When I don't post in the middle of the week, it's usually because I got in too deep. Yesterday, the 20th, after about three hours of writing, I still hadn't brought it to a satisfactory conclusion. So I guess this topic will have to be a book. I'll let you know when it's done.
I'm going to give you a clue in this day's OYB reading, so that you can go back and see what the Lord says to you about the battle between life and death. There is just too much foundation to be laid for me to go into it here.
Start with Jesus' statement: “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?” John 11: 25-26
This is the key to a new mindset about life and death. The Old Testament passages and the rest of the verses in John all have revelation in them about this topic. I would love to hear what the Lord shows you about it. In the mean time, I'll be jotting down what I get, and in the Lord's timing, I'll put it out there for you. Shalom!
Showing posts with label eternal life. Show all posts
Showing posts with label eternal life. Show all posts
Friday, May 21, 2010
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
May 11, 2010 How God Deals With Rejection
There's not a lot you can do when people decide to reject God. If He doesn't force them to accept Him, then how can we presume to do so? In today's passages, we have two examples of people rejecting God, and how He responded to them. Since we humans get rejected now and again, I'd say we could learn something from His example.
The people of Israel wanted a king so they could be like all the other nations (I think this indicates they were a little out-of-sync with God, as He wanted them to be different from all the other nations). Samuel got instructions from the Lord as to what to do about this (he's one of my Bible heroes: he was so accurate in hearing, seeing and speaking God's word!), and the Lord led him to the king who was to be anointed. Now, taking into consideration that the people got what they wanted, this is what Samuel said to them: "But you have today rejected your God, who Himself saved you from all your adversities and your tribulations; and you have said to Him, ‘No, set a king over us!’ Now therefore, present yourselves before the LORD by your tribes and by your clans.” 1 Samuel 10:19 This says to me right away that just because we may have gotten what we asked for doesn't mean that God was pleased with us!
God wanted to be Israel's king Himself, and how could they have had a better one? Even though their rejection of Him was "covert" (not direct), He identified their true condition as rejecting of Him, and He expressed His displeasure to them. Nevertheless, I believe God's heart was to bless the people on whatever level they could accept, so He provided them a king to lead them and deliver them from their enemies. God did not abandon them. He even gave Saul the experience of being "possessed by God's Spirit" so that he had enough knowledge to call upon God to be empowered. Apparently he did so, at least at first.
Now, what did Jesus do when He was rejected? Again, people were often covert in their rejection of Him, yet He always knew what was in their hearts, and He gave them many chances to change their minds. And again, most of the people were only looking to have their physical needs met and weren't looking at things from a heavenly (spiritual) perspective. They wanted Jesus to give them more bread, even demanding that He prove Himself with a miracle of giving them heavenly manna. He told them that He Himself was the "bread from heaven" that would give them eternal life, but the people got offended with Him and stopped following Him. Jesus didn't do the rejecting, but He didn't let Himself be manipulated either. He just told the truth and let the people make a choice.
Jesus didn't reject the people back-- He kept going to their towns preaching, teaching and healing until it was His time to lay down His life for them. He didn't go around flailing them with "bitter diatribes", although I'm sure Jesus was grieved. He also didn't fire Judas from being a disciple: but He did confront Him with His inward rejection. I'm sure Judas had many chances to repent before he gave in to Satan and betrayed Jesus. But Jesus was no dupe; He knew about it all the time.
You wonder how people can reject a God so great and glorious as He is. How can people reject Jesus Christ who offers us forgiveness, salvation on all levels, and eternal life!? Many reject Him outright, and many more reject Him covertly. As a nation, it seems we have rejected God's rule over us and demanded a king. How will that turn out, I wonder? Most seem to reject the Lord Jesus for who He actually is and what He actually said, choosing rather to believe in a Jesus and a Christianity that they have made up themselves to suit their own preferences. And yet, God still loves them and blesses them as much as they will allow. This is our example of how to treat people who reject us. Confront first, as you see God and Jesus did in both examples; do not reject back. However, the intimacy and "top shelf" blessings are reserved for those who accept Him wholeheartedly.
How often do we do covertly reject God, and maybe don't even realize it? I am going to ask Him if I'm doing that in any way. I hope not, but if I am, I know He will be faithful to show me and offer me forgiveness and restoration. Read the Psalm! God responds to us when we repent and call out to Him. Over and over.
The people of Israel wanted a king so they could be like all the other nations (I think this indicates they were a little out-of-sync with God, as He wanted them to be different from all the other nations). Samuel got instructions from the Lord as to what to do about this (he's one of my Bible heroes: he was so accurate in hearing, seeing and speaking God's word!), and the Lord led him to the king who was to be anointed. Now, taking into consideration that the people got what they wanted, this is what Samuel said to them: "But you have today rejected your God, who Himself saved you from all your adversities and your tribulations; and you have said to Him, ‘No, set a king over us!’ Now therefore, present yourselves before the LORD by your tribes and by your clans.” 1 Samuel 10:19 This says to me right away that just because we may have gotten what we asked for doesn't mean that God was pleased with us!
God wanted to be Israel's king Himself, and how could they have had a better one? Even though their rejection of Him was "covert" (not direct), He identified their true condition as rejecting of Him, and He expressed His displeasure to them. Nevertheless, I believe God's heart was to bless the people on whatever level they could accept, so He provided them a king to lead them and deliver them from their enemies. God did not abandon them. He even gave Saul the experience of being "possessed by God's Spirit" so that he had enough knowledge to call upon God to be empowered. Apparently he did so, at least at first.
Now, what did Jesus do when He was rejected? Again, people were often covert in their rejection of Him, yet He always knew what was in their hearts, and He gave them many chances to change their minds. And again, most of the people were only looking to have their physical needs met and weren't looking at things from a heavenly (spiritual) perspective. They wanted Jesus to give them more bread, even demanding that He prove Himself with a miracle of giving them heavenly manna. He told them that He Himself was the "bread from heaven" that would give them eternal life, but the people got offended with Him and stopped following Him. Jesus didn't do the rejecting, but He didn't let Himself be manipulated either. He just told the truth and let the people make a choice.
Jesus didn't reject the people back-- He kept going to their towns preaching, teaching and healing until it was His time to lay down His life for them. He didn't go around flailing them with "bitter diatribes", although I'm sure Jesus was grieved. He also didn't fire Judas from being a disciple: but He did confront Him with His inward rejection. I'm sure Judas had many chances to repent before he gave in to Satan and betrayed Jesus. But Jesus was no dupe; He knew about it all the time.
You wonder how people can reject a God so great and glorious as He is. How can people reject Jesus Christ who offers us forgiveness, salvation on all levels, and eternal life!? Many reject Him outright, and many more reject Him covertly. As a nation, it seems we have rejected God's rule over us and demanded a king. How will that turn out, I wonder? Most seem to reject the Lord Jesus for who He actually is and what He actually said, choosing rather to believe in a Jesus and a Christianity that they have made up themselves to suit their own preferences. And yet, God still loves them and blesses them as much as they will allow. This is our example of how to treat people who reject us. Confront first, as you see God and Jesus did in both examples; do not reject back. However, the intimacy and "top shelf" blessings are reserved for those who accept Him wholeheartedly.
How often do we do covertly reject God, and maybe don't even realize it? I am going to ask Him if I'm doing that in any way. I hope not, but if I am, I know He will be faithful to show me and offer me forgiveness and restoration. Read the Psalm! God responds to us when we repent and call out to Him. Over and over.
Thursday, April 22, 2010
April 22, 2010
The Scriptures in which Jesus talks about the end times are, to me, some of the most important ones we can study, and hear His voice in, for NOW. He tells us these things not to frighten us, but to prepare us and comfort us. All these "dreadful portents" are indications that the Kingdom of Heaven is soon to be Christ's reign on Earth! How could these things be our doom? They are only foreboding to those who reject Christ, and to the rebellious kingdoms of the earth. If we endure, we very well could be among the generation to see "the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory" !
Jesus made it clear that these terrible signs and events should give us a sense of expectation, not the fear and confusion that would be characteristic of the nations of the earth. "Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near." Luke 21:28 Our response should be to get ready and be watchful-- keeping our eyes on heavenly things and our focus on Jesus Christ. It is time to renew our commitment to serving the Lord, putting aside all the idols that distract us and take our attention away from Him. It is time to lay down all the things in the past that keep us focused on ourselves and that hinder us by causing us to have a victim mentality.
It is time to rise up and show the world that there is an unshakeable Kingdom, with a glorious King who reigns with love and wisdom, and to call people into it. We are in this Kingdom already, because we are in Christ who is the King. We will have righteousness, peace and joy if we will actually live in the Kingdom we are part of. We are, in truth, high above all that is happening on this earth.
I believe we have physicalized the concept of the "Rapture" because we took the things in Scripture and interpreted them the only way we knew how, naturally. But if we can see things according to the Spirit, we will realize that we are ALREADY "seated in heavenly places with Christ Jesus". "But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus." Ephesians 2: 4-7
Oh, how the Spirit of the Lord is singing over us right now, desiring with fervor for us to get a hold of this REALITY!
"Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son" Colossians 1:13 KJV
"He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love" NKJV
"For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves" NIV
"For he has rescued us from the one who rules in the kingdom of darkness, and he has brought us into the Kingdom of his dear Son" NLT
"He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son" ESV
"el cual nos ha librado de la potestad de las tinieblas, y trasladado al reino de su amado Hijo" RVR
"He has delivered us from the dominion of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son" RSV
"who did rescue us out of the authority of the darkness, and did translate us into the reign of the Son of His love" ASV
"who delivered us out of the power of darkness, and translated us into the Kingdom of the Son of his love" HNV
It has already been done! Can you hear the music? Will you sing it with Him?
P.S.
The sudden switch of tone and perspective in the second half of Psalm 89 reminds me of the way we think and feel when we do not realize what God has already accomplished in Christ, for us.
P.P.S PLEASE READ THIS!
So you don't get the wrong idea from what I'm saying:
Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, we ask you, not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of Christ had come.
2 Thessalonians 2: 1-2
Jesus is still returning in person to reign on Earth, and we will reign with Him!
I suggest reading this chapter, as well as chapter 1. Paul is encouraging the brethren who are enduring persecutions and tribulations. Jesus said we would have these things, and that is why we must endure. But our endurance and patient perseverance is going to be dictated by our internal outlook and perspective.
"that you may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you also suffer;
since it is a righteous thing with God to repay with tribulation those who trouble you, and to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels. . . when He comes, in that Day, to be glorified in His saints and to be admired among all those who believe, because our testimony among you was believed. Therefore we also pray always for you that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith with power, that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. " 2 Thessalonians 1: 5a-7,10
Jesus made it clear that these terrible signs and events should give us a sense of expectation, not the fear and confusion that would be characteristic of the nations of the earth. "Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near." Luke 21:28 Our response should be to get ready and be watchful-- keeping our eyes on heavenly things and our focus on Jesus Christ. It is time to renew our commitment to serving the Lord, putting aside all the idols that distract us and take our attention away from Him. It is time to lay down all the things in the past that keep us focused on ourselves and that hinder us by causing us to have a victim mentality.
It is time to rise up and show the world that there is an unshakeable Kingdom, with a glorious King who reigns with love and wisdom, and to call people into it. We are in this Kingdom already, because we are in Christ who is the King. We will have righteousness, peace and joy if we will actually live in the Kingdom we are part of. We are, in truth, high above all that is happening on this earth.
I believe we have physicalized the concept of the "Rapture" because we took the things in Scripture and interpreted them the only way we knew how, naturally. But if we can see things according to the Spirit, we will realize that we are ALREADY "seated in heavenly places with Christ Jesus". "But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus." Ephesians 2: 4-7
Oh, how the Spirit of the Lord is singing over us right now, desiring with fervor for us to get a hold of this REALITY!
"Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son" Colossians 1:13 KJV
"He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love" NKJV
"For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves" NIV
"For he has rescued us from the one who rules in the kingdom of darkness, and he has brought us into the Kingdom of his dear Son" NLT
"He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son" ESV
"el cual nos ha librado de la potestad de las tinieblas, y trasladado al reino de su amado Hijo" RVR
"He has delivered us from the dominion of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son" RSV
"who did rescue us out of the authority of the darkness, and did translate us into the reign of the Son of His love" ASV
"who delivered us out of the power of darkness, and translated us into the Kingdom of the Son of his love" HNV
It has already been done! Can you hear the music? Will you sing it with Him?
P.S.
The sudden switch of tone and perspective in the second half of Psalm 89 reminds me of the way we think and feel when we do not realize what God has already accomplished in Christ, for us.
P.P.S PLEASE READ THIS!
So you don't get the wrong idea from what I'm saying:
Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, we ask you, not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of Christ had come.
2 Thessalonians 2: 1-2
Jesus is still returning in person to reign on Earth, and we will reign with Him!
I suggest reading this chapter, as well as chapter 1. Paul is encouraging the brethren who are enduring persecutions and tribulations. Jesus said we would have these things, and that is why we must endure. But our endurance and patient perseverance is going to be dictated by our internal outlook and perspective.
"that you may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you also suffer;
since it is a righteous thing with God to repay with tribulation those who trouble you, and to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels. . . when He comes, in that Day, to be glorified in His saints and to be admired among all those who believe, because our testimony among you was believed. Therefore we also pray always for you that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith with power, that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. " 2 Thessalonians 1: 5a-7,10
Saturday, March 6, 2010
March 6, 2010
We could think God contradicted Himself if we read (out of context) "Truly, no ransom avails for one's life, there is no price one can give to God for it. For the ransom of life is costly, and can never suffice that one should live on forever and never see the grave." Psalm 49: 1-20. But if we read on, the same psalm states: "But God will ransom my soul from the power of Sheol, for he will receive me." vs 15. What a great prophesy of Christ's ransom for us! It truly shows that there was no way of redemption except Him, but that God, indeed, had always promised a Way.
Obviously, the first verse speaks of a person trying to redeem himself or another, and that there is no amount of riches capable of redeeming us. Christ's life and sacrifice was SO valuable that it sufficed to redeem any and all who would receive Him-- forever! As an aside, these verses really shows how valuable we are to God, and should increase our own concept of worth, and change how we value ourselves and others.
Unfortunately, (pun intended), there are many people who still trust in riches to save them, and many nations who do as well. Is ours one of them, do you think? Do you think that false messiahs who come along-- with schemes to deceive-- might try to wield worldly wealth and power as a means of solving the world's problems? Have you ever seen this type of deception in the Church itself? Does it seem logical to you that any amount of wealth could help with the types of trouble that Jesus prophesied for the end times, and that we see ourselves in the midst of now? Mark 12: 7-8
Jesus was also clear that much of the end-time trouble would be between people, with rampant betrayal and hatred, even among relatives: "because of my name." He directed us to trust the Holy Spirit to give us the words to say, and told us to "endure until the end." vs 9-13
I see a flip-side to the principle that no amount of wealth can redeem us. It seems to me that no amount of wealth (which equates to worldly power) can "buy God off" either! Who could pay God enough to "un-redeem" us? Who could be wealthy enough to take us to court and condemn us when we have a Righteous Advocate on our side? Christ! If God is for us, who can be against us? An entire nation? The whole world system? None of these powers could redeem us, and none of them can destroy us either. We are truly safe IN the Lord! It might be unpleasant or painful for a while, but all we need is endurance to see the salvation of God, and His promise of eternal life.
"Why should I fear in times of trouble, when the iniquity of my persecutors surrounds me, those who trust in their wealth and boast of the abundance of their riches?" Psalm 49: 5-6
Jesus is not swayed, influenced or impressed by riches and worldly power. This is clear in the beginning of the Mark passage. He does not judge by outward appearance, but sees the heart. He saw through the pomp of the religious leaders of the day, and He commended the poor widow for offering all she had because of her love for God. He hasn't changed!
When we give ourselves totally to Him, this is a great treasure that He accepts. In return, He gives Himself totally to us. What, then, have we to fear?
Obviously, the first verse speaks of a person trying to redeem himself or another, and that there is no amount of riches capable of redeeming us. Christ's life and sacrifice was SO valuable that it sufficed to redeem any and all who would receive Him-- forever! As an aside, these verses really shows how valuable we are to God, and should increase our own concept of worth, and change how we value ourselves and others.
Unfortunately, (pun intended), there are many people who still trust in riches to save them, and many nations who do as well. Is ours one of them, do you think? Do you think that false messiahs who come along-- with schemes to deceive-- might try to wield worldly wealth and power as a means of solving the world's problems? Have you ever seen this type of deception in the Church itself? Does it seem logical to you that any amount of wealth could help with the types of trouble that Jesus prophesied for the end times, and that we see ourselves in the midst of now? Mark 12: 7-8
Jesus was also clear that much of the end-time trouble would be between people, with rampant betrayal and hatred, even among relatives: "because of my name." He directed us to trust the Holy Spirit to give us the words to say, and told us to "endure until the end." vs 9-13
I see a flip-side to the principle that no amount of wealth can redeem us. It seems to me that no amount of wealth (which equates to worldly power) can "buy God off" either! Who could pay God enough to "un-redeem" us? Who could be wealthy enough to take us to court and condemn us when we have a Righteous Advocate on our side? Christ! If God is for us, who can be against us? An entire nation? The whole world system? None of these powers could redeem us, and none of them can destroy us either. We are truly safe IN the Lord! It might be unpleasant or painful for a while, but all we need is endurance to see the salvation of God, and His promise of eternal life.
"Why should I fear in times of trouble, when the iniquity of my persecutors surrounds me, those who trust in their wealth and boast of the abundance of their riches?" Psalm 49: 5-6
Jesus is not swayed, influenced or impressed by riches and worldly power. This is clear in the beginning of the Mark passage. He does not judge by outward appearance, but sees the heart. He saw through the pomp of the religious leaders of the day, and He commended the poor widow for offering all she had because of her love for God. He hasn't changed!
When we give ourselves totally to Him, this is a great treasure that He accepts. In return, He gives Himself totally to us. What, then, have we to fear?
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