I've been thankful for the people Lisa and I have come in contact with in the last couple of weeks. We have been praying for deeper and more frequent fellowship with the believers we know around here, and God seems to be beginning to answer those petitions. We are hoping to spend more time with a couple that we know in passing. I met a brother on the bus the other day, and I hope we can get together sometime soon. And I spoke today with a professor who follows Jesus. I remain unsure of just how we should gather with our brothers and sisters, but the more folk we know that love the Lord, the more potential opportunities there are to seek Him together.
I've been in school for just over a semester now, and I already find myself pondering what's next. We are asking the Lord how He wants us to get overseas, and if I need to pursue another degree (doctoral) for that to happen. Lisa and I talked last night about it, that while our future is a bit uncertain, we have the peace of Christ ruling in our hearts. Thank you Lord for freeing me from the worries I could have regarding my "career" and what lies ahead. Please pray with us as we seek His face and His will.
Jan 23, 2007
Jan 15, 2007
Job, part 1
I've always had a difficult time following the lengthy discussions in Job, where he and his friends discuss the meaning of the circumstances of Job's life. (translation: I fall asleep because I get bored.......not that that's right) I've undertaken the task of figuring out what's going on in that book, what exactly is being said. Here is the first installment of a summary of the arguments (sorry if it's a bit like The Message). I've noted the chapters, and I can provide a list of the particular verses used in the summary.
Chapter 3 – Job: “I wish I had never been born….the pain is too great.”
Chapters 4-5 – Eliphaz: “Now it’s your turn; shouldn’t you have confidence in God? The innocent prosper, but who is truly innocent? No created thing will help you. If it were me, I would cry out to God. He causes pain, but He also heals. He does miraculous things!”
Chapters 6-7 – Job: “God is against me, that’s why I’m so distraught. Why doesn’t He just finish me off before I blaspheme Him? Don’t beat around the bush, just tell me, friends, what I have done wrong! Aren’t I right?! My life is EMPTY!! I’m at my wits end, so I will speak my mind, speak of my bitterness. Why are you after me, God?! It’s one thing after another! Please, just let me be! And what is my life to you, anyway?”
Chapter 8 – Bildad: “Listen to yourself! How long can you say these things? Obviously, your children sinned and God punished them. But if you repent before Him, He will restore you. The godless have no hope, but in Him you will find joy again.”
Chapters 9-10 – Job: “How can a man be right before God? I cannot answer Him. My words would condemn me even though I’m in the right……and I am right. Since I’m innocent and my life is like this, I can only conclude that God brings hardship on both the righteous and the wicked. Nothing will change, so why should I even bring my case before Him? I’m afraid of what will happen unless someone mediates, but who can do that? But here’s what I’d say if I could speak with Him: ‘What have I done, God? Why have you torn apart my life? You made it so good, and now you’ve destroyed it. You didn’t tell me that living righteously would get me this. At least give me a little joy before I die…..”
Chapter 11 – Zophar: “Job, do you think we can hear you say these things and not say anything? You think you’re perfect, but the reality is that God isn’t giving you half of what you deserve! He knows all and sees your sin. But still, if you reach out to Him, He will take away your shame.”
Chapters 12-14 – Job: “Look, genius, you have nothing on me. Who doesn’t know these things?! The well-off make fun of me, thinking they can take care of themselves, but the reality is that God is the one in control, and all will answer to Him. I’m asking God directly, not you liars who make up answers for Him and who think you need to defend Him! Keep silent, and let me say my piece. I only ask, two things, God: that you end my suffering, and that I get to talk this over with you face to face. Show me what I’ve done!
“God, we humans are so fleeting. Why even waste your time with us? Just make things a little easier for us. Oh, that I would have a second chance, a resurrection, where You would let me be with You, with my sins forgotten. But I do not have that hope; You keep it from me. Only death awaits me…….”
It was all I could do to not add ".....with nasty, big, sharp pointy teeth" to the end of that last line. :)Jan 9, 2007
Joyfully accept the plundering of your property
Blogs can be a bit dull without any pictures, so here's one:
At times I am amazed at my lack of faith in the Lord. I was pondering this last month as I thought about my day. I seem to have greater faith in things of this world than I do in God.
1. I set my alarm fully believing and trusting that it will go off when I want it to (not that this means I actually get up right away......).
2. I have faith that the water will come out of the shower head when I turn on the faucet.
3. I have faith that the bus will show up to take me to school (though not that it will be on time; the 8:06 am orange bus destroyed that faith a long time ago).
4. Perhaps the greatest area in which I exercise faith is in playing the saxophone. I have to trust my horn to work every single time I go to play it--especially reeds.
I know that the sort of faith I have in those things is different than the sort I have in God, but with all of those it is still "the assurance of things hoped for and the conviction of things not seen." Heb. 11:1 Or as Webster's puts it, "firm belief in something for which there is no proof." And at times I trust the alarm clock more than I trust the Lord to work out some of the things He has put before us. I believe more strongly at times that the water will flow from the faucet when I turn the knob than I do that God will reveal Himself to those around us as we seek Him.
I want God to cultivate in me a faith like that of those in Hebrews. I want to have a sure faith all of the time, not most of it. I don't want to be like those in Israel whom Jeremiah rebuked for not being as faithful as those who follow false gods (Jer. 2:9-13). May Jesus continue to refine me for His glory.
"But recall the former days when, after you were enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings, sometimes being publicly exposed to reproach and affliction, and sometimes being partners with those so treated. For you had compassion on those in prison, and you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property, since you knew that you yourselves had a better possession and an abiding one." Heb. 10:32-34
At times I am amazed at my lack of faith in the Lord. I was pondering this last month as I thought about my day. I seem to have greater faith in things of this world than I do in God.1. I set my alarm fully believing and trusting that it will go off when I want it to (not that this means I actually get up right away......).
2. I have faith that the water will come out of the shower head when I turn on the faucet.
3. I have faith that the bus will show up to take me to school (though not that it will be on time; the 8:06 am orange bus destroyed that faith a long time ago).
4. Perhaps the greatest area in which I exercise faith is in playing the saxophone. I have to trust my horn to work every single time I go to play it--especially reeds.
I know that the sort of faith I have in those things is different than the sort I have in God, but with all of those it is still "the assurance of things hoped for and the conviction of things not seen." Heb. 11:1 Or as Webster's puts it, "firm belief in something for which there is no proof." And at times I trust the alarm clock more than I trust the Lord to work out some of the things He has put before us. I believe more strongly at times that the water will flow from the faucet when I turn the knob than I do that God will reveal Himself to those around us as we seek Him.
I want God to cultivate in me a faith like that of those in Hebrews. I want to have a sure faith all of the time, not most of it. I don't want to be like those in Israel whom Jeremiah rebuked for not being as faithful as those who follow false gods (Jer. 2:9-13). May Jesus continue to refine me for His glory.
"But recall the former days when, after you were enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings, sometimes being publicly exposed to reproach and affliction, and sometimes being partners with those so treated. For you had compassion on those in prison, and you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property, since you knew that you yourselves had a better possession and an abiding one." Heb. 10:32-34
Jan 2, 2007
Speaking of swords....
Hello all, it's been a while, but as of now I hope to post something at least once a week. Tuesday seems to be the day for that, so you might check then if you're interested. Feel free to post comments, I appreciate being told when I'm off my rocker. :)
Many believers (certainly myself included) quote verses from the bible, and often they are used as proof of various Christian ideas, for encouragement, etc. Much good and building of the kingdom comes from this, but there are two things I will mention here that happen that are not so good. The first is using a verse so out of context that the meaning is completely lost. An example is the way I've heard many use the following: "God is not a God of confusion..." (1 Cor. 14:33) I've been told many times that, "as this verse says," I should always have an understanding of what God is doing, and that if something does not make sense, it is not of the Lord.
However, the context of the verse clearly shows that it relates to order in the gathering of believers, and that the body is encouraged and built up when prophecy (and teaching, etc.) are done in an orderly manner. We are not to all talk at once because God is not a God of confusion. Actually, other verses point to the fact that we will not be able to understand God (Isaiah 55 comes to mind). So one problem is that verses can be taken out of context and used in a way that distorts their meaning (there are more aggregious examples, to be sure).
The second came to mind today as I read Ezra 1:
"In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom and also put it in writing." (1:1)
My thought was, "Where did Jeremiah prophesy this?" So I looked at a few cross references before I came across Jeremiah 29:10 (also 25:12, but that isn't as relevant for this discussion):
"For thus says the LORD: When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will visit you, and I will fulfill to you my promise and bring you back to this place."
Jeremiah 29 is a letter written to the Israelites exiled in Babylon after the fall of Jerusalem. They had witnessed the utter destruction of their nation, of the temple of their God, and were forced to travel to a land that was not their own, the hope of their captors being that they would lose their national identity. But Jeremiah sought to encourage them with the word of the Lord, that God would fulfill His promise to return His people to His land. Their hearts were no doubt faint, and those who still loved the Lord (many didn't, that's why they were exiled) were no doubt discouraged in a way that I cannot imagine. Their entire life was thrown into upheaval, and God said, "I'm still here, and I will bring you back! Endure this time, and I will fulfill my word, as I always do!"
I don't know about you, but I am personally much more familiar with the next verse: "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for wholeness and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. " And this verse, Jeremiah 29:11 is one of the most quoted in all of the bible. But it isn't just a feel-good verse. It's a powerful comment that one makes when they quote it! It isn't just a nice thing God said. It's a promise made to a nation! And it reveals SO MUCH about the character of God!
So on one hand, believers need to take care not to quote a verse out of context, and use the word (sword) in a manner that accurately reflects its meaning. And on the other hand, as we do quote it, we should seek the fullness of what God said, that we might bask in the depth of His wonderful word. Jeremiah 29:11 has much to offer, as does every verse if we take the time to see it.
"Open my eyes, that I may behold
wondrous things out of your law." Psalm 119:18
Next topic: Faith in every day life
In the future: How does the Holy Spirit speak? This will probably consist of several posts.
Many believers (certainly myself included) quote verses from the bible, and often they are used as proof of various Christian ideas, for encouragement, etc. Much good and building of the kingdom comes from this, but there are two things I will mention here that happen that are not so good. The first is using a verse so out of context that the meaning is completely lost. An example is the way I've heard many use the following: "God is not a God of confusion..." (1 Cor. 14:33) I've been told many times that, "as this verse says," I should always have an understanding of what God is doing, and that if something does not make sense, it is not of the Lord.
However, the context of the verse clearly shows that it relates to order in the gathering of believers, and that the body is encouraged and built up when prophecy (and teaching, etc.) are done in an orderly manner. We are not to all talk at once because God is not a God of confusion. Actually, other verses point to the fact that we will not be able to understand God (Isaiah 55 comes to mind). So one problem is that verses can be taken out of context and used in a way that distorts their meaning (there are more aggregious examples, to be sure).
The second came to mind today as I read Ezra 1:
"In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom and also put it in writing." (1:1)
My thought was, "Where did Jeremiah prophesy this?" So I looked at a few cross references before I came across Jeremiah 29:10 (also 25:12, but that isn't as relevant for this discussion):
"For thus says the LORD: When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will visit you, and I will fulfill to you my promise and bring you back to this place."
Jeremiah 29 is a letter written to the Israelites exiled in Babylon after the fall of Jerusalem. They had witnessed the utter destruction of their nation, of the temple of their God, and were forced to travel to a land that was not their own, the hope of their captors being that they would lose their national identity. But Jeremiah sought to encourage them with the word of the Lord, that God would fulfill His promise to return His people to His land. Their hearts were no doubt faint, and those who still loved the Lord (many didn't, that's why they were exiled) were no doubt discouraged in a way that I cannot imagine. Their entire life was thrown into upheaval, and God said, "I'm still here, and I will bring you back! Endure this time, and I will fulfill my word, as I always do!"
I don't know about you, but I am personally much more familiar with the next verse: "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for wholeness and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. " And this verse, Jeremiah 29:11 is one of the most quoted in all of the bible. But it isn't just a feel-good verse. It's a powerful comment that one makes when they quote it! It isn't just a nice thing God said. It's a promise made to a nation! And it reveals SO MUCH about the character of God!
So on one hand, believers need to take care not to quote a verse out of context, and use the word (sword) in a manner that accurately reflects its meaning. And on the other hand, as we do quote it, we should seek the fullness of what God said, that we might bask in the depth of His wonderful word. Jeremiah 29:11 has much to offer, as does every verse if we take the time to see it.
"Open my eyes, that I may behold
wondrous things out of your law." Psalm 119:18
Next topic: Faith in every day life
In the future: How does the Holy Spirit speak? This will probably consist of several posts.
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