind to allow my partner to leave me
- It wouldn’t be merciful to let those I love go to hell
Those beliefs about love and kindness and mercy become our beliefs about God.
. A loving God wouldn’t allow my child to die
. A kind God wouldn’t allow my partner to leave me
. A merciful God will make those I love become Christians
So when our child dies or when our husband / wife leaves, or when those we love remain hostile and angry toward God, some people come to a conclusion NOT that their beliefs about God were wrong, but that their belief in the existence of God must be wrong.
Now, God may NOT exist, but His existence is not, will not and indeed cannot be proven based on the twists and turns of life’s journey.
Are You Worthy of Love?
No matter who you are
No matter what you’ve done
No matter what other people think about you
No matter what you think about yourself
God - Loves - YOU
No matter what you’ve done
No matter what other people think about you
No matter what you think about yourself
God - Loves - YOU
Sunday, October 4, 2009
I Know Miracles Happen
In fact I am a walking example of a miracle. I worship Creator God. This is not through effort or even desire. In fact, for most of my life my desire was to ignore religion and the god that I didn’t think existed. Yet here I am today, sold out to Jesus the Messiah.
He changed me. He transformed me into a trophy of grace. Creator God took this once cold, cold heart and gave it the ability to love. He took this lying soul and gave it the ability to be honest. Jesus took a man completely focussed on himself and turned him into someone who is willing to give of himself, his time, his money so that others might live and know the Lord Jesus Christ.
Worshipping God is not natural. As many an atheist has said, “I couldn’t believe in God even if I wanted to.” Absolutely correct. Unless God works a miracle in a person’s soul, an intimate, healed and forgiven relationship with Creator God is impossible.
He changed me. He transformed me into a trophy of grace. Creator God took this once cold, cold heart and gave it the ability to love. He took this lying soul and gave it the ability to be honest. Jesus took a man completely focussed on himself and turned him into someone who is willing to give of himself, his time, his money so that others might live and know the Lord Jesus Christ.
Worshipping God is not natural. As many an atheist has said, “I couldn’t believe in God even if I wanted to.” Absolutely correct. Unless God works a miracle in a person’s soul, an intimate, healed and forgiven relationship with Creator God is impossible.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
You Can't Prove It
"there is no sure-fire way to prove God's existence (or lack thereof)"
That's a comment by some atheist this morning. I think a more accurate statement would be,
There is no sure-fire way to prove God's existence to another person.
God's existence HAS been proven to me by God Himself. However, helping someone else acknowledge His reality is not possible. That's the work of the Holy Spirit and He moves where He will as He desires.
That's a comment by some atheist this morning. I think a more accurate statement would be,
There is no sure-fire way to prove God's existence to another person.
God's existence HAS been proven to me by God Himself. However, helping someone else acknowledge His reality is not possible. That's the work of the Holy Spirit and He moves where He will as He desires.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Will You Accept Me?
Many, if not most people find the Old Covenant difficult to understand. We really shouldn’t have that much trouble with it. In fact, the Old Covenant should have a special appeal for us? Why? Because the Old Covenant is based completely on performance. Most people, atheists especially, fancy themselves to be really good people, top performers, people who God should be thrilled to have in heaven. In the Old Covenant, God gave us exactly what we want. “Judge me by how good I am.” Of course, we want the standard of goodness to be set by us, by ourselves, by ME. That way I can judge you by your behaviours while I judge myself by my intentions.
Sadly, what people don’t get is that if you want to be accepted on the basis of performance, your performance has to be perfect even as God in heaven is perfect. Phrases such as "Fat Chance," and "Good luck with that," are appropriate here.
Thankfully, God has provided a means for our salvation that is based on His mercy. Our acceptance is based upon God’s Grace which is triggered by our faith in what Jesus accomplished for us on the cross. Now of course Grace is a scandalous concept to those who see themselves as better than others. Atheists in particular are outraged that anyone, Did You Hear That? ANYONE! can be saved by Grace. Atheists love to punish and each and every one of them have at least one person in mind, who they believe doesn't deserve to be forgiven.
We are currently living in the age of Grace. All who admit they are sinners, all who are willing to humble themselves and repent of their sins can be forgiven. But that’s the problem - isn’t it? Grace, implies the presence of sin. Grace implies the acceptance for a NEED for grace. Where there is no admission of sin, there is no Grace available. And that is what atheists cannot tolerate. For if they admit to a need for Grace they are also admitting that they are in fact not good people without God. Without self-honesty there is simply no way of being accepted.
Sadly, what people don’t get is that if you want to be accepted on the basis of performance, your performance has to be perfect even as God in heaven is perfect. Phrases such as "Fat Chance," and "Good luck with that," are appropriate here.
Thankfully, God has provided a means for our salvation that is based on His mercy. Our acceptance is based upon God’s Grace which is triggered by our faith in what Jesus accomplished for us on the cross. Now of course Grace is a scandalous concept to those who see themselves as better than others. Atheists in particular are outraged that anyone, Did You Hear That? ANYONE! can be saved by Grace. Atheists love to punish and each and every one of them have at least one person in mind, who they believe doesn't deserve to be forgiven.
We are currently living in the age of Grace. All who admit they are sinners, all who are willing to humble themselves and repent of their sins can be forgiven. But that’s the problem - isn’t it? Grace, implies the presence of sin. Grace implies the acceptance for a NEED for grace. Where there is no admission of sin, there is no Grace available. And that is what atheists cannot tolerate. For if they admit to a need for Grace they are also admitting that they are in fact not good people without God. Without self-honesty there is simply no way of being accepted.
Friday, September 25, 2009
Why Pray?
I said in "Dangerously Close" that God is not a Sky Santa or Tooth Fairy. Of course that’s how atheists believe that He should be and when He doesn’t deliver, atheists throw a pout and pretend to ignore him. The atheist’s “logical” conclusion after first denying God’s existence is that prayer doesn’t work. Well, if your goal is to get Him to dance to whatever tune you choose to play, then, no, I suppose prayer doesn’t work.
On the other hand, there are some interesting verses regarding prayer. Two in particular grab my attention.
One, in 1st Thess. 5:16,17 - “Be joyful always, pray often and give thanks in all circumstances for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” The other says,
Philippians 4:6,7 - Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition, and with thanksgiving, present your request to God. And (if you do this) the peace of God which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”
As I’ve matured in my relationship with God, I’ve realised that giving thanks is the appropriate response because God is already working in the situations that I’m likely to bring before my Creator.
Take care of these kids? He’s already rescued them from neglectful homes.
Watch over our congregation? It’s His Church
Help me be the kind of dad and husband you want me to be? He’s been doing that for decades.
Come into my pain and change me? That was His idea in the first place.
In reality, most of my prayers turn very quickly to a litany of "thank you" for all the wondrous gifts that God heaps on me. “Morning by morning new mercies I see.”
Why pray? You may as well ask, “Why talk to your wife?” Christianity is all about a relationship. Relationships thrive on communication. Relationships thrive on acknowledging the good that your partner has done for you. Thanking my wife for the role that she plays in my life is in part, acknowledging that I can't do this by myself. It's admitting that my life would be poorer if she was not in it.
It's exactly the same with my relationship with Jesus. Basking in the warmth of God’s love compels me to live a life of thanksgiving and praise.
On the other hand, there are some interesting verses regarding prayer. Two in particular grab my attention.
One, in 1st Thess. 5:16,17 - “Be joyful always, pray often and give thanks in all circumstances for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” The other says,
Philippians 4:6,7 - Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition, and with thanksgiving, present your request to God. And (if you do this) the peace of God which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”
As I’ve matured in my relationship with God, I’ve realised that giving thanks is the appropriate response because God is already working in the situations that I’m likely to bring before my Creator.
Take care of these kids? He’s already rescued them from neglectful homes.
Watch over our congregation? It’s His Church
Help me be the kind of dad and husband you want me to be? He’s been doing that for decades.
Come into my pain and change me? That was His idea in the first place.
In reality, most of my prayers turn very quickly to a litany of "thank you" for all the wondrous gifts that God heaps on me. “Morning by morning new mercies I see.”
Why pray? You may as well ask, “Why talk to your wife?” Christianity is all about a relationship. Relationships thrive on communication. Relationships thrive on acknowledging the good that your partner has done for you. Thanking my wife for the role that she plays in my life is in part, acknowledging that I can't do this by myself. It's admitting that my life would be poorer if she was not in it.
It's exactly the same with my relationship with Jesus. Basking in the warmth of God’s love compels me to live a life of thanksgiving and praise.
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