There are two possible responses to the display of God's divine power: you can respond in belief and obedience or you can respond with cynical scepticism and insubordination.
The scribes and Pharisees, for instance, heard and saw many wonders and miracles, yet they refused to believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God.
In their presence (Lk 7:22 and 30) the blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor. But the Pharisees and experts in the law rejected God's purpose for themselves.
They had no excuse for their unbelief and hatred for Jesus and later also for his followers and young church. They hardened their hearts against the Lord. They conspired against him. How typical this is of sinful man.
But when God’s people see his wonders and experience his power and might, victory is anticipated: the Lord’s victory and ours in his Name, power and authority. We know the gospel and we saw the saving and sustaining power of our Lord. We anticipate his divine victory in our challenges and responsibilities everyday. We do not become cynical or fearful, but aniticipate Christ's victory, even against all odds.
May you be blessed when you respond to the revelation of God’s divine power with the anticipation of victory, with belief and with obedience!
Monday, September 29, 2008
Friday, September 26, 2008
Helpful...
One of the prominent characteristics that develop in us when we truly submit to Christ, is that the prime motivation in our life becomes one to help others. Not building ones own kingdom, but as one of the many who are the Body of Christ, contributing to the growth of the kingdom of Jesus upon the earth, by doing the will of the Father, as communicated by the Holy Spirit. Jesus taught us to pray: Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. And he wants to start with your heart, your life, your job, your relationships, your interests.
Ironically, when your motivation moves away from simply fulfilling religious obligations, but seeking out God for his unique, personal purpose for you, you will find that God will continually place others in your path. The closer your walk with the Lord, the more practical use to him and others you will also become. For closeness to God does not result in an ascetic existence, but rather in reaching out into the community as God leads - and he will lead!
Ephesians 4:11-12 It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up
The problem is that in the church, we often have separated 'ministry' from the rest of life. This fits the pattern of a Greek way of thinking embedded in our culture, where the different aspects of our life are compartmentalised: family, work, culture, politics, religion, etc. This results in “spiritually” being Christian, while in economics or politics or sports or at home being a pagan and therefore being of no use to Jesus, the community or others.
The Jewish way however, the pattern on which the Bible is based, is operated on a 'whole of life' basis.
Proverbs 4: 23 Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.
Everything I do comes from my heart, the “wellspring of life", the central control centre of my being, and if Jesus is in control of everything that comes from this “wellspring”, everything I do should meet the standards of God and therefore be Kingdom work and helpful to God, community, ecology and other people.
We must understand that our life for the Lord incorporates the whole of our life, not just the supposed, 'spiritual side'. In everything we do we seek his honour and everything we do should build up the people of Christ and everything we do must become “works of service”.
Such is the way of the kingdom: Matthew 20:25-: Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
and
Romans 12: 1 – 2: Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies (your whole life!) as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
May we too give our lives, everything we do, everything we are, to Jesus and to what is beneficial and constructive for others.
Ironically, when your motivation moves away from simply fulfilling religious obligations, but seeking out God for his unique, personal purpose for you, you will find that God will continually place others in your path. The closer your walk with the Lord, the more practical use to him and others you will also become. For closeness to God does not result in an ascetic existence, but rather in reaching out into the community as God leads - and he will lead!
Ephesians 4:11-12 It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up
The problem is that in the church, we often have separated 'ministry' from the rest of life. This fits the pattern of a Greek way of thinking embedded in our culture, where the different aspects of our life are compartmentalised: family, work, culture, politics, religion, etc. This results in “spiritually” being Christian, while in economics or politics or sports or at home being a pagan and therefore being of no use to Jesus, the community or others.
The Jewish way however, the pattern on which the Bible is based, is operated on a 'whole of life' basis.
Proverbs 4: 23 Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.
Everything I do comes from my heart, the “wellspring of life", the central control centre of my being, and if Jesus is in control of everything that comes from this “wellspring”, everything I do should meet the standards of God and therefore be Kingdom work and helpful to God, community, ecology and other people.
We must understand that our life for the Lord incorporates the whole of our life, not just the supposed, 'spiritual side'. In everything we do we seek his honour and everything we do should build up the people of Christ and everything we do must become “works of service”.
Such is the way of the kingdom: Matthew 20:25-: Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
and
Romans 12: 1 – 2: Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies (your whole life!) as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
May we too give our lives, everything we do, everything we are, to Jesus and to what is beneficial and constructive for others.
Monday, September 15, 2008
If you serve God you cannot have fellowship with evil...
Remember what God has invested in our salvation. It took nothing less than the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ on the cross to purchase our salvation. Because of God’s great love for us, Jesus bore our sins in himself on the cross. He suffered the humiliation of the cross, the torture of crucifixion and the spiritual agony of being cut off from the Father.
Considering all that God has done to bring us into a right relationship with himself, we cannot even imagine that he would not demand our pure and unbroken fidelity. He desires for us to be totally his. When we betray him by substituting him with other things and lesser things, his passion is stirred up and his anger is kindled.
Paul teaches that “you cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons too; you cannot have a part in both the Lord’s table and the table of demons.” (1 Cor 10: 21).
God cares for us. He proved that in the death of Jesus Christ. This motivates in us a passionate desire for an intimate and personal relationship with him — the one who loved us and gave himself for us.
May you be blessed as you walk with the Lord, in the light of his Word! May he abide with us always and may we be faithful to him.
Considering all that God has done to bring us into a right relationship with himself, we cannot even imagine that he would not demand our pure and unbroken fidelity. He desires for us to be totally his. When we betray him by substituting him with other things and lesser things, his passion is stirred up and his anger is kindled.
Paul teaches that “you cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons too; you cannot have a part in both the Lord’s table and the table of demons.” (1 Cor 10: 21).
God cares for us. He proved that in the death of Jesus Christ. This motivates in us a passionate desire for an intimate and personal relationship with him — the one who loved us and gave himself for us.
May you be blessed as you walk with the Lord, in the light of his Word! May he abide with us always and may we be faithful to him.
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