"So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown a perishable body, it is raised an imperishable body; it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; it is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body. So also it is written, 'the first man, Adam, became a living soul.' The last Adam became a life-giving spirit." I Cor 15:42-45
"For this perishable must put on the imperishable, and this mortal must put on immortality." - I Cor 15:53
"Better is a little with the fear of the Lord, than great treasure and turmoil with it. Better is a dish of vegetables where love is, than a fattened ox served with hatred." - Proverbs 15:16-17
Just as you have an earthly body, you also have a spiritual body. Has that occurred to you lately?
C.S. Lewis talks about it often. In Mere Christianity, I remember him talking about our spiritual bodies, and how in heaven we will be so glorious that we may be tempted to worship each other, like men did with angels in the Bible. People pay much attention to their earthly bodies, because they are visible and they say much about us. It's more difficult to pay attention to our spiritual bodies, to train them and shape them as we do our earthly bodies even though they say much more about us than our earthy bodies. I think that's one reason why Paul's exhortation is so strong in this chapter, because he knows the stakes of trading a spiritual focus for an earthly one.
More than anything, I Corinthians 15 is about resurrection. Apparently some members of the Corinthian church were preaching that there is no resurrection of the dead. Paul didn't take kindly to that teaching because resurrection is central to Christianity: "and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins" (17).
Of course Jesus' resurrection is the central event of the world's history, the greatest victory ever recorded and the source of our meaning and salvation. When we think about resurrection, though, we usually think only of Jesus' resurrection and not of our own. It is extremely important to our right perspective, though, to recognize that we will be resurrected and we will take on a spiritual body someday soon, after the pattern of Jesus, the last Adam. That right perspective allows us to emphasize less the struggles of today, and have peace looking forward to the future. "Putting on" the imperishable, recognizing our immortality, gives us the perspective we need to be what Pew wants, to be noticeably different from everybody else.
I encourage you to renew your mind and put on your immortality today. Try to actively remember that you will live forever with Jesus, and see if it doesn't change how this Friday goes.
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!
Powell
October 29, 2010
October 28, 2010
Proverbs 14 and 1 Corinthians 14
The wicked really have it coming to them, don't they?
Whether it is evident in this life, or not; ultimately, the wicked will not find peace.
"The wicked are crushed by disaster, but the godly have a refuge when they die" -Prov. 14:32
Though it is not always evident, as luxuries, successful business, and a high-lifestyle may mask a person's destruction, considering that people are viewing the wicked through earthly eyes. They may find comfort in only the tangibles of life, rather than the goodness and righteousness of our God.
This is where fearing the Lord, being afraid of his discipline, like a good and loving Father, really comes in handy to check yourself on the world's expectations for you.
"Fear of the Lord is a life-giving fountain; it offers escape from the snares of death." Prov. 14:27.
And they are snares.
Subtle, imperceptible, hidden, snares. They snag you out of nowhere. You didn't even see it coming. May be it is a pride issue, or greed, but it always is a condition of the heart. Some place where you will let no one else in. Fearing the Lord is a life-giving fountain.
When others buck at the word "fear" because it connotes timidity, submission, and weakness, we as Christians know that fearing the Lord gives you strength, perseverance, and a level-headed outlook.
Pride will lead to destruction. It is the hubris of man that leaves him isolated, bitter, and starving for more.
The Lord is Good! Fear him today men!
-Walker
Whether it is evident in this life, or not; ultimately, the wicked will not find peace.
"The wicked are crushed by disaster, but the godly have a refuge when they die" -Prov. 14:32
Though it is not always evident, as luxuries, successful business, and a high-lifestyle may mask a person's destruction, considering that people are viewing the wicked through earthly eyes. They may find comfort in only the tangibles of life, rather than the goodness and righteousness of our God.
This is where fearing the Lord, being afraid of his discipline, like a good and loving Father, really comes in handy to check yourself on the world's expectations for you.
"Fear of the Lord is a life-giving fountain; it offers escape from the snares of death." Prov. 14:27.
And they are snares.
Subtle, imperceptible, hidden, snares. They snag you out of nowhere. You didn't even see it coming. May be it is a pride issue, or greed, but it always is a condition of the heart. Some place where you will let no one else in. Fearing the Lord is a life-giving fountain.
When others buck at the word "fear" because it connotes timidity, submission, and weakness, we as Christians know that fearing the Lord gives you strength, perseverance, and a level-headed outlook.
Pride will lead to destruction. It is the hubris of man that leaves him isolated, bitter, and starving for more.
The Lord is Good! Fear him today men!
-Walker
October 27, 2010
Proverbs 13 and I Corinthians 13
Proverbs is filled with so many wise does and dont's that sometimes it is difficult to really grasp every one of them. There was not a specific one that jumped out at me today but the perspective that I got from chapter 13 was about that we should be humble. Humility from accepting advice (v18) or not taking everything for yourself but leaving some for the love of your children (v22). What a difficult concept to act upon at all hours of the day. That kind of leads us straight into 1 Corinthians....
"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres." - I Cor 13:4-7
How many times have we heard that? Better yet, how many times have we heard this one?
"He answered: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'" - Luke 10:27
Love is the biggest part of being a Follower of Christ but it's not just any kind of love it's humble love. Show others, showing the Lord and even showing yourself humbled love is the key to being closer to God. Paul talked about how he could preach all these different things and even move mountains but if he was not doing it out of love then how meaningless it was! Jesus Christ came to this earth, humbled himself into a filthy sty to poor parents and then gave up His life in one of the cruellest ways in history. Now get this y'all, He did it for the glory of the Lord and because His love for you, with a type of love that we will never be able to replicate or even truly imagine. Do everything out of love and have faith in Jesus and His love for you and you will be rewarded with the free gift of partying with Him in Heaven forever!
"And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love." - I Cor 13:13
Be humble stewards of love today men!
Pew
"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres." - I Cor 13:4-7
How many times have we heard that? Better yet, how many times have we heard this one?
"He answered: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'" - Luke 10:27
Love is the biggest part of being a Follower of Christ but it's not just any kind of love it's humble love. Show others, showing the Lord and even showing yourself humbled love is the key to being closer to God. Paul talked about how he could preach all these different things and even move mountains but if he was not doing it out of love then how meaningless it was! Jesus Christ came to this earth, humbled himself into a filthy sty to poor parents and then gave up His life in one of the cruellest ways in history. Now get this y'all, He did it for the glory of the Lord and because His love for you, with a type of love that we will never be able to replicate or even truly imagine. Do everything out of love and have faith in Jesus and His love for you and you will be rewarded with the free gift of partying with Him in Heaven forever!
"And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love." - I Cor 13:13
Be humble stewards of love today men!
Pew
October 26, 2010
Proverbs 12 and I Corinthians 12
"But God has so composed the body, giving more abundant honor to that member which lacked, so that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it." I Cor. 12:24(b)-26
"[N]o one speaking by the Spirit of God says, "Jesus is accursed"; and no one can say, "Jesus is Lord," except by the Holy Spirit." - I Cor 12:3
"A man will not be established by wickedness, But the root of the righteous will not be moved." - Prov 12:3
This morning's reading in Corinthians dealt with spiritual gifts. Remember last night we talked about how spiritual gifts are one of those possible substitutes for the Lord; if elevated from being a useful tool to something to be coveted, they can get in the way of the most important thing in life: our relationship with Jesus. That was Paul's point in I Corinthians 12. We are part of the body of Christ, and our gifts are for the benefit of the body. It is unnatural for us to work against each other, for anything to come between the body and its head.
On the contrary, it is admirable and good for us to work together, to learn our function and value and rest in it. Paul launches into a metaphorical description of the parts of the body, talking about how none is more important than the others, but they all serve valuable functions. Again, obedience is consistent with rest. I like the idea of understanding my function and being satisfied enough to rest in it.
I think one theme we've developed since we started reading together - and I'd appreciate a reaction to this - is that having understanding of our function in the body breeds confidence and rest, and also frees us up to encourage each other and get behind each other's endeavors, like Jonathan's armor-bearer. It allows us to have rest because of our excellent foundation (Prov 10:25), precludes jealousy and malcontent among church members (I Cor 12), and allows us to deepen our roots in our relationship with the Lord (12:3 above).
I'm not sure that's a point that hasn't been made many times already, but I thought it was pertinent to today's reading and it was nice to put down a stone for something we've learned so far.
Oh, and I thought that verse in Corinthians was interesting, about calling on the Lord, because we talked about that last night too.
Run in such a way as to win that imperishable crown today!
Powell
"[N]o one speaking by the Spirit of God says, "Jesus is accursed"; and no one can say, "Jesus is Lord," except by the Holy Spirit." - I Cor 12:3
"A man will not be established by wickedness, But the root of the righteous will not be moved." - Prov 12:3
This morning's reading in Corinthians dealt with spiritual gifts. Remember last night we talked about how spiritual gifts are one of those possible substitutes for the Lord; if elevated from being a useful tool to something to be coveted, they can get in the way of the most important thing in life: our relationship with Jesus. That was Paul's point in I Corinthians 12. We are part of the body of Christ, and our gifts are for the benefit of the body. It is unnatural for us to work against each other, for anything to come between the body and its head.
On the contrary, it is admirable and good for us to work together, to learn our function and value and rest in it. Paul launches into a metaphorical description of the parts of the body, talking about how none is more important than the others, but they all serve valuable functions. Again, obedience is consistent with rest. I like the idea of understanding my function and being satisfied enough to rest in it.
I think one theme we've developed since we started reading together - and I'd appreciate a reaction to this - is that having understanding of our function in the body breeds confidence and rest, and also frees us up to encourage each other and get behind each other's endeavors, like Jonathan's armor-bearer. It allows us to have rest because of our excellent foundation (Prov 10:25), precludes jealousy and malcontent among church members (I Cor 12), and allows us to deepen our roots in our relationship with the Lord (12:3 above).
I'm not sure that's a point that hasn't been made many times already, but I thought it was pertinent to today's reading and it was nice to put down a stone for something we've learned so far.
Oh, and I thought that verse in Corinthians was interesting, about calling on the Lord, because we talked about that last night too.
Run in such a way as to win that imperishable crown today!
Powell
October 22, 2010
Proverbs 8 and I Corinthians 8
"To you, O men, I call, And my voice is to the sons of men. O naive ones, understand prudence; And, O fools, understand wisdom. Listen, for I will speak noble things; and the opening of my lips will reveal right things." - Proverbs 8:4-6
"Knowledge makes arrogant, but love edifies. If anyone supposes that he knows anything, he has not yet known as he ought to know, but if anyone loves God, he is known by Him." -I Corinthians 8:1-3
Proverbs continues to speak of the virtues and the continuous call of wisdom. Solomon strongly advocates seeking wisdom, on the one hand extolling its rewards and on the other issuing a strong warning against ignoring it. Among the rewards are riches and life, power and righteousness, honor and truth and knowledge. Despite that long list of virtues, nowhere does Solomon mention love and its relationship to wisdom.
In Corinthians 8, though, Paul tackles that relationship and foreshadows his monologue on love in chapter 13 as he explains one way to use knowledge in love. I think Paul wants to show the church one important way to act like the church, encouraging and building each other up. After all, we are the body, and we should function accordingly - in a healthy manner. A church body that attacks each other's consciences is like somebody with an autoimmune disease. You can quote me on that.
So this morning we were shown that knowledge is a powerful tool, but that it can be misused. Since we know God, we know love. Therefore our knowledge, just like all of our other gifts, can and should be leveraged for the encouragement of the church body.
Have a great weekend. I look forward to seeing you guys Monday. Including Bobby and Ryan.
Powell
"Knowledge makes arrogant, but love edifies. If anyone supposes that he knows anything, he has not yet known as he ought to know, but if anyone loves God, he is known by Him." -I Corinthians 8:1-3
Proverbs continues to speak of the virtues and the continuous call of wisdom. Solomon strongly advocates seeking wisdom, on the one hand extolling its rewards and on the other issuing a strong warning against ignoring it. Among the rewards are riches and life, power and righteousness, honor and truth and knowledge. Despite that long list of virtues, nowhere does Solomon mention love and its relationship to wisdom.
In Corinthians 8, though, Paul tackles that relationship and foreshadows his monologue on love in chapter 13 as he explains one way to use knowledge in love. I think Paul wants to show the church one important way to act like the church, encouraging and building each other up. After all, we are the body, and we should function accordingly - in a healthy manner. A church body that attacks each other's consciences is like somebody with an autoimmune disease. You can quote me on that.
So this morning we were shown that knowledge is a powerful tool, but that it can be misused. Since we know God, we know love. Therefore our knowledge, just like all of our other gifts, can and should be leveraged for the encouragement of the church body.
Have a great weekend. I look forward to seeing you guys Monday. Including Bobby and Ryan.
Powell
October 21, 2010
Proverbs 7 and 1 Corinthians 7
So listen to me, my sons, and pay attention to my words. Don't let your hearts stray away toward her. Don't wander down her wayward path. For she has been the ruin of many; many men have been her victims. Her house is the road to the grave. Her bedroom is the den of death.
What a dumb, dumb man. But isn't that all of us?
We get ensnared by all sorts of things that attract or attention, pull us with some cheap allure. And there is another person, a friend, that sees us wandering to our death. They see the trap, see our first steps, and know exactly what's going to happen. This is the "Path Principle," as Andy Stanley calls it.
The power of pornography resonates here. At first, you think there is no harm in it, then it becomes an absolute nightmare. Others can see where you are headed, but you are blinded. Soon, it becomes addicting. Healthy relationships can become strained. Your only deliverance is your dependence on God. That is the Good News.
Lust and infidelity are obviously at the forefront in this chapter, but the text can be taken to show any trivial, flesh-driven desire that takes us off the path we are on, and onto one that leads to destruction.
What is encouraging is that someone normally sees the path you are headed down. So, I invite you, friends, speak up! Rattle the cage. Let me know when I will perish from worldly allure.
It is the strong words from a friends, and the loving hand of God that can deliver you from darkness.
1 Corinthians 7 was a great tie in to focus on the duties of a husband and wife. To stay true to them. To please them. Lust for others will destroy you marriage and what you've created.
Walker
What a dumb, dumb man. But isn't that all of us?
We get ensnared by all sorts of things that attract or attention, pull us with some cheap allure. And there is another person, a friend, that sees us wandering to our death. They see the trap, see our first steps, and know exactly what's going to happen. This is the "Path Principle," as Andy Stanley calls it.
The power of pornography resonates here. At first, you think there is no harm in it, then it becomes an absolute nightmare. Others can see where you are headed, but you are blinded. Soon, it becomes addicting. Healthy relationships can become strained. Your only deliverance is your dependence on God. That is the Good News.
Lust and infidelity are obviously at the forefront in this chapter, but the text can be taken to show any trivial, flesh-driven desire that takes us off the path we are on, and onto one that leads to destruction.
What is encouraging is that someone normally sees the path you are headed down. So, I invite you, friends, speak up! Rattle the cage. Let me know when I will perish from worldly allure.
It is the strong words from a friends, and the loving hand of God that can deliver you from darkness.
1 Corinthians 7 was a great tie in to focus on the duties of a husband and wife. To stay true to them. To please them. Lust for others will destroy you marriage and what you've created.
Walker
October 20, 2010
Proverbs 6 and 1 Corinthians 6
Is it just me or does it seem like adultery was running rampant in ancient Israel? There are those constant warnings to watch out for those kinds of women and that young men should not fall into their trap. What a different mindset than this one the world has now. Adultery is looked at as being not that big of a deal today. Just another means to do whatever makes you happy.
Too bad God hates that kind of crap. In fact He hates 6 things and finds one more to completely disgusting. If I had to narrow down the things I hated into a list of 6 I can guarantee that it would look nothing like that. Just shows what God's priorities are and how He wishes that we would live our lives. Too bad we suck at living our lives completely how we should. Thank Jesus that He gave us a second chance and mercy for our stupidity and unwillingness to truly separate from the world.
Let's chat about Paul for a second. These Corinthians just don't seem to have ever gotten what Paul was teaching from the beginning. They seemed to being doing, well, the same things that we are doing today. What is it with people that have been dead for 2,000 years struggled and failed with the same temptations and sins that we deal with today. Maybe this time we can learn from them and finally listen to what we should do.
"And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. " - 1 Cor 6:11
Be thankful, be humble, be men of God today.
Pew
Too bad God hates that kind of crap. In fact He hates 6 things and finds one more to completely disgusting. If I had to narrow down the things I hated into a list of 6 I can guarantee that it would look nothing like that. Just shows what God's priorities are and how He wishes that we would live our lives. Too bad we suck at living our lives completely how we should. Thank Jesus that He gave us a second chance and mercy for our stupidity and unwillingness to truly separate from the world.
Let's chat about Paul for a second. These Corinthians just don't seem to have ever gotten what Paul was teaching from the beginning. They seemed to being doing, well, the same things that we are doing today. What is it with people that have been dead for 2,000 years struggled and failed with the same temptations and sins that we deal with today. Maybe this time we can learn from them and finally listen to what we should do.
"And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. " - 1 Cor 6:11
Be thankful, be humble, be men of God today.
Pew
October 19, 2010
Proverbs 5 and I Corinthians 5
Hey guys.
I think today was my day this week, but I didn't write anything. Til now.
I think we can all follow Proverbs 5's advice from this morning. If not, then tell us and we'll cast you out from our midst:)
I really like the image of the "new lump" without any leaven. But I'd like to know what you think is leaven in the church. Obviously in light of the next few verses, Paul probably included willful, unrepentant sinners, but is that list of sins nonexclusive? When, in your opinion, does somebody cross the line from candidate for rehabilitation and grace to old leaven and now it's time to cast them out and let Satan deal with them? Because obviously the church is important and keeping the body healthy is important. We want a new lump.
Obey the Lord and have a peaceful, restful day.
Powell
I think today was my day this week, but I didn't write anything. Til now.
I think we can all follow Proverbs 5's advice from this morning. If not, then tell us and we'll cast you out from our midst:)
I really like the image of the "new lump" without any leaven. But I'd like to know what you think is leaven in the church. Obviously in light of the next few verses, Paul probably included willful, unrepentant sinners, but is that list of sins nonexclusive? When, in your opinion, does somebody cross the line from candidate for rehabilitation and grace to old leaven and now it's time to cast them out and let Satan deal with them? Because obviously the church is important and keeping the body healthy is important. We want a new lump.
Obey the Lord and have a peaceful, restful day.
Powell
October 18, 2010
Proverbs 4 and I Corinthians 4
"Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you thinks that he is wise in this age, he must become foolish, so that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness before God. For it is written, 'He is the one who catches the wise in their craftiness'; and again, 'The Lord knows the reasonings of the wise, that they are useless.'" - I Corinthians 3:18-20
"You are already filled, you have already become rich, you have become kings without us; and indeed, I wish that you had become kings so that we also might reign with you." - I Corinthians 4:8
"Let a man regard us in this manner, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God." - I Corinthians 4:1
A couple of things in particular stood out to me in this morning's reading.
1) In I Corinthians 4, Paul uses heavy sarcasm to admonish the Corinthians.
I think I'd heard before that Paul was sarcastic, but I never knew exactly where. It seems hilarious, in light of all those procedures that scribes used to go through to reproduce the Bible, that the original text was written by a grumpy-sounding, sarcastic man in a prison cell. We shouldn't be surprised, though, in light of the nature of God's rebuke to Job in Job 38-41. I think God's sense of humor gives rise to a little sarcasm at times. Please comment if you don't agree.
2) Although the Proverbs reading sets us up to value wisdom above all else, Paul tells us to disregard wisdom "in this age" another time in chapter 3.
I guess Paul is drawing a distinction between the world's wisdom and God's wisdom, because he does teach complete reliance on the Lord. I just wish he wouldn't use the word "wisdom" when speaking about the undesirable worldly wisdom. Maybe we could analyze this a little more tonight.
3) We are "stewards of the mysteries of God."
This is an interesting title for us to bear. I can't remember where the verse is that says that all knowledge comes from the Lord, but I'd like to put that one and this one together. I love that we have a personal relationship with the creator of all things and the keeper of all mysteries, and that we're devoting time to seeking Him out with all of His mysteries.
Amen, and Happy Manday
Powell
"You are already filled, you have already become rich, you have become kings without us; and indeed, I wish that you had become kings so that we also might reign with you." - I Corinthians 4:8
"Let a man regard us in this manner, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God." - I Corinthians 4:1
A couple of things in particular stood out to me in this morning's reading.
1) In I Corinthians 4, Paul uses heavy sarcasm to admonish the Corinthians.
I think I'd heard before that Paul was sarcastic, but I never knew exactly where. It seems hilarious, in light of all those procedures that scribes used to go through to reproduce the Bible, that the original text was written by a grumpy-sounding, sarcastic man in a prison cell. We shouldn't be surprised, though, in light of the nature of God's rebuke to Job in Job 38-41. I think God's sense of humor gives rise to a little sarcasm at times. Please comment if you don't agree.
2) Although the Proverbs reading sets us up to value wisdom above all else, Paul tells us to disregard wisdom "in this age" another time in chapter 3.
I guess Paul is drawing a distinction between the world's wisdom and God's wisdom, because he does teach complete reliance on the Lord. I just wish he wouldn't use the word "wisdom" when speaking about the undesirable worldly wisdom. Maybe we could analyze this a little more tonight.
3) We are "stewards of the mysteries of God."
This is an interesting title for us to bear. I can't remember where the verse is that says that all knowledge comes from the Lord, but I'd like to put that one and this one together. I love that we have a personal relationship with the creator of all things and the keeper of all mysteries, and that we're devoting time to seeking Him out with all of His mysteries.
Amen, and Happy Manday
Powell
October 15, 2010
Proverbs 1 and I Corinthians 1
"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge;
Fools despise wisdom and instruction." -Proverbs 1:7
"Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not come to know God, God was well-pleased through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe." - I Corinthians 1:20-21
There is a clear distinction between the wisdom of the world and the wisdom of God in both the Proverbs reading and in I Corinthians. In each case, the wisdom of God leads to life, love and peace, and the wisdom of the world leads to sin, death and destruction.
The problem for us is that they are completely incompatible. The two wisdoms repel each other and despise each other, and through the lens of one the other looks foolish.
Paul even said that his message was foolish, because God made it that way because it made Him happy. This makes it very difficult for us when we are try to succeed in the world while still fearing the Lord. Fearing the Lord, according to McArthur, is a state of being in which you seek to replace your will with the Lord's. So if we are not completely surrendered to Him on any given day, we're going to experience some psychological dissonance when we act in a way that isn't consistent with the Lord's foolish-looking wisdom.
Putting on God's wisdom, putting on Christ each morning is essential to reorienting our perception of the world's wisdom, because it is so persistent and invasive that when we don't fight it, it soaks in and permeates our thoughts, and then our beliefs. Reorientation by putting on Christ is a foundation of wisdom. I know that's easy to say in a vacuum, but we should talk on Monday about the best ways to accomplish that (besides what we're doing already).
Y'all have a great weekend, and fear the Lord!
Powell
Fools despise wisdom and instruction." -Proverbs 1:7
"Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not come to know God, God was well-pleased through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe." - I Corinthians 1:20-21
There is a clear distinction between the wisdom of the world and the wisdom of God in both the Proverbs reading and in I Corinthians. In each case, the wisdom of God leads to life, love and peace, and the wisdom of the world leads to sin, death and destruction.
The problem for us is that they are completely incompatible. The two wisdoms repel each other and despise each other, and through the lens of one the other looks foolish.
Paul even said that his message was foolish, because God made it that way because it made Him happy. This makes it very difficult for us when we are try to succeed in the world while still fearing the Lord. Fearing the Lord, according to McArthur, is a state of being in which you seek to replace your will with the Lord's. So if we are not completely surrendered to Him on any given day, we're going to experience some psychological dissonance when we act in a way that isn't consistent with the Lord's foolish-looking wisdom.
Putting on God's wisdom, putting on Christ each morning is essential to reorienting our perception of the world's wisdom, because it is so persistent and invasive that when we don't fight it, it soaks in and permeates our thoughts, and then our beliefs. Reorientation by putting on Christ is a foundation of wisdom. I know that's easy to say in a vacuum, but we should talk on Monday about the best ways to accomplish that (besides what we're doing already).
Y'all have a great weekend, and fear the Lord!
Powell
October 14, 2010
Stones
"We don't realize how many people have been sacrificed for us."
I'd like to reach back into Joshua, with the principle of leaving stones to mark the things God has done. I've been struggling with Saul's torture by a spirit from the Lord, and I think Saul as an example, as a stone makes sense of his experience.
1 Corinthians 10:6-11
1 Samuel 31 and Romans 16
Paul commits suicide so that he will not be tortured by the Philistines. His body is then mutilated and put on display as a sign of victory for the Philistines. But Israel's warriors retrieve Saul's body and give him a honorable burial. And so ends the reign of Saul and begins the Davidic line of kingship.
In Romans, Paul thanks and blesses everyone he knows in Rome by name. Here is the immensely relational side of Paul. His first salutation goes to a woman, Phoebe, and Paul even speaks to the character of every person as well as how he knows them, and what position they have in the early church. Here is the leader: thanking everyone by name, knowing that people have a "church that meets in their home," challenging and warning the Christians who look up to him.
"Now all glory to God, who is able to make you strong just as my Good News says. This message about Jesus Christ has reveal his plan for you Gentiles, a plan kept secret from the beginning of time. But now as the prophets foretold and as the eternal God has commanded, this message is made to known to all Gentiles everywhere, so that they too might believe and obey him." Romans 16: 25-26
The Good News of the gospel not only brings us salvation in the next life, but gives us strength in this life. Reminds me of a Jeremy Camp lyric, "You hung to make us strong."
And this grand plan to save humanity is now revealed, as it was hidden up until now. God has commanded it, the prophets have spoken it, and now the Jews and Gentiles may believe it.
Be strong today men.
Walker
In Romans, Paul thanks and blesses everyone he knows in Rome by name. Here is the immensely relational side of Paul. His first salutation goes to a woman, Phoebe, and Paul even speaks to the character of every person as well as how he knows them, and what position they have in the early church. Here is the leader: thanking everyone by name, knowing that people have a "church that meets in their home," challenging and warning the Christians who look up to him.
"Now all glory to God, who is able to make you strong just as my Good News says. This message about Jesus Christ has reveal his plan for you Gentiles, a plan kept secret from the beginning of time. But now as the prophets foretold and as the eternal God has commanded, this message is made to known to all Gentiles everywhere, so that they too might believe and obey him." Romans 16: 25-26
The Good News of the gospel not only brings us salvation in the next life, but gives us strength in this life. Reminds me of a Jeremy Camp lyric, "You hung to make us strong."
And this grand plan to save humanity is now revealed, as it was hidden up until now. God has commanded it, the prophets have spoken it, and now the Jews and Gentiles may believe it.
Be strong today men.
Walker
October 13, 2010
1 Samuel 29-30 and Romans 15
"May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ." - Romans 15:5-6
What a morning. David gets thrown out of the camp of the enemies because the Philistine leaders fear that he may turn against them. He then goes and beats up on a different enemy. Is it just me or is David a 'Rambo-ish' Old Testament guy?
There is one thing about the New Testament and most letters from Paul that always hits me rough. The fact that I'm a Gentile and that most Jews and early Christians didn't feel that we deserved Christ. Comforting that Paul went really out of his way to preach to our ancestors and give the Good News to everyone. I remember what Rob said last week about how we cannot recognize a Christian based upon race or appearance. Isn't that one of the best things about Christ? He doesn't hesitate to extend His hand to everyone, even Gentiles.
Yet again, I think God for the fact that He loves me, even if I'm a dirty sinning Gentile. I think that it would be appropriate to pray and thank God for that everytime we offer up praise, anger or requests to our Lord.
I'll leave you with this great blessing from Paul...
"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." - Romans 15:13
Live for Christ today,
Pew
What a morning. David gets thrown out of the camp of the enemies because the Philistine leaders fear that he may turn against them. He then goes and beats up on a different enemy. Is it just me or is David a 'Rambo-ish' Old Testament guy?
There is one thing about the New Testament and most letters from Paul that always hits me rough. The fact that I'm a Gentile and that most Jews and early Christians didn't feel that we deserved Christ. Comforting that Paul went really out of his way to preach to our ancestors and give the Good News to everyone. I remember what Rob said last week about how we cannot recognize a Christian based upon race or appearance. Isn't that one of the best things about Christ? He doesn't hesitate to extend His hand to everyone, even Gentiles.
Yet again, I think God for the fact that He loves me, even if I'm a dirty sinning Gentile. I think that it would be appropriate to pray and thank God for that everytime we offer up praise, anger or requests to our Lord.
I'll leave you with this great blessing from Paul...
"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." - Romans 15:13
Live for Christ today,
Pew
October 12, 2010
John Eldredge - the Heart of the King
http://www.ransomedheart.com/more_dailyreading.aspx?id=10/12/2010
This goes hand-in-hand with Pew's post this morning. It describes the heart of the king, how it should be. Notice especially the last sentence, and then contrast that with Saul's performance as king and Romans 14's definition of sin.
Side question: since God guides the heart of the king and he sent an evil spirit to torture Saul, is it possible that God guided Saul to become like he was in the end? Is that even worth getting into?
Powell
This goes hand-in-hand with Pew's post this morning. It describes the heart of the king, how it should be. Notice especially the last sentence, and then contrast that with Saul's performance as king and Romans 14's definition of sin.
Side question: since God guides the heart of the king and he sent an evil spirit to torture Saul, is it possible that God guided Saul to become like he was in the end? Is that even worth getting into?
Powell
1 Samuel 27-28 and Romans 14
Let me start with, quite possibly, the most terrifying statements of the fruition of a promise:
"The Lord will hand over both Israel and you to the Philistines, and tomorrow you and your sons will be with me. The Lord will also hand over the army of Israel to the Philistines." - 1 Samuel 28:19
No wonder Saul fell on the ground in complete fear! Samuel's spirit just told him that tomorrow you're dead. Oh yeah, all your sons and your army are going to be killed as well. That's rough stuff. The disobeying of God that Saul had exhibited throughout his reign was finally coming back to get him. If there is one thing that I can pull away from that it's that God is good and very good at keeping His word.
Thank God for Jesus though. Romans is so full of good stuff and challenging to our conciences. Last chapter about submitting to authorities of all kinds. Now Paul is telling us that God does not want us to judge others or condemn others. Yet again, another one of those sins that is not obvious like murder that does, probably, more damage in the heart and to our souls. Good thing we have something as humbling and comforting as this:
"For none of us lives to himself alone and non of us dies to himself alone. If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord." - Romans 14:7-8
We are His. We need to live for Him and leave the judging to Him, cause it's gonna suck when He asks you point-blank if you were judgemental and you have to say yes. It seems so simple yet more difficult as you catch yourself passing judgement or just disobeying God in general. I want to live for Christ and belong to Him and not be like Saul. "And everything that does not come from faith is sin." (Rom 14:23b).
Live for God gentleman. Not just today but everyday. Don't be like Saul and get slapped in the face with punishment but be grateful that He can forgive such a judgemental person like you and me.
Pew
"The Lord will hand over both Israel and you to the Philistines, and tomorrow you and your sons will be with me. The Lord will also hand over the army of Israel to the Philistines." - 1 Samuel 28:19
No wonder Saul fell on the ground in complete fear! Samuel's spirit just told him that tomorrow you're dead. Oh yeah, all your sons and your army are going to be killed as well. That's rough stuff. The disobeying of God that Saul had exhibited throughout his reign was finally coming back to get him. If there is one thing that I can pull away from that it's that God is good and very good at keeping His word.
Thank God for Jesus though. Romans is so full of good stuff and challenging to our conciences. Last chapter about submitting to authorities of all kinds. Now Paul is telling us that God does not want us to judge others or condemn others. Yet again, another one of those sins that is not obvious like murder that does, probably, more damage in the heart and to our souls. Good thing we have something as humbling and comforting as this:
"For none of us lives to himself alone and non of us dies to himself alone. If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord." - Romans 14:7-8
We are His. We need to live for Him and leave the judging to Him, cause it's gonna suck when He asks you point-blank if you were judgemental and you have to say yes. It seems so simple yet more difficult as you catch yourself passing judgement or just disobeying God in general. I want to live for Christ and belong to Him and not be like Saul. "And everything that does not come from faith is sin." (Rom 14:23b).
Live for God gentleman. Not just today but everyday. Don't be like Saul and get slapped in the face with punishment but be grateful that He can forgive such a judgemental person like you and me.
Pew
October 11, 2010
1 Samuel 25-26 and Romans 13
"Shall I then take my bread and my water and my meat that I have slaughtered for my shearers, and give it to men whose origin I do not know?" - 1 Samuel 25:11
"Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. Therefore, whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves." -Romans 13:1-2
"Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. Therefore, whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves." -Romans 13:1-2
"Then David said to Abigail, 'Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, who sent you this day to meet me, and blessed be your discernment, and blessed be you, who have kept me this day from bloodshed and avenging myself by my own hand." - 1 Samuel 25:32-33
"But in the morning, when the wine had gone out of Nabal, his wife told him these things, and his heart died within him so that he became as a stone. About ten days later, the Lord struck Nabal and he died." - 1 Samuel 25:37-38
"But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts." - Romans 13:14
Yall.
This was a rough morning for the right-wingers in the MG. In case you missed the point of chapter 25, it started with Nabal, a businessman, avoiding taxes due to King David. He rationalized by asking who David was (see 25:11 above), and why he should have to give his stuff up for him. It sounded like what we say about politicians, things like, "I didn't vote for that guy," or "I don't even know where he was born! He's probably breaking the law even holding a political office." As soon as I heard those words out of his mouth about his water and his meat, I knew he and I were both in trouble.
And then, as if it weren't clear enough, Paul comes in with his gloves off and drives home the message from 1 Samuel, telling us that authorities have been placed there by God (by God) and they therefore deserve our respect and submission.
I was so convicted. One of my friends told me once that he heard a sermon on submission to authority and he thought about me, because I so despise being told what to do and being forced to pay taxes and all. I'm even taking a tax class and considering going into business finding out how to do better what Nabal's heart died for this morning. I feel like this cornerback must have felt when the quarterback let him have both barrels. I have been patently rebellious; I have a selfish and defiant heart.
Anyway, the Word says that not only did Nabal die shortly afterward, but his heart died first. Ten days with a dead heart is ten days too many. I'd rather have a dead body than a dead heart.
I'm glad the Lord didn't just issue a sweeping rule against rebellion. Instead he modeled an alternative for us that was very attractive. Abigail acted with bold submission when she stuck up for her idiot husband against the king and his 400 men. She was such a strong woman that David asked her to marry him after Nabal died. This reminded me of Tyler (Daniels') point that women often play a role in leading men to the Lord. That's why it's so important to date and marry Christians if you are a Christian, but we can talk about that later.
Submission is central to Christianity. It is one thing that makes Jesus such a powerful figure, and highlights his divinity. Like Pew and Rob wrote earlier this week, Jesus allowing himself to be brought low into the world and submitting himself to death was the hallmark of his ministry and our salvation. If we can't take one step toward being submissive, we can't properly bear his name.
Bold submission is a topic for a book, not a blog post. Let's talk about it tonight.
Powell
October 9, 2010
Wonder of Grace
This past week of my Luke study involved going through the birth of Christ. Let me share something that MacArthur said about Jesus and the significance of His birth...
"When Jesus came into the world then He came in the most comfortless conditions...smelly, filthy...this is the wonder of grace though, isn't it? And this is part of the story that when God came down He came all the way down. He thought His equality with God was not something to be held on to but He gave it up and humbled Himself and He humbled Himself all the way down...not just to a stinking stable but to become a substitute for stinking sinners and bear the stench of our guilt in His own body. He came down to the poor and the lowly and the humble and the base and the wicked. He came down to the common people to bring His glorious salvation. It was fitting, in a sense, then that He was born in a stinking, smelly stable because what smelled far worse to the nostrils of God than the odor of animals is the odor of sinners. He sent the Savior all the way down into the lives of the lowly and the whole picture of that scene is a metaphor for the stench of sin which Jesus bore in His own body."
How awesome is that? He came down into this crap hole to give us hope, bring grace and offer the free gift of salvation! That's just good stuff guys.
Pew
"When Jesus came into the world then He came in the most comfortless conditions...smelly, filthy...this is the wonder of grace though, isn't it? And this is part of the story that when God came down He came all the way down. He thought His equality with God was not something to be held on to but He gave it up and humbled Himself and He humbled Himself all the way down...not just to a stinking stable but to become a substitute for stinking sinners and bear the stench of our guilt in His own body. He came down to the poor and the lowly and the humble and the base and the wicked. He came down to the common people to bring His glorious salvation. It was fitting, in a sense, then that He was born in a stinking, smelly stable because what smelled far worse to the nostrils of God than the odor of animals is the odor of sinners. He sent the Savior all the way down into the lives of the lowly and the whole picture of that scene is a metaphor for the stench of sin which Jesus bore in His own body."
How awesome is that? He came down into this crap hole to give us hope, bring grace and offer the free gift of salvation! That's just good stuff guys.
Pew
October 8, 2010
I Samuel 21-22 and Romans 11
"Then the king said to Doeg, 'You turn around and attack the priests.' And Doeg the Edomite turned around and attacked the priests, and he killed that day eighty-five men who wore the linen ephod." -1 Samuel 22:18
"You will say then, 'Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.' Quite right, they were broken off for their unbelief, but you stand by your faith." - Romans 11:19
"Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways! For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who became His counselor? Or who has first given to Him, that it might be paid back to him again? For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen." - Romans 11:33-35
This was not the best day for Israel. Not only were 85 of their priests slaughtered just for harboring the one man the Bible says was after the Lord's own heart, but the olive branches are getting popped off and discarded only to be replaced with adoptive branches.
So David was on the lam, running from the dethroned king, and took refuge in the temple where he ate the consecrated bread. I thought that may have had some analog to communion, but I don't think it does.
I thought one interesting image through 1 Samuel this morning was that although God has been such an intervening force throughout David's short career as king-to-be, He doesn't seem to take a lot of action in these two chapters. To me, it appeared as if the only thing He actively did was grant permission for David to eat the consecrated bread (if that is active). Contrast that with Goliath's sword, the sign of deliverance of which David was reminded when the priest gave it to him, and if I were David I'd feel like the Lord had abandoned me and disliked me overall. I would have come to that conclusion.
Instead, David rolled with the punches. He even heard about the slaughter of the 85 priests, claimed responsibility, and then reaffirmed that his people were safe with him (22:22-23). He trusted God to deliver him and his men from death, even though he knew good and well that the priests couldn't have done the same. McArthur says the priests had to die to complete the curse on Eli's house. Whatever it was, it was ugly.
Romans was a little disturbing this morning, to me. Although I'm grateful, it's always hard for me to get used to the slight anti-Gentile angle the NT takes. Even when Jesus compared us to dogs that can't eat at the table, and the lady said yes but even dogs get scraps, I may have been a little put off. But I like this illustration anyway, where we are grafted onto the church and become its branches. We'll have to explore this a little further on Manday. I mean Monday.
The prayer at the end sums us up. I think it speaks for itself. I suggest that if you read this far, you'll be willing to pray that prayer at your desk, maybe even under your breath, and just let the Lord know you love him.
Powell
"You will say then, 'Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.' Quite right, they were broken off for their unbelief, but you stand by your faith." - Romans 11:19
"Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways! For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who became His counselor? Or who has first given to Him, that it might be paid back to him again? For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen." - Romans 11:33-35
This was not the best day for Israel. Not only were 85 of their priests slaughtered just for harboring the one man the Bible says was after the Lord's own heart, but the olive branches are getting popped off and discarded only to be replaced with adoptive branches.
So David was on the lam, running from the dethroned king, and took refuge in the temple where he ate the consecrated bread. I thought that may have had some analog to communion, but I don't think it does.
I thought one interesting image through 1 Samuel this morning was that although God has been such an intervening force throughout David's short career as king-to-be, He doesn't seem to take a lot of action in these two chapters. To me, it appeared as if the only thing He actively did was grant permission for David to eat the consecrated bread (if that is active). Contrast that with Goliath's sword, the sign of deliverance of which David was reminded when the priest gave it to him, and if I were David I'd feel like the Lord had abandoned me and disliked me overall. I would have come to that conclusion.
Instead, David rolled with the punches. He even heard about the slaughter of the 85 priests, claimed responsibility, and then reaffirmed that his people were safe with him (22:22-23). He trusted God to deliver him and his men from death, even though he knew good and well that the priests couldn't have done the same. McArthur says the priests had to die to complete the curse on Eli's house. Whatever it was, it was ugly.
Romans was a little disturbing this morning, to me. Although I'm grateful, it's always hard for me to get used to the slight anti-Gentile angle the NT takes. Even when Jesus compared us to dogs that can't eat at the table, and the lady said yes but even dogs get scraps, I may have been a little put off. But I like this illustration anyway, where we are grafted onto the church and become its branches. We'll have to explore this a little further on Manday. I mean Monday.
The prayer at the end sums us up. I think it speaks for itself. I suggest that if you read this far, you'll be willing to pray that prayer at your desk, maybe even under your breath, and just let the Lord know you love him.
Powell
October 7, 2010
1 Samuel 19-20 and Romans 10
"And that message is the very message about faith that we preach: If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." Romans 10: 8-9
So much good stuff today. The pact between Jonathan and David, and the way to receive salvation in Christ.
I will focus on the latter, because theologically, it's way better.
There is good news. We are no longer bound by the law, for Christ has accomplished the law. The tedium, walking on egg shells, and justification through behavior is gone. There is nothing you can do to earn it. It is yours for the taking, all you have to do is believe in your heart and confess with your tongue and you will be saved.
MORE good news. This gift from God to the world is not limited to one type of group in one moment in time. God releases this gift to everyone in all corners of the earth. In fact, he will use the people (The Gentiles) who historically have not believed, as examples of his inclusive love.
"I was found by people who were not looking for me. I showed myself to those who were not asking for me." Isaiah 65:1.
Can you pick out a Christian walking down the street?
Do they all look exactly the same?
No.
Why?
Because God's love extends to all people, in all cultures, at all times.
If love is the strongest bond, why do we try to earn it? Why do we think it's conditional?
On the "religious" continuum, the left says, "Do good." The right says, "Be good." And in the middle is Christ, who lovingly says, "You are not good. You need me to stand before the throne of God confidently, for your are dead in your sins, but my death has covered your debt."
Rest in the fact that you can not be good enough, or do enough good things to be justified. You are deeply loved the way you are- sinful, but made in the glorious image of God our Creator.
Walker
So much good stuff today. The pact between Jonathan and David, and the way to receive salvation in Christ.
I will focus on the latter, because theologically, it's way better.
There is good news. We are no longer bound by the law, for Christ has accomplished the law. The tedium, walking on egg shells, and justification through behavior is gone. There is nothing you can do to earn it. It is yours for the taking, all you have to do is believe in your heart and confess with your tongue and you will be saved.
MORE good news. This gift from God to the world is not limited to one type of group in one moment in time. God releases this gift to everyone in all corners of the earth. In fact, he will use the people (The Gentiles) who historically have not believed, as examples of his inclusive love.
"I was found by people who were not looking for me. I showed myself to those who were not asking for me." Isaiah 65:1.
Can you pick out a Christian walking down the street?
Do they all look exactly the same?
No.
Why?
Because God's love extends to all people, in all cultures, at all times.
If love is the strongest bond, why do we try to earn it? Why do we think it's conditional?
On the "religious" continuum, the left says, "Do good." The right says, "Be good." And in the middle is Christ, who lovingly says, "You are not good. You need me to stand before the throne of God confidently, for your are dead in your sins, but my death has covered your debt."
Rest in the fact that you can not be good enough, or do enough good things to be justified. You are deeply loved the way you are- sinful, but made in the glorious image of God our Creator.
Walker
October 6, 2010
1 Samuel 17-18 and Romans 9
"It does not, therefore, depend on man's desire or effort, but on God's mercy" - Romans 9:16
That pretty much sums up Christianity right there. If it was not for God's mercy in this salvation story then none of us, and I mean each and every one of us, would not be worthy of His free gift. How comforting it is to know that it truly is God and His Son who act on our behalf to save us. As a man I try day in and day out to prove to myself and to others that I am worthy. Worthy to be called a 'sports-nut', a 'real man' or even just worthy enough to be called a 'follower of Christ'. That's all well and good y'all but nothing we do compares to what He freely gives. Mercy, salvation and eternal life.
Leads me to a little bit here on Saul, or as I like to call him Wild E. Coyote, and David. We have all read and heard and colored the little pictures in Sunday School of David versus Goliath. That is a story that transcends all time and even those who do not follow Christ. It is such a common story that even Bobby Petrino refered to his Arkansas football team as Goliath leading up to their game against Saban's Alabama. By the end of the game Arkansas had fallen flat on their faces and were beheaded just like Goliath so I'm still confused as to why Petrino would choose that example, but I digress. David put his faith in the Lord and was rewarded with victory. The Lord was with David and Saul noticed such and then started setting up an elaborate set of pulleys and anvils to try and eliminate David. Even David's brother resented him before he had even won the battle, "I know how conceited you are and how wicked your heart is" (1 Sam 17:28), talk about a demoralizing pep-talk before battle! Saul and Eliab's jealousy of David seems so over-the-top but it's something I do everyday. Somebody else gets more praise at work than I believe they deserve or they just got included in a meeting and I didn't so I resent them for it.
Hopefully I never get so jealous as to use my daughter as a bargaining chip to try to kill a kid that I don't like. But see, that story of Saul resenting and being jealous of David is exactly why I need the mercy of God. I fall short everyday but thanks be to God for having hope and mercy on me! May we all keep that in mind when jealousy starts to creep in or when we start bickering about why a certain one was chosen by God or why God allowed something to happen. We are all chosen by God to follow Him and to put all our faith in Christ Jesus so that in the end we can receive peace, eternal life and a true future!
Rock on for the Lord!
-Pew
That pretty much sums up Christianity right there. If it was not for God's mercy in this salvation story then none of us, and I mean each and every one of us, would not be worthy of His free gift. How comforting it is to know that it truly is God and His Son who act on our behalf to save us. As a man I try day in and day out to prove to myself and to others that I am worthy. Worthy to be called a 'sports-nut', a 'real man' or even just worthy enough to be called a 'follower of Christ'. That's all well and good y'all but nothing we do compares to what He freely gives. Mercy, salvation and eternal life.
Leads me to a little bit here on Saul, or as I like to call him Wild E. Coyote, and David. We have all read and heard and colored the little pictures in Sunday School of David versus Goliath. That is a story that transcends all time and even those who do not follow Christ. It is such a common story that even Bobby Petrino refered to his Arkansas football team as Goliath leading up to their game against Saban's Alabama. By the end of the game Arkansas had fallen flat on their faces and were beheaded just like Goliath so I'm still confused as to why Petrino would choose that example, but I digress. David put his faith in the Lord and was rewarded with victory. The Lord was with David and Saul noticed such and then started setting up an elaborate set of pulleys and anvils to try and eliminate David. Even David's brother resented him before he had even won the battle, "I know how conceited you are and how wicked your heart is" (1 Sam 17:28), talk about a demoralizing pep-talk before battle! Saul and Eliab's jealousy of David seems so over-the-top but it's something I do everyday. Somebody else gets more praise at work than I believe they deserve or they just got included in a meeting and I didn't so I resent them for it.
Hopefully I never get so jealous as to use my daughter as a bargaining chip to try to kill a kid that I don't like. But see, that story of Saul resenting and being jealous of David is exactly why I need the mercy of God. I fall short everyday but thanks be to God for having hope and mercy on me! May we all keep that in mind when jealousy starts to creep in or when we start bickering about why a certain one was chosen by God or why God allowed something to happen. We are all chosen by God to follow Him and to put all our faith in Christ Jesus so that in the end we can receive peace, eternal life and a true future!
Rock on for the Lord!
-Pew
October 5, 2010
October 4, 2010
1 Samuel 9-14 and Romans 5-7
"You must not turn aside, for then you would go after futile things which cannot profit or deliver, because they are futile. For the Lord has been pleased to make you a people for Himself." -1 Sam 13:21-22
"His armor bearer said to him, 'Do all that is in your heart; turn yourself, and here I am with you according to your desire." -1 Sam 14:7
"Consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus." - Rm 6:11
"For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law but under grace." -Rm 6:14
"But now we have been released from the Law, having died to that by which we were bound, so that we serve in newness of the Spirit and not in oldness of the letter." -Rm 7:6
"I find then the principle that evil is present in me, the one who wants to do good. For I joyfully concur with the law of God in the inner man, but I see a different law in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin which is in my members." -Rm 7:21-22
I got behind in our reading this weekend because my priorities weren't in order, so now I have to skimp on the awesomest part of this week's reading. :d
Highlights are the appointment of Saul as king, and a description of much of his pre-David term. Also Jonathan's victory over the Philistines and the first time Saul makes an Ahab-like promise to kill somebody. Romans, as always, is great. These three chapters dealt with the nature of sin and our struggle with the flesh, describing one unpleasant effect of the division of the spirit, soul and body.
There are a couple things that stood out that I would like to point out. First of all, the reappearance of the phrase, "Here I am," this time from the armor-bearer that helped Jonathan strike terror into the hearts of the Philistines by killing twenty of them in open combat. Week before last we talked about community, and how simply getting behind somebody and supporting them in whatever the Lord is doing in their life is a good way for the body to conduct itself. The phrase, "here I am" is a perfect example of that principle. Samuel tells the Lord that he is available to follow Him and the armor-bearer tells Jonathan he is willing to support him. There is another example from this week's reading that I can't remember. If someone else does, please post a comment.
Romans spoke early and often about faith and obedience leading to life, and disobedience and sin leading to death. Paul made clear that he wasn't issuing advice, but simply announcing a syllogism. Saul's term as king illustrates Paul's point.
After he poorly chose to offer a sacrifice to the Lord without waiting for Samuel, Paul got more and more reactionary and more and more agitated. His sin of impatience and desire for control over his kingdom became more and more grotesque, and in this passage almost led to his son's death (1 Samuel 14:44). Saul's disobedience almost directly led to his son's death, and will eventually lead to his own death.
And then, Jesus. Romans counters all of that sin, death and disobedience talk with the presence and availability of grace from Jesus Christ. The message of Romans is overwhelmingly one of hope and deliverance from that syllogism through the Lord. And it was such a relief to read that after reading about the despair that accompanies disobedience apart from Jesus. It's nice to be on this side of the Old Testament. Thank you Jesus.
By the way, tonight we're going to create a new page together to transcribe all the good stuff we learn from MG to the site! That way we won't forget anything, and it'll give us a touchstone next week so we can pick up where we left off. God bless you, and happy Manday.
"His armor bearer said to him, 'Do all that is in your heart; turn yourself, and here I am with you according to your desire." -1 Sam 14:7
"Consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus." - Rm 6:11
"For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law but under grace." -Rm 6:14
"But now we have been released from the Law, having died to that by which we were bound, so that we serve in newness of the Spirit and not in oldness of the letter." -Rm 7:6
"I find then the principle that evil is present in me, the one who wants to do good. For I joyfully concur with the law of God in the inner man, but I see a different law in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin which is in my members." -Rm 7:21-22
I got behind in our reading this weekend because my priorities weren't in order, so now I have to skimp on the awesomest part of this week's reading. :d
Highlights are the appointment of Saul as king, and a description of much of his pre-David term. Also Jonathan's victory over the Philistines and the first time Saul makes an Ahab-like promise to kill somebody. Romans, as always, is great. These three chapters dealt with the nature of sin and our struggle with the flesh, describing one unpleasant effect of the division of the spirit, soul and body.
There are a couple things that stood out that I would like to point out. First of all, the reappearance of the phrase, "Here I am," this time from the armor-bearer that helped Jonathan strike terror into the hearts of the Philistines by killing twenty of them in open combat. Week before last we talked about community, and how simply getting behind somebody and supporting them in whatever the Lord is doing in their life is a good way for the body to conduct itself. The phrase, "here I am" is a perfect example of that principle. Samuel tells the Lord that he is available to follow Him and the armor-bearer tells Jonathan he is willing to support him. There is another example from this week's reading that I can't remember. If someone else does, please post a comment.
Romans spoke early and often about faith and obedience leading to life, and disobedience and sin leading to death. Paul made clear that he wasn't issuing advice, but simply announcing a syllogism. Saul's term as king illustrates Paul's point.
After he poorly chose to offer a sacrifice to the Lord without waiting for Samuel, Paul got more and more reactionary and more and more agitated. His sin of impatience and desire for control over his kingdom became more and more grotesque, and in this passage almost led to his son's death (1 Samuel 14:44). Saul's disobedience almost directly led to his son's death, and will eventually lead to his own death.
And then, Jesus. Romans counters all of that sin, death and disobedience talk with the presence and availability of grace from Jesus Christ. The message of Romans is overwhelmingly one of hope and deliverance from that syllogism through the Lord. And it was such a relief to read that after reading about the despair that accompanies disobedience apart from Jesus. It's nice to be on this side of the Old Testament. Thank you Jesus.
By the way, tonight we're going to create a new page together to transcribe all the good stuff we learn from MG to the site! That way we won't forget anything, and it'll give us a touchstone next week so we can pick up where we left off. God bless you, and happy Manday.
October 1, 2010
1 Samuel 7-8 and Romans 4
"Blessed are those whose lawless deeds have been forgiven, and those whose sins have been covered. Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will not take into account." - Ps 32:1-2
"Listen to the voice of the people in regard to all that they say to you, for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me from being king over them." - I Sm 8:7
"Yet, with respect to the promise of God, [Abraham] did not waver in unbelief but grew strong in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully assured that what God had promised, He was also able to perform. Therefore, it was also credited to him as righteousness." - Rm 4:20-22
This morning, the Israelites rejected Samuel's sons as their judge and demanded a king instead. Even though the Lord warned them through Samuel in detail of the problems they would definitely encounter - including drafts and taxes - they still did not listen to him. On the other hand, in Romans, Paul discussed the belief and obedience of Abraham, and how the Lord came through for him and his belief was credited to him as righteousness.
Again there is a convenient juxtaposition of themes between these two books, this time of obedience and disobedience. Although we know that God had ample room to redeem both parties' mistakes in the future (Abraham got impatient and fathered Ishamel, giving rise to all problems in the Middle East and the kings of Israel were almost always problematic), it is clear in retrospect that listening to the Lord and obeying Him is always a good idea.
1) Listen to the Lord and obey Him, because He knows the future and has a good plan for it.
Romans is so thick with truth that it's hard to pick just one thing to talk about. I'd like to mention though that in my translation, it says in 4:25 that "He who was delivered over because of our transgressions, and was raised because of our justification." The word justification pricked my ears, because I've written the last couple days about how our God is a God of justice. So as in Genesis where we were made in God's image initially, here He remade us in his image by justifying us. We were unjust, but he made us just through faith. Amen.
Powell
"Listen to the voice of the people in regard to all that they say to you, for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me from being king over them." - I Sm 8:7
"Yet, with respect to the promise of God, [Abraham] did not waver in unbelief but grew strong in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully assured that what God had promised, He was also able to perform. Therefore, it was also credited to him as righteousness." - Rm 4:20-22
This morning, the Israelites rejected Samuel's sons as their judge and demanded a king instead. Even though the Lord warned them through Samuel in detail of the problems they would definitely encounter - including drafts and taxes - they still did not listen to him. On the other hand, in Romans, Paul discussed the belief and obedience of Abraham, and how the Lord came through for him and his belief was credited to him as righteousness.
Again there is a convenient juxtaposition of themes between these two books, this time of obedience and disobedience. Although we know that God had ample room to redeem both parties' mistakes in the future (Abraham got impatient and fathered Ishamel, giving rise to all problems in the Middle East and the kings of Israel were almost always problematic), it is clear in retrospect that listening to the Lord and obeying Him is always a good idea.
1) Listen to the Lord and obey Him, because He knows the future and has a good plan for it.
Romans is so thick with truth that it's hard to pick just one thing to talk about. I'd like to mention though that in my translation, it says in 4:25 that "He who was delivered over because of our transgressions, and was raised because of our justification." The word justification pricked my ears, because I've written the last couple days about how our God is a God of justice. So as in Genesis where we were made in God's image initially, here He remade us in his image by justifying us. We were unjust, but he made us just through faith. Amen.
Powell
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