Ever been to court? Tradition, ritual, and deliberation are the ideals of the courtroom. Why? Because when we are accused of breaking the law or when we have a claim for compensation, we want a person who is fair, thoughtful, and wise presiding over the process that produces the verdict or judgment that will effect our lives and our freedom. Judges have a unique role in our society from which they act almost like kings, with amazing authority, and out of the reach of politics and influence of special interest groups, money, and public opinion. The judicial system relies on the integrity of the judges. Nobody wants to have their case heard in a court where a corrupt judge presides! There is a reason that the judicial process is so deliberate, even aggravatingly slow. Ever hear of something called 'the rush to judgment?' Judges want the parties to a dispute to assemble their case, to present the facts in an orderly and reasonable way, then he takes time to weigh the evidence, to carefully consider the material presented by each side. If a jury is involved, he tries to make certain that their work is done with no outside influences.
Contrary to popular opinion, the Church needs judges, too! Important issues arise that require a decision. Doctrinal questions come along that demand careful consideration. Sin arises in the lives of Believers that will corrupt the entire Body of Christ if not challenged and corrected. Disputes between sincere disciples crop up and only the intervention by others who are wise and fair can keep the peace! However, Jesus tells us - "Judge not, that you be not judged." (Matthew 7:1, NKJV) So, what are we to do with that statement? He is reminding us that we are not to 'set up court' personally, handing down verdicts at our dining room table in a manner that is casual and uninformed!
Many is the person who has been hurt, sometimes terribly, by judgments proclaimed by self-appointed judges within the church. There are those who are quick to form an opinion despite having few facts on which to rely. There are those ready to bend the rules to favor themselves, or the wealthy, or the influential. A certain gracelessness is often in evidence that fails to appreciate the process justice, preferring instead to hand down a quick verdict and move on, no matter the consequences for some. This is what Jesus forbids among us! He does not tell us to set aside discernment. We cannot lose the ability to recognize the difference between right and wrong, truth and error, in the name of love.
In a word picture that must have provoked laughter in his audience, Jesus says, "Why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own? How can you think of saying to your friend, ‘Let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,’ when you can’t see past the log in your own eye?" (Matthew 7:3-4, NLT) When we jump to conclusions about another, when we wag our heads in disgust, and repeat a juicy morsel of unsubstantiated gossip, we place ourselves in the seat of the judge, but our judgment is flawed, hindered by our own lack of clear vision! Judgment in the Church is given to the mature, to those recognized as Elders because of their deep reverence for the Lord, their willingness to make difficult choices, and their love for justice more than their need for approval.
Are you critical of others?
Are you pointing the finger of accusation at this one or that one?
Are you deciding whose 'in' and whose 'out' based on your own personal preferences?
Stop, in the name of Love! (Sorry, Diana Ross, just had to use that line.) Leave judgment to those who are qualified to judge!
"It is written: "‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord, ‘every knee will bow before me; every tongue will confess to God.’" So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God. Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother’s way." (Romans 14:11-13, NIV)
Friday, November 09, 2007
Thursday, November 08, 2007
God-confident, eternally secure!
I like to think I'm a good and responsible man. I keep my yard trimmed, my car clean, and my desk orderly most of the time. I pay my bills on time, watch my credit score, and take my vitamins. I voted on Tuesday, went to Bible Study on Wednesday (after all, I am the pastor), and visited the elderly from the congregation. I love my wife and my kids, don't curse, pay tithes to my church, and read my Bible. How 'bout a high five for the good guy? Yet, I am not perfect and I never will be while I am still on this side of Heaven! I am tempted to doubt, wrestle with pride, and fail to love too often. Even though I know my sins and flaws well, there is a not so subtle temptation to think that God might love me just a little more if I try harder to do the right things.
There is a major problem with all that 'being good' as a basis for hoping for God's favor. He says, 'If you hope to please me with your own righteousness, know this - the standard is perfection. And, the fact is that there is no one who can reach it." God does not grade on a curve. He does not give extra credit for good intentions or longer prayers. So long ago, I abandoned my own goodness as a reason to hope for God's favor and as a basis for being a citizen of the Heavenly Kingdom. I accepted the gift of God's favor, provided freely to me by Christ Jesus, and found confident hope for life now, for death when it comes, and for eternity! The Scripture says that because of God's gift of acceptance we rejoice - in the good times and the tough times equally - because our hope transcends our circumstances. Read it!
"By entering through faith into what God has always wanted to do for us—set us right with him, make us fit for him—we have it all together with God because of our Master Jesus. And that’s not all: We throw open our doors to God and discover at the same moment that he has already thrown open his door to us. We find ourselves standing where we always hoped we might stand—out in the wide open spaces of God’s grace and glory, standing tall and shouting our praise. There’s more to come: We continue to shout our praise even when we’re hemmed in with troubles, because we know how troubles can develop passionate patience in us, and how that patience in turn forges the tempered steel of virtue, keeping us alert for whatever God will do next." (Romans 5:1-4, The Message)
Some Believers live an 'up and down' spiritual life because they accept that it is God's grace that allows them to hope for a home in Heaven, but hang onto their own goodness as a basis for enjoying God's blessings now. When life is going well, they conclude that it must be because they are being 'good enough.' When they hit a rough spot on the road, the Devil exploits their faulty theology by making them think it must be punishment for some sin. They redouble their efforts, go to church; try so hard to be nice - so God will grant them some relief. If He doesn't, they get discouraged, or worse - become angry at Him - because "He is so unfair!" Don't jump to the wrong conclusion here. Our actions do have consequences, both good and bad. The Lord wants us to grow in grace and live good, pure lives. But, we never trust in our own goodness to earn for us, what He wants to give to us freely - salvation, acceptance, and hope!
Here's what the prophet Jeremiah said about this.
"Cursed are those who put their trust in mere humans, who rely on human strength and turn their hearts away from the Lord. They are like stunted shrubs in the desert, with no hope for the future. They will live in the barren wilderness, in an uninhabited salty land.
But blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence. They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought. Their leaves stay green, and they never stop producing fruit." (Jeremiah 17:5-8, NLT)
Are you truly righteous, or just religious? Righteousness is a gift of God through grace alone! It is so precious, no amount of our time, money, or efforts can buy it! God reserves it for those who will respond to His offer of grace with faith. "Saving is all his idea, and all his work. All we do is trust him enough to let him do it. It’s God’s gift from start to finish! We don’t play the major role. If we did, we’d probably go around bragging that we’d done the whole thing! No, we neither make nor save ourselves. God does both the making and saving. He creates each of us by Christ Jesus to join him in the work he does, the good work he has gotten ready for us to do, work we had better be doing." (Ephesians 2:8-10, The Message)
_____________________________
A friend of Jesus! Oh, what bliss
That one so weak as I
Should ever have a Friend like this
To lead me to the sky!
Friendship with Jesus!Fellowship divine!
Oh, what blessed, sweet communion!
Jesus is a Friend of mine.
Joseph Ludgate- Public Domain
There is a major problem with all that 'being good' as a basis for hoping for God's favor. He says, 'If you hope to please me with your own righteousness, know this - the standard is perfection. And, the fact is that there is no one who can reach it." God does not grade on a curve. He does not give extra credit for good intentions or longer prayers. So long ago, I abandoned my own goodness as a reason to hope for God's favor and as a basis for being a citizen of the Heavenly Kingdom. I accepted the gift of God's favor, provided freely to me by Christ Jesus, and found confident hope for life now, for death when it comes, and for eternity! The Scripture says that because of God's gift of acceptance we rejoice - in the good times and the tough times equally - because our hope transcends our circumstances. Read it!
"By entering through faith into what God has always wanted to do for us—set us right with him, make us fit for him—we have it all together with God because of our Master Jesus. And that’s not all: We throw open our doors to God and discover at the same moment that he has already thrown open his door to us. We find ourselves standing where we always hoped we might stand—out in the wide open spaces of God’s grace and glory, standing tall and shouting our praise. There’s more to come: We continue to shout our praise even when we’re hemmed in with troubles, because we know how troubles can develop passionate patience in us, and how that patience in turn forges the tempered steel of virtue, keeping us alert for whatever God will do next." (Romans 5:1-4, The Message)
Some Believers live an 'up and down' spiritual life because they accept that it is God's grace that allows them to hope for a home in Heaven, but hang onto their own goodness as a basis for enjoying God's blessings now. When life is going well, they conclude that it must be because they are being 'good enough.' When they hit a rough spot on the road, the Devil exploits their faulty theology by making them think it must be punishment for some sin. They redouble their efforts, go to church; try so hard to be nice - so God will grant them some relief. If He doesn't, they get discouraged, or worse - become angry at Him - because "He is so unfair!" Don't jump to the wrong conclusion here. Our actions do have consequences, both good and bad. The Lord wants us to grow in grace and live good, pure lives. But, we never trust in our own goodness to earn for us, what He wants to give to us freely - salvation, acceptance, and hope!
Here's what the prophet Jeremiah said about this.
"Cursed are those who put their trust in mere humans, who rely on human strength and turn their hearts away from the Lord. They are like stunted shrubs in the desert, with no hope for the future. They will live in the barren wilderness, in an uninhabited salty land.
But blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence. They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought. Their leaves stay green, and they never stop producing fruit." (Jeremiah 17:5-8, NLT)
Are you truly righteous, or just religious? Righteousness is a gift of God through grace alone! It is so precious, no amount of our time, money, or efforts can buy it! God reserves it for those who will respond to His offer of grace with faith. "Saving is all his idea, and all his work. All we do is trust him enough to let him do it. It’s God’s gift from start to finish! We don’t play the major role. If we did, we’d probably go around bragging that we’d done the whole thing! No, we neither make nor save ourselves. God does both the making and saving. He creates each of us by Christ Jesus to join him in the work he does, the good work he has gotten ready for us to do, work we had better be doing." (Ephesians 2:8-10, The Message)
_____________________________
A friend of Jesus! Oh, what bliss
That one so weak as I
Should ever have a Friend like this
To lead me to the sky!
Friendship with Jesus!Fellowship divine!
Oh, what blessed, sweet communion!
Jesus is a Friend of mine.
Joseph Ludgate- Public Domain
Wednesday, November 07, 2007
A God-free zone
A decision of the Olympic organizers in China to ban all Bibles from the athletes' Olympic village has some Christians angry. The officially atheistic government of that nation reportedly said that the presence of Bibles could produce division and provoke violence among athletes. According to news reports, religious symbols such as crosses are also banned among competitors. This anti-religion stance is not really new. For those of us who grew up in the mid-20th century, it is a familiar theme. When Communists were ruling the former Soviet Union and much of Eastern Europe, we read of Bible bans, arrests of Believers, and destruction of churches all the time. Karl Marx, the philosophical father of Communism, was himself an atheist who characterized religion as an 'illusory happiness... the opium of the masses.' He believed that abolishing religion would force people to deal with the real issues of their sad lives. Following his lead, Communist leaders in many nations attempted to create God-free zones- and they failed, miserably! China may ban Bibles, but her atheistic leaders cannot turn the Spirit of God away at the border.
Believer, there is a more pressing issue for us than Bible bans at the Olympics! Many of us leave God out of entire parts of our lives - sometimes intentionally, sometimes unconsciously. Let me give you a couple of examples.
When you turn on your TV to watch a movie or a couple of programs in the evening, do you invite the Holy Spirit to be with you? More to the point, if Jesus Christ were visibly present in your living room, would your choice of programming be different?
When go to work, do you leave the Lord in the entry lobby? Do you separate the Biblical principles that govern your personal life from the decisions you make in your business?
When you open your checkbook, does God have a say in the way you spend your money?
When you're getting angry with someone, do you push the Lord out of the room so you can really vent your emotions, without restraint, complete with profanity?
Is He invited to the secret reveries of your mind, the place where you escape the scrutiny of others and the restraints of social convention to wander through fantasy land?
Let me remind you of what you already know - There are no God-free zones! He is omniscient and omnipresent. In the 139th Psalm, we find a prayer praising God's greatness. The Scripture says, " God, investigate my life; get all the facts firsthand. I’m an open book to you; even from a distance, you know what I’m thinking. . . . You know everything I’m going to say before I start the first sentence. I look behind me and you’re there, then up ahead and you’re there, too— your reassuring presence, coming and going. . . . . Is there anyplace I can go to avoid your Spirit? to be out of your sight? " (Psalm 139:1-2, 4-5,7 The Message)
Perhaps you find that a threatening passage, and are filled with the same kind of revulsion that we feel when confronted with the invasions of privacy of Big Brother government! I hope not! For me, knowing that God is always near, that He knows everything about me, is a wonderfully reassuring fact. Nothing that comes my way today surprises Him, catches Him off guard. As my Advocate, my Counselor, I can rely on Him to guide me through the situations for which I am unprepared, to keep me from being overtaken by the temptations that spring at me like a lion from the bushes along the road!
To be sure, there are times when He falls silent. Sometimes we are the ones who grieve Him, who break the intimacy with Him, with deliberate choices of disobedience. And, sometimes we just do not sense Him near, for reasons we cannot know. I have walked through several periods in my life when my prayers were cold and lifeless, when I 'felt' like a spiritual orphan. Know this - God is there! All Believers experience such times. Recently we learned that Mother Teresa was anguished by long periods when she did not feel the Presence of God. The biographies of every Christian has chapters that record similar seasons. In those moments, by faith we remain true to Him. What we cannot know with our senses, we receive with our mind. We live in the promise of the Word. "Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." (Hebrews 11:1, NKJV)
Don't allow for any supposedly God-free zones in your life, dear Believer. Here's a prayer from the Word. Make it your petition today.
"Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." (Psalm 139:23-24, NIV)
__________________
On God's holy Word I challenge you
To give to the Lord your life anew.
My friend, make your choice;
He waits for you
For this is the moment of truth.
Now walk with God
And He will be your dearest Friend
Where'er you goIn everything you do.
And may your life
Reflect His love to ev'ryone.
Now walk with God
And He will walk with you.
Now Walk With God
Otis Skillings© 1969 Lillenas Publishing Company (Admin. by The Copyright Company)
CCLI License No. 810055
Believer, there is a more pressing issue for us than Bible bans at the Olympics! Many of us leave God out of entire parts of our lives - sometimes intentionally, sometimes unconsciously. Let me give you a couple of examples.
When you turn on your TV to watch a movie or a couple of programs in the evening, do you invite the Holy Spirit to be with you? More to the point, if Jesus Christ were visibly present in your living room, would your choice of programming be different?
When go to work, do you leave the Lord in the entry lobby? Do you separate the Biblical principles that govern your personal life from the decisions you make in your business?
When you open your checkbook, does God have a say in the way you spend your money?
When you're getting angry with someone, do you push the Lord out of the room so you can really vent your emotions, without restraint, complete with profanity?
Is He invited to the secret reveries of your mind, the place where you escape the scrutiny of others and the restraints of social convention to wander through fantasy land?
Let me remind you of what you already know - There are no God-free zones! He is omniscient and omnipresent. In the 139th Psalm, we find a prayer praising God's greatness. The Scripture says, " God, investigate my life; get all the facts firsthand. I’m an open book to you; even from a distance, you know what I’m thinking. . . . You know everything I’m going to say before I start the first sentence. I look behind me and you’re there, then up ahead and you’re there, too— your reassuring presence, coming and going. . . . . Is there anyplace I can go to avoid your Spirit? to be out of your sight? " (Psalm 139:1-2, 4-5,7 The Message)
Perhaps you find that a threatening passage, and are filled with the same kind of revulsion that we feel when confronted with the invasions of privacy of Big Brother government! I hope not! For me, knowing that God is always near, that He knows everything about me, is a wonderfully reassuring fact. Nothing that comes my way today surprises Him, catches Him off guard. As my Advocate, my Counselor, I can rely on Him to guide me through the situations for which I am unprepared, to keep me from being overtaken by the temptations that spring at me like a lion from the bushes along the road!
To be sure, there are times when He falls silent. Sometimes we are the ones who grieve Him, who break the intimacy with Him, with deliberate choices of disobedience. And, sometimes we just do not sense Him near, for reasons we cannot know. I have walked through several periods in my life when my prayers were cold and lifeless, when I 'felt' like a spiritual orphan. Know this - God is there! All Believers experience such times. Recently we learned that Mother Teresa was anguished by long periods when she did not feel the Presence of God. The biographies of every Christian has chapters that record similar seasons. In those moments, by faith we remain true to Him. What we cannot know with our senses, we receive with our mind. We live in the promise of the Word. "Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." (Hebrews 11:1, NKJV)
Don't allow for any supposedly God-free zones in your life, dear Believer. Here's a prayer from the Word. Make it your petition today.
"Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." (Psalm 139:23-24, NIV)
__________________
On God's holy Word I challenge you
To give to the Lord your life anew.
My friend, make your choice;
He waits for you
For this is the moment of truth.
Now walk with God
And He will be your dearest Friend
Where'er you goIn everything you do.
And may your life
Reflect His love to ev'ryone.
Now walk with God
And He will walk with you.
Now Walk With God
Otis Skillings© 1969 Lillenas Publishing Company (Admin. by The Copyright Company)
CCLI License No. 810055
Tuesday, November 06, 2007
The Gift of Language
My grandson, Payton, is mastering language. Often He takes off into a flow of syllables that I cannot decipher, much to his dismay. Yesterday over breakfast he fired off a long sentence that I did not understand. When I mimicked the sounds I'd heard, he looked back at me with a combination of confusion and irritation, and said it again. I still didn't get it! Thankfully his older brother is better at "Paytie speak" than Grandpa, so he translated. I chuckled when it came to me that in just a few years that little guy will be able to discuss complex, theoretical problems using the same sounds that are now so garbled. With maturity, he will learn to form his thoughts into words. And this Word will be true - "When I was a child, I spoke and thought and reasoned as a child. But when I grew up, I put away childish things." (1 Corinthians 13:11, NLT)
Have you thought about the power of your words recently?
Words build community, focus our mutual efforts, and let us give away little pieces of ourselves. They can soothe a broken heart! Think of the power of that simple heart-felt phrase - "I love you!" Words can inflame fury,too! "You're an idiot, a worthless piece of trash!" Words like that, spat out in harsh tones of anger, can hurt more than the cut of a knife. Hateful words that demean another, that criticize, that unfairly judge; can tear apart a family, a town, a nation - yes, even the world!
How are using the gift of language, Believer?
James urges us to give the Spirit our hearts so that the overflow of our words is like a fresh water spring! Take a look. "A word out of your mouth may seem of no account, but it can accomplish nearly anything—or destroy it! It only takes a spark, remember, to set off a forest fire. A careless or wrongly placed word out of your mouth can do that. By our speech we can ruin the world, turn harmony to chaos, throw mud on a reputation, send the whole world up in smoke and go up in smoke with it, smoke right from the pit of hell. . . . With our tongues we bless God our Father; with the same tongues we curse the very men and women he made in his image. Curses and blessings out of the same mouth! My friends, this can’t go on. A spring doesn’t gush fresh water one day and brackish the next, does it? . . . You’re not going to dip into a polluted mud hole and get a cup of clear, cool water, are you?" (James 3:3-12, The Message)
Are your words healing or hurting?
Are your words building up or tearing down?
Are your words encouraging or discouraging?
Are your words refreshing or exhausting?
I want to encourage you to monitor your speech. Pray that the Spirit of God will help you hear what you're saying- good and bad. If you discover a preponderance of foul, discouraging, or faithless words, seek a spiritual renewal, the washing of the Word for your heart and mind. Let Him change the source and replace that kind of language with whole, helpful, and worshipful words that give life. Be careful about just settling for 'nice' words. We all know how silly PC (politically correct) speech is! That is when the sentiments of our heart are disguised with words that are purposefully bland! Go for a whole new vocabulary and tone that reveals the life of the Spirit in you!
Here is a word from the Word to ponder today - "Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them. And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior." (Ephesians 4:29-31, NLT)
"Lord, my prayer today is that "the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer." (Psalm 19:14, NIV) Amen.
Have you thought about the power of your words recently?
Words build community, focus our mutual efforts, and let us give away little pieces of ourselves. They can soothe a broken heart! Think of the power of that simple heart-felt phrase - "I love you!" Words can inflame fury,too! "You're an idiot, a worthless piece of trash!" Words like that, spat out in harsh tones of anger, can hurt more than the cut of a knife. Hateful words that demean another, that criticize, that unfairly judge; can tear apart a family, a town, a nation - yes, even the world!
How are using the gift of language, Believer?
James urges us to give the Spirit our hearts so that the overflow of our words is like a fresh water spring! Take a look. "A word out of your mouth may seem of no account, but it can accomplish nearly anything—or destroy it! It only takes a spark, remember, to set off a forest fire. A careless or wrongly placed word out of your mouth can do that. By our speech we can ruin the world, turn harmony to chaos, throw mud on a reputation, send the whole world up in smoke and go up in smoke with it, smoke right from the pit of hell. . . . With our tongues we bless God our Father; with the same tongues we curse the very men and women he made in his image. Curses and blessings out of the same mouth! My friends, this can’t go on. A spring doesn’t gush fresh water one day and brackish the next, does it? . . . You’re not going to dip into a polluted mud hole and get a cup of clear, cool water, are you?" (James 3:3-12, The Message)
Are your words healing or hurting?
Are your words building up or tearing down?
Are your words encouraging or discouraging?
Are your words refreshing or exhausting?
I want to encourage you to monitor your speech. Pray that the Spirit of God will help you hear what you're saying- good and bad. If you discover a preponderance of foul, discouraging, or faithless words, seek a spiritual renewal, the washing of the Word for your heart and mind. Let Him change the source and replace that kind of language with whole, helpful, and worshipful words that give life. Be careful about just settling for 'nice' words. We all know how silly PC (politically correct) speech is! That is when the sentiments of our heart are disguised with words that are purposefully bland! Go for a whole new vocabulary and tone that reveals the life of the Spirit in you!
Here is a word from the Word to ponder today - "Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them. And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior." (Ephesians 4:29-31, NLT)
"Lord, my prayer today is that "the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer." (Psalm 19:14, NIV) Amen.
Monday, November 05, 2007
When You're Weak, He is Strong!
Unlike most Sundays, I was not really all that eager to speak yesterday, and that's a problem for a preacher! There was the stress of dealing with some internal problems with one of our ministries during the week, which distracted from preparation time. And, on Sunday morning I was not feeling well - dealing with a cold, fatigue, and aches of flu-like symptoms. So, I went to the pulpit yesterday knowing I was 'weak.' I prayed that I would present His Word in an honorable way. Then, about 5 minutes into my sermon, my computer locked, meaning that I didn't have my PowerPoint display. Now, that might seem like a small thing (and it is, I suppose) but I use those notes to keep me on track while I speak. So, as we walked up the aisle to greet people at the door, I whispered to my wife, Bev, "I sure did a lousy job today!" To me, it seemed that I had fumbled the wonderful Truth of the Word. Then, on Sunday evening, I received this email- "I just wanted to say thank you for your message today. I know that you were not feeling well, but you let God use you to give a message that I feel was just for me. Thank you for you serving spirit." Never count yourself out, for God is at work even when you're sick and tired!
Paul, the apostle, was privileged to receive great revelations in the Spirit. Pride is so common and such a detriment to effectiveness in God's work. So, to keep him humble and prayerful, God allowed him to have an ongoing weakness, the nature of which we can only guess at today. But the 'why' of that weakness is perfectly clear! Take a look. "... to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud. Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. Each time he said, "My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness." So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong." (2 Corinthians 12:7-10, NLT)
What a paradox! At the point of our weakness, God finds an opening to show us how dependent we are on the power of the Spirit and to show the world how strong He is at work in and through us. Now, it is true that the Enemy attempts to exploit those weaknesses, too! But, if we acknowledge them and present them to the Lord instead of trying to hide them or put a spin on them to make them look good, He can use our very weaknesses for the display of His glory! He is often revealed in our lives not because of what we consider our strength, but in spite of what we think is our weakness. Even our sin becomes an opportunity for the amazing grace of Christ to be displayed. You think I'm making that up? It's the Bible truth. "The law was added so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more, so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." (Romans 5:20-21, NIV)
None of the above should be misconstrued as an endorsement of courting failure, allowing poor preparation, or flagrantly breaking God's law! It is foolishness and presumption on the grace and goodness of God to say, "Well, God I didn't spend time preparing myself for my service or work today so bless my 'weakness' and show your power!" He may well let you fall flat on your face, and perhaps He ought to! We must never think that we can 'sin and grin,' mistakenly thinking that His grace gives us permission to live sinfully and yet enjoy immunity to the consequences of our actions. Indeed the Word says, "Well then, should we keep on sinning so that God can show us more and more of his wonderful grace? Of course not! " (Romans 6:1-2, NLT)
There is plenty of weakness in me even on my best days, even when I've diligently done all that I can do. The Lord expects diligence and discipline in my life. But, He also knows the flaws in my fallen nature that make me prone to sin, to weakness. When I am truly weakened by sin, by the actions of others, by a surprise attack of the World, the Flesh, or the Devil- I can rest in His promise that at the very point of my weakness, God's power will be released.
Feeling spiritually weak today?
Battered by circumstances that you can't control?
Overwhelmed by the need around you?
Fighting what looks like a losing war with temptation?
Take this passage to heart and thank God for His Mighty Power which finds a way into your life right at the point of your weakness!
"It started when God said, "Light up the darkness!"
and our lives filled up with light as we saw and understood God in the face of Christ, all bright and beautiful. If you only look at us, you might well miss the brightness. We carry this precious Message around in the unadorned clay pots of our ordinary lives. That’s to prevent anyone from confusing God’s incomparable power with us. As it is, there’s not much chance of that.
You know for yourselves that we’re not much to look at. " (2 Corinthians 4:6-8, The Message)
_______________________________
I sing the mighty power of God,
That made the mountains rise;
That spread the flowin' seas abroad,
And build the lofty skies.
I sing the wisdom that ordained
The sun to rule the day;
The moon shines full at His command,
And all the stars obey.
I sing the goodness of the Lord,
That filled the earth with food;
He formed the creatures with His word,
And then pronounced them good.
Lord, how Thy wonders are displayed,
Where'er I turn my eye;
If I survey the ground I tread,
Or gaze upon the sky.
There's not a plant or flow'r below
But makes Thy glories known,
And clouds arise and tempests blow,
By order from Thy throne.
While all that borrows life from Thee
Is ever in Thy care;
And everywhere that man can be,
Thou, God, art present there.
I Sing the Mighty Power, Isaac Watts© Public Domain
Paul, the apostle, was privileged to receive great revelations in the Spirit. Pride is so common and such a detriment to effectiveness in God's work. So, to keep him humble and prayerful, God allowed him to have an ongoing weakness, the nature of which we can only guess at today. But the 'why' of that weakness is perfectly clear! Take a look. "... to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud. Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. Each time he said, "My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness." So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong." (2 Corinthians 12:7-10, NLT)
What a paradox! At the point of our weakness, God finds an opening to show us how dependent we are on the power of the Spirit and to show the world how strong He is at work in and through us. Now, it is true that the Enemy attempts to exploit those weaknesses, too! But, if we acknowledge them and present them to the Lord instead of trying to hide them or put a spin on them to make them look good, He can use our very weaknesses for the display of His glory! He is often revealed in our lives not because of what we consider our strength, but in spite of what we think is our weakness. Even our sin becomes an opportunity for the amazing grace of Christ to be displayed. You think I'm making that up? It's the Bible truth. "The law was added so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more, so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." (Romans 5:20-21, NIV)
None of the above should be misconstrued as an endorsement of courting failure, allowing poor preparation, or flagrantly breaking God's law! It is foolishness and presumption on the grace and goodness of God to say, "Well, God I didn't spend time preparing myself for my service or work today so bless my 'weakness' and show your power!" He may well let you fall flat on your face, and perhaps He ought to! We must never think that we can 'sin and grin,' mistakenly thinking that His grace gives us permission to live sinfully and yet enjoy immunity to the consequences of our actions. Indeed the Word says, "Well then, should we keep on sinning so that God can show us more and more of his wonderful grace? Of course not! " (Romans 6:1-2, NLT)
There is plenty of weakness in me even on my best days, even when I've diligently done all that I can do. The Lord expects diligence and discipline in my life. But, He also knows the flaws in my fallen nature that make me prone to sin, to weakness. When I am truly weakened by sin, by the actions of others, by a surprise attack of the World, the Flesh, or the Devil- I can rest in His promise that at the very point of my weakness, God's power will be released.
Feeling spiritually weak today?
Battered by circumstances that you can't control?
Overwhelmed by the need around you?
Fighting what looks like a losing war with temptation?
Take this passage to heart and thank God for His Mighty Power which finds a way into your life right at the point of your weakness!
"It started when God said, "Light up the darkness!"
and our lives filled up with light as we saw and understood God in the face of Christ, all bright and beautiful. If you only look at us, you might well miss the brightness. We carry this precious Message around in the unadorned clay pots of our ordinary lives. That’s to prevent anyone from confusing God’s incomparable power with us. As it is, there’s not much chance of that.
You know for yourselves that we’re not much to look at. " (2 Corinthians 4:6-8, The Message)
_______________________________
I sing the mighty power of God,
That made the mountains rise;
That spread the flowin' seas abroad,
And build the lofty skies.
I sing the wisdom that ordained
The sun to rule the day;
The moon shines full at His command,
And all the stars obey.
I sing the goodness of the Lord,
That filled the earth with food;
He formed the creatures with His word,
And then pronounced them good.
Lord, how Thy wonders are displayed,
Where'er I turn my eye;
If I survey the ground I tread,
Or gaze upon the sky.
There's not a plant or flow'r below
But makes Thy glories known,
And clouds arise and tempests blow,
By order from Thy throne.
While all that borrows life from Thee
Is ever in Thy care;
And everywhere that man can be,
Thou, God, art present there.
I Sing the Mighty Power, Isaac Watts© Public Domain
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