1 Tim 5: 24 and 25: The sins of some are obvious, reaching the place of judgment ahead of them; the sins of others trail behind them. In the same way, good deeds are obvious, and even those that are not obvious cannot remain hidden forever.
Paul says this within the context of choosing leaders for the congregation. It is easy to see the struggles and sins some have, but the sins of others are hidden at first. They may be taken as possible leaders in the church, yet the Word of God cautions to wait on God for discernment. A leader within the Church who causes the Church to stumble as a result of hidden (sinful) agenda’s can cause incalculable damage to God’s work. We should be careful not to set people apart for important tasks, who have selfish personal gain in mind.
We should also not leave behind those who, because they are humble, hide their good works and are not known, because they do not seek recognition, and for that reason are not drawn on for the gifts God has given them for building up his Church. Their good deeds will not remain a secret forever.
A Church that will serve Christ and her members wisely is one that is able to place the right person in the right place.
Do you have a calling and is gifted by the Spirit to play a role in serving God and the believers? Take courage and offer to serve Christ. Do not hide your gifts. The Lord expects us to serve according to the blessings and the gifts we received. It will bless both us and the congregation when we play our part in God’s team to the full.
May you be blessed as you join God’s work and serve his people, because God called you and because he anointed you.
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Emotions (1)
2 Corinthians 4:7-10: The surpassing greatness of the power (is) of God and not from ourselves; we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.
We all know that both positive and destructive emotions are part of being us and being human. Joy, pleasure, love, pity, compassion and optimism are positive, motivating experiences. Loneliness, confusion, sadness, despair, anxiety, anger, and even hatred are destructive emotions and can ruin lives if not dealt with positively.
We need to know what the place and role of emotions in our lives are. If feelings lead our decisions and our judgment and are the main reason for our choices, we may suffer as a result of illogical and unwise actions that could be disastrous. We all know that we need to think clearly and sensibly to live wisely and safely. Yet, we also know this is easier said than done. Emotions can be powerful, sometimes influencing us more than mere facts and prudent thoughts and common sense.
Emotions are strong, and destructive emotions often hard to restrain.
But Paul says that God is stronger. The surpassing greatness of power is not from ourselves, it is from God. It is our faith relationship that should lead our personalities, our direction, our goals and dreams. Faith in God and trust in God, and obedience to God should guide us, in order for God’s thoughts to save us from our destructive feelings.
Trusting in God, waiting on him, will enable us to say with Paul: “we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed”.
Although the dying, suffering and pain of Jesus remain with us in this world, the life of Jesus also manifests in us, giving us control over our emotions.
It is good and healthy to have insight in your emotions and to deal with them constructively. We should not have unfinished emotional business.
And we should grow to a place where our faith leads us from fatal slavery of our feelings, to the freedom in the living Lord that allows us to act wisely and powerfully.
The gospel is that in Christ we need not be crushed, experience despair, feel forsaken or be destroyed by what we feel.
Pauls words in 2 Corinthians 4: 7 – 10 teach that it is possible to be under pressure in difficult circumstances, yet control our emotions. In the midst of even the most trying times, Paul was able to be strong in the Lord. But it starts with faith in God. It starts with trusting Jesus.
It starts with living for him.
We all know that both positive and destructive emotions are part of being us and being human. Joy, pleasure, love, pity, compassion and optimism are positive, motivating experiences. Loneliness, confusion, sadness, despair, anxiety, anger, and even hatred are destructive emotions and can ruin lives if not dealt with positively.
We need to know what the place and role of emotions in our lives are. If feelings lead our decisions and our judgment and are the main reason for our choices, we may suffer as a result of illogical and unwise actions that could be disastrous. We all know that we need to think clearly and sensibly to live wisely and safely. Yet, we also know this is easier said than done. Emotions can be powerful, sometimes influencing us more than mere facts and prudent thoughts and common sense.
Emotions are strong, and destructive emotions often hard to restrain.
But Paul says that God is stronger. The surpassing greatness of power is not from ourselves, it is from God. It is our faith relationship that should lead our personalities, our direction, our goals and dreams. Faith in God and trust in God, and obedience to God should guide us, in order for God’s thoughts to save us from our destructive feelings.
Trusting in God, waiting on him, will enable us to say with Paul: “we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed”.
Although the dying, suffering and pain of Jesus remain with us in this world, the life of Jesus also manifests in us, giving us control over our emotions.
It is good and healthy to have insight in your emotions and to deal with them constructively. We should not have unfinished emotional business.
And we should grow to a place where our faith leads us from fatal slavery of our feelings, to the freedom in the living Lord that allows us to act wisely and powerfully.
The gospel is that in Christ we need not be crushed, experience despair, feel forsaken or be destroyed by what we feel.
Pauls words in 2 Corinthians 4: 7 – 10 teach that it is possible to be under pressure in difficult circumstances, yet control our emotions. In the midst of even the most trying times, Paul was able to be strong in the Lord. But it starts with faith in God. It starts with trusting Jesus.
It starts with living for him.
Monday, January 24, 2011
Everything received with thanksgiving is holy.
1 Tim 4: 4 – 5: Everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer.
God wants us to receive every good thing with thanksgiving. The way to recognize whether something is “good” or “bad” is to ask ourselves if we are comfortable to thank the Lord for it. Those things on offer for which it is unthinkable to thank the Lord for, should be rejected. The thief cannot thank the Lord for what he stole, and should not steal. The corrupt cannot thank the Lord for what he swindled and should seek integrity.
But more importantly, nothing that God gives to us, because he loves us, should be rejected. And here is the exciting and surprising of this text: whatever is received from the Lord with thanksgiving becomes "consecrated by God’s Word and prayer”.
Consecration refers to persons or things being set apart for God, to belong to him and to serve his purpose.
Everything received from the Lord with thanksgiving, continue to belong to God.
And what have been consecrated, are sacred.
In the Old Testament the people of Israel were set apart to be God’s holy people(Ex. 19:5,6; Deut. 7:6; 14:2). So were the priests (Ex. 29:1-37), the altar (Num. 7:10-88), the utensils used by the priests (2 Sam. 8:11), and the Temple (1 Kings 8:63; Ezra 6:16-18), to name only a few.
In the New Testament all God’s people are set apart too. Al Christian believers are consecrated by Word and prayer to serve our Lord as royal priests every day of their lives. Food, marriage and family life, work and play, responsibility, money and fun, should all be received with thanksgiving and set apart, be given back to God, to serve his purpose in our lives and as such serve his Kingdom.
Everything we receive from God with thanksgiving, is consecrated.
It is holy. We are to use every good blessing in our service of God.
Ultimately, never skip a day to thank the Lord for grace, mercy, salvation, forgiveness, for Jesus, his cross, his resurrection, for giving us his Spirit and for eternal life. We thank our Lord daily for these awesome gifts as we use God’s blessings to celebrate his glory.
God wants us to receive every good thing with thanksgiving. The way to recognize whether something is “good” or “bad” is to ask ourselves if we are comfortable to thank the Lord for it. Those things on offer for which it is unthinkable to thank the Lord for, should be rejected. The thief cannot thank the Lord for what he stole, and should not steal. The corrupt cannot thank the Lord for what he swindled and should seek integrity.
But more importantly, nothing that God gives to us, because he loves us, should be rejected. And here is the exciting and surprising of this text: whatever is received from the Lord with thanksgiving becomes "consecrated by God’s Word and prayer”.
Consecration refers to persons or things being set apart for God, to belong to him and to serve his purpose.
Everything received from the Lord with thanksgiving, continue to belong to God.
And what have been consecrated, are sacred.
In the Old Testament the people of Israel were set apart to be God’s holy people(Ex. 19:5,6; Deut. 7:6; 14:2). So were the priests (Ex. 29:1-37), the altar (Num. 7:10-88), the utensils used by the priests (2 Sam. 8:11), and the Temple (1 Kings 8:63; Ezra 6:16-18), to name only a few.
In the New Testament all God’s people are set apart too. Al Christian believers are consecrated by Word and prayer to serve our Lord as royal priests every day of their lives. Food, marriage and family life, work and play, responsibility, money and fun, should all be received with thanksgiving and set apart, be given back to God, to serve his purpose in our lives and as such serve his Kingdom.
Everything we receive from God with thanksgiving, is consecrated.
It is holy. We are to use every good blessing in our service of God.
Ultimately, never skip a day to thank the Lord for grace, mercy, salvation, forgiveness, for Jesus, his cross, his resurrection, for giving us his Spirit and for eternal life. We thank our Lord daily for these awesome gifts as we use God’s blessings to celebrate his glory.
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Do you think the Good Shepherd forsakes you?
Do you think the Good Shepherd forsakes you?
Even doubt that he really exists?
You may know that Lord Jesus invites you,
that his Spirit to love him, insists!
Jesus said he will come, to reveal what he has done.
Heaven’s drums begin to roll: Jesus comes to make us whole!
Do you think the Good Shepherd forsakes you?
Even doubt that he really exists?
You must know that Lord Jesus invites you,
that his Spirit to love him, insists!
Through his Word do we know he is coming,
to our world, everything that exists!
What is broken Lord Jesus has mended,
that he saves now, his Spirit, insists!
There’s a Breeze blowing now, telling where and telling how.
It’s his Spirit that blows, until everybody knows!
Do you think the Good Shepherd forsakes you?
Even doubt that he really exists?
You must know that Lord Jesus invites you,
that his Spirit to love him, insists!
- Andries
Copy Right reserved
Even doubt that he really exists?
You may know that Lord Jesus invites you,
that his Spirit to love him, insists!
Jesus said he will come, to reveal what he has done.
Heaven’s drums begin to roll: Jesus comes to make us whole!
Do you think the Good Shepherd forsakes you?
Even doubt that he really exists?
You must know that Lord Jesus invites you,
that his Spirit to love him, insists!
Through his Word do we know he is coming,
to our world, everything that exists!
What is broken Lord Jesus has mended,
that he saves now, his Spirit, insists!
There’s a Breeze blowing now, telling where and telling how.
It’s his Spirit that blows, until everybody knows!
Do you think the Good Shepherd forsakes you?
Even doubt that he really exists?
You must know that Lord Jesus invites you,
that his Spirit to love him, insists!
- Andries
Copy Right reserved
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Seek God's leading and his will (3) - final
We today end a short series of devotions about God’s leading and the importance of seeking and accepting the Lord’s will in everything we do.
We already learned that one can be a professing Christian, yet live as practicing atheist who does not care about what God wants for our lives and where he leads us. We also learned that our lives, its days, weeks and its years, are not in our hands. It is in the hands of God. God is in control. We should be what God intends and he will add his blessings to our plans and his grace to our desires.
Seek God’s leading and his will. (3):
Never ignore God’s leading. Be aware of his control. James says,
(James 4:15) ... you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that."
Do you remember the days when Christians used to say often - "If the Lord wills." Paul knew we cannot defeat the sovereign will of God. He always desired to follow the Lord's leading, expecting God’s blessing in doing so.
When Paul said farewell to the Christians at Ephesus, he said, "I will come back if it is God's will" (Acts 18:21).
When Paul's friends could not talk him out of going to Jerusalem, they said, "The Lord's will be done" (Acts 21:14).
To the Corinthians Paul states that he would visit "if the Lord is willing" (1 Cor 4:19) and "if the Lord permits" (1 Cor 16:7).
To the church in Rome, he says, "I pray that now at last by God's will the way may be opened for me to come to you" (Rom 1:10).
When I was a child no announcement in church would be made without the minister saying – “God willing”.
My Mom and Dad, uncles and aunts, grandparents and others made it part of their daily vocabulary to say "if the Lord wills" or, "if the Lord is willing."
We do not talk like this anymore. Not even in Church. And we have lost something important in the process. We lost the daily awareness of the importance of submitting to God and his will. We lost more than an expression, but a lifestyle that was seeking the will of God and submitting to the will of God in everything. We have lost faith in the loving, wise sovereign will of God.
How do we follow God's leading? God's leading requires Bible reading, contemplative prayer, a heartfelt, earnest desire to do nothing outside of God’s will and the confirmation of his will by godly friends and fellow Christians. It requires faith that will not allow me to do anything important without the Silent Voice putting me at rest and at peace that it is what God wants me to do.
It is about not doing anything of which my conscience tells me it is wrong. It is about trusting that God always and under all circumstances knows best and surrendering to him. It is about making peace with God and his control of my life.
It is about praying these Jesus-words, and meaning them: “Not my will, but your will be done!”
We already learned that one can be a professing Christian, yet live as practicing atheist who does not care about what God wants for our lives and where he leads us. We also learned that our lives, its days, weeks and its years, are not in our hands. It is in the hands of God. God is in control. We should be what God intends and he will add his blessings to our plans and his grace to our desires.
Seek God’s leading and his will. (3):
Never ignore God’s leading. Be aware of his control. James says,
(James 4:15) ... you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that."
Do you remember the days when Christians used to say often - "If the Lord wills." Paul knew we cannot defeat the sovereign will of God. He always desired to follow the Lord's leading, expecting God’s blessing in doing so.
When Paul said farewell to the Christians at Ephesus, he said, "I will come back if it is God's will" (Acts 18:21).
When Paul's friends could not talk him out of going to Jerusalem, they said, "The Lord's will be done" (Acts 21:14).
To the Corinthians Paul states that he would visit "if the Lord is willing" (1 Cor 4:19) and "if the Lord permits" (1 Cor 16:7).
To the church in Rome, he says, "I pray that now at last by God's will the way may be opened for me to come to you" (Rom 1:10).
When I was a child no announcement in church would be made without the minister saying – “God willing”.
My Mom and Dad, uncles and aunts, grandparents and others made it part of their daily vocabulary to say "if the Lord wills" or, "if the Lord is willing."
We do not talk like this anymore. Not even in Church. And we have lost something important in the process. We lost the daily awareness of the importance of submitting to God and his will. We lost more than an expression, but a lifestyle that was seeking the will of God and submitting to the will of God in everything. We have lost faith in the loving, wise sovereign will of God.
How do we follow God's leading? God's leading requires Bible reading, contemplative prayer, a heartfelt, earnest desire to do nothing outside of God’s will and the confirmation of his will by godly friends and fellow Christians. It requires faith that will not allow me to do anything important without the Silent Voice putting me at rest and at peace that it is what God wants me to do.
It is about not doing anything of which my conscience tells me it is wrong. It is about trusting that God always and under all circumstances knows best and surrendering to him. It is about making peace with God and his control of my life.
It is about praying these Jesus-words, and meaning them: “Not my will, but your will be done!”
Monday, January 17, 2011
A seeking and saving God
Yesterday we again had the privilege to have fellowship with God. Those who came to Church to worship were blessed by being in God’s presence.
But on what basis can we unholy creatures face a holy God?
We have this opportunity, because our God is a seeking and a saving God. He is:
(1 Tim 2:3-4) ... God our Saviour, (4) who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.
God does not want any person to perish. God takes no pleasure in the death of wicked men, rather, he waits for the wicked to turn from their ways and live. Through the prophet Ezekiel the Lord asks,
(Ezek 18:23) Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked? ... Rather, am I not pleased when they turn from their ways and live?
Just as a parent cannot abandon a badly behaved son or daughter, so the Lord cannot desert his sinful people. Rather, he loves us, wants to save us from ourselves and he listens to our prayers.
It is because God seeks the salvation of all and the destruction of none that he commands us to make "requests, prayers, intercessions and thanksgiving" for everyone (1 Tim 2:1). It is only because God wants to seek and save everyone, that we can and have to offer our prayers, for everyone. The result of our prayers is “that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.”(1Tim 2:2)
But many resist this seeking and saving God. We often are so consumed by our selfishness and pride and our own ideas, that we resist God's quest to grant us peaceful and quiet lives. We rather choose to run from our Father, and seek what cannot satisfy.
Did you come to the Lord to be cared for and receive God’s affection yesterday?
But on what basis can we unholy creatures face a holy God?
We have this opportunity, because our God is a seeking and a saving God. He is:
(1 Tim 2:3-4) ... God our Saviour, (4) who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.
God does not want any person to perish. God takes no pleasure in the death of wicked men, rather, he waits for the wicked to turn from their ways and live. Through the prophet Ezekiel the Lord asks,
(Ezek 18:23) Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked? ... Rather, am I not pleased when they turn from their ways and live?
Just as a parent cannot abandon a badly behaved son or daughter, so the Lord cannot desert his sinful people. Rather, he loves us, wants to save us from ourselves and he listens to our prayers.
It is because God seeks the salvation of all and the destruction of none that he commands us to make "requests, prayers, intercessions and thanksgiving" for everyone (1 Tim 2:1). It is only because God wants to seek and save everyone, that we can and have to offer our prayers, for everyone. The result of our prayers is “that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.”(1Tim 2:2)
But many resist this seeking and saving God. We often are so consumed by our selfishness and pride and our own ideas, that we resist God's quest to grant us peaceful and quiet lives. We rather choose to run from our Father, and seek what cannot satisfy.
Did you come to the Lord to be cared for and receive God’s affection yesterday?
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Seek God’s leading and his will. (2)
Do not even try to avoid the most important question in your life: "What does God want me to do? What is his will?" Because God, not man, is in control.
In the Book of Proverbs, it is clearly taught that although man may have many ideas and plans, God makes the decisions. We make plans and have dreams, but in the end we can do no more and no less than what God intends. Even if we are in denial of this, God's blue print for our lives and not our ideas are implemented. Man consider, dream and plan, but it is God who decides and does according to his will and pleasure.
Listen to some of the wisdom in Proverbs about this truth:
Prov 16:1 - To man belong the plans of the heart, but from the LORD comes the reply of the tongue.
Prov 16:9 - In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.
Prov 19:21 - Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails.
Prov 20:24 - A man's steps are directed by the LORD. How then can anyone understand his own way?
Prov 21:30 - There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the LORD.
The inspired message here is clear: God is sovereign, he is in control and it is his purpose and his plans that always in the end are fulfilled. No plan can succeed against the Lord’s will.
The Book of James is well aware of this wisdom. James also reminds us that in the final instance we are not in control of our lives, only God is.
James 4:14 - “Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.”
We do not hold the future in our hands. And we are not in charge of today. All our days are in the hands of God.
My life is not my own, because it belongs to God. God numbers my days and counts the hair on my head, meaning that God takes decisions that impact on the details of my life. The fool says - today or tomorrow I am going to this or that city to do business and make money. Those with insight and wisdom will say - “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that." James 4: 15.
Nobody knows if today is our last day, or tomorrow, or next week, or next month, or next year. We just don't know because our lives, its days, weeks and its years, are not in our hands. It is in the hands of God. God is in control.
Therefore, to be wise and to be safe, ask for God’s will in everything you do, seek his will and his leading. Be what God intends. Stop resisting his will. And he will add his blessings to your plan and his grace to your desires.
Prov 16:9 - In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.
In the Book of Proverbs, it is clearly taught that although man may have many ideas and plans, God makes the decisions. We make plans and have dreams, but in the end we can do no more and no less than what God intends. Even if we are in denial of this, God's blue print for our lives and not our ideas are implemented. Man consider, dream and plan, but it is God who decides and does according to his will and pleasure.
Listen to some of the wisdom in Proverbs about this truth:
Prov 16:1 - To man belong the plans of the heart, but from the LORD comes the reply of the tongue.
Prov 16:9 - In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.
Prov 19:21 - Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails.
Prov 20:24 - A man's steps are directed by the LORD. How then can anyone understand his own way?
Prov 21:30 - There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the LORD.
The inspired message here is clear: God is sovereign, he is in control and it is his purpose and his plans that always in the end are fulfilled. No plan can succeed against the Lord’s will.
The Book of James is well aware of this wisdom. James also reminds us that in the final instance we are not in control of our lives, only God is.
James 4:14 - “Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.”
We do not hold the future in our hands. And we are not in charge of today. All our days are in the hands of God.
My life is not my own, because it belongs to God. God numbers my days and counts the hair on my head, meaning that God takes decisions that impact on the details of my life. The fool says - today or tomorrow I am going to this or that city to do business and make money. Those with insight and wisdom will say - “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that." James 4: 15.
Nobody knows if today is our last day, or tomorrow, or next week, or next month, or next year. We just don't know because our lives, its days, weeks and its years, are not in our hands. It is in the hands of God. God is in control.
Therefore, to be wise and to be safe, ask for God’s will in everything you do, seek his will and his leading. Be what God intends. Stop resisting his will. And he will add his blessings to your plan and his grace to your desires.
Prov 16:9 - In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.
Monday, January 10, 2011
Epiphany: Christ Jesus came into the world.
1 Tim 1: 15: "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners."
One of the important things revealed in this verse about Christ is that he "came into the world." The New Testament word for "world" in the first place means our universe, all that has been created, the sun, stars, moon and earth, and everything that is in them. Paul reminds us that Jesus came from outside our universe, from the eternal and spiritual home of God into this physical, created universe that has a beginning and will have an end. When John deals with this same truth he says that Jesus "became flesh and made his dwelling among us" (Jn 1:14).
When Jesus entered the physical universe, the eternal, holy, spiritual God became one with us by receiving our human nature. “To the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honour and glory for ever and ever”.( 1Tim 1: 17). The almighty, ever-glorious God took on frail, humble, human flesh. In Jesus God came to share our fragile human experience so often filled with pain, unfairness and injustice. And he came to save us from it all.
The New Testament word for "world" also refers to that part of the universe that suffers under sin and death. It reminds us that the physical existence of the human race as part of the created order, was shattered by the fall into sin of mankind and is under the judgment of God.
Our verse tells us that "Christ Jesus came into the world" — a world under judgement as a result of sin and evil. Into this world he came to reveal the glory of God, and the glory of the Son of God. He revealed the pure, righteous, immortal, invisible and holy God to our sin stricken existence when he took on our frail human nature. Paul also speaks of this when he says,
{2 Cor 5:21} God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
This is the same as when you and I would have to go to prison, taking on the identity of a criminal. That is a terrible thought! But that is what Christ did when he "came into the world." He who is the glory of the holy God, freely decided to carry the punishment for our disobedience, in our place. Thus he revealed the divine love, grace and mercy of God. He gave us an epiphany of our LORD of light and mercy.
We are blessed when we see his glory and where he comes from, and we in faith accept him who brought the light of heaven into our darkness, and the joy of God’s love into our sad, destructive lives. We have seen the glory of the Son of God, and we rejoice in being his own.
One of the important things revealed in this verse about Christ is that he "came into the world." The New Testament word for "world" in the first place means our universe, all that has been created, the sun, stars, moon and earth, and everything that is in them. Paul reminds us that Jesus came from outside our universe, from the eternal and spiritual home of God into this physical, created universe that has a beginning and will have an end. When John deals with this same truth he says that Jesus "became flesh and made his dwelling among us" (Jn 1:14).
When Jesus entered the physical universe, the eternal, holy, spiritual God became one with us by receiving our human nature. “To the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honour and glory for ever and ever”.( 1Tim 1: 17). The almighty, ever-glorious God took on frail, humble, human flesh. In Jesus God came to share our fragile human experience so often filled with pain, unfairness and injustice. And he came to save us from it all.
The New Testament word for "world" also refers to that part of the universe that suffers under sin and death. It reminds us that the physical existence of the human race as part of the created order, was shattered by the fall into sin of mankind and is under the judgment of God.
Our verse tells us that "Christ Jesus came into the world" — a world under judgement as a result of sin and evil. Into this world he came to reveal the glory of God, and the glory of the Son of God. He revealed the pure, righteous, immortal, invisible and holy God to our sin stricken existence when he took on our frail human nature. Paul also speaks of this when he says,
{2 Cor 5:21} God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
This is the same as when you and I would have to go to prison, taking on the identity of a criminal. That is a terrible thought! But that is what Christ did when he "came into the world." He who is the glory of the holy God, freely decided to carry the punishment for our disobedience, in our place. Thus he revealed the divine love, grace and mercy of God. He gave us an epiphany of our LORD of light and mercy.
We are blessed when we see his glory and where he comes from, and we in faith accept him who brought the light of heaven into our darkness, and the joy of God’s love into our sad, destructive lives. We have seen the glory of the Son of God, and we rejoice in being his own.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Seek God’s leading and his will. (1)
James 4: 13 – 16: Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” As it is, you boast in your arrogant schemes. All such boasting is evil.
In verse 13 James pictures business people making plans for future ventures. They say,
(James 4:13) "Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money."
They pick the day of their departure, "today or tomorrow" and they pick the city they want to visit, "this or that city," and decide how long they are going to stay there - "a year." They declare their intention to "carry on business." and to "make money." But they do not recognise God’s leading and will in any of this!
James gives these business people as an example with a warning: "Don't be like them," he wants to say.
James warns us against a worldly outlook on life, which makes us believe that we are completely in control of our lives. This world view has no place for God and although some may be nominal believers in God, they live like atheists – as if God does not exist, as if they are masters of their lives and as if they do not need to consult with God, or listen to him, or desire his leading in their lives, because they, and only they, are in charge of their lives.
Can you expect God’s blessing, protection and guidance when he has no place in your plans, desires, diary, budget, or in any way plays any role in your planning your day to day business?
Let’s take care, this year, not to be professing Christians who come to church when it suits us, pray when we are in trouble, but on a day to day basis live as practising atheists. It is so easy to make plans for 2011 and have wonderful dreams for our children – yet all the time neglect God’s will, God’s plan and God’s leading in all of these important matters. Don’t even try to avoid the most important question in your life: "What does God want me to do? What is his will?"
Listen to the warning James gives us today: James 4: 14 - 16 You do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” As it is, you boast in your arrogant schemes. All such boasting is evil.
If it is the Lord’s will, we will live, and we will surrender ourselves to his will and his values this year. He is our Head and our King! We will do what he asks and we will go where he sends and we will follow his leading.
In verse 13 James pictures business people making plans for future ventures. They say,
(James 4:13) "Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money."
They pick the day of their departure, "today or tomorrow" and they pick the city they want to visit, "this or that city," and decide how long they are going to stay there - "a year." They declare their intention to "carry on business." and to "make money." But they do not recognise God’s leading and will in any of this!
James gives these business people as an example with a warning: "Don't be like them," he wants to say.
James warns us against a worldly outlook on life, which makes us believe that we are completely in control of our lives. This world view has no place for God and although some may be nominal believers in God, they live like atheists – as if God does not exist, as if they are masters of their lives and as if they do not need to consult with God, or listen to him, or desire his leading in their lives, because they, and only they, are in charge of their lives.
Can you expect God’s blessing, protection and guidance when he has no place in your plans, desires, diary, budget, or in any way plays any role in your planning your day to day business?
Let’s take care, this year, not to be professing Christians who come to church when it suits us, pray when we are in trouble, but on a day to day basis live as practising atheists. It is so easy to make plans for 2011 and have wonderful dreams for our children – yet all the time neglect God’s will, God’s plan and God’s leading in all of these important matters. Don’t even try to avoid the most important question in your life: "What does God want me to do? What is his will?"
Listen to the warning James gives us today: James 4: 14 - 16 You do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” As it is, you boast in your arrogant schemes. All such boasting is evil.
If it is the Lord’s will, we will live, and we will surrender ourselves to his will and his values this year. He is our Head and our King! We will do what he asks and we will go where he sends and we will follow his leading.
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Take heart during 2011 – God is on your side!
"Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners." This statement from 1 Tim 1:15 sums up the entire ministry and life of Jesus: to save sinners. It explains why God became a man in Jesus. It is the most glorious proof of God's love for us. It is the foundation of the Christian message and the single key to understanding everything written in the Bible.
The good news of God is equally clear to young and old, to experienced and not experienced Christians: Christ Jesus is God who became a human being in order to save sinners, like me and you.
Whenever we find our faith wavering and we are confused about the true meaning of the Gospel message, we should spend some time reflecting on this truth. It is of vital importance. In what Jesus came to accomplish for us, we learn that God is now on our side. We also need to learn how to be on the side of God!
Our failure to love and our inability to first of all live for God, clearly show that we are sinners. We all are the sinners Christ came to save. We all are guilty before God. Yet - "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners." We know that Christ had to come, because if he didn't, none of us could be saved. We know that all of us need saving and that not one of us can save ourselves.
But what does it mean to be saved? It means forgiveness of sins, reconciliation with God, freely being given the righteousness of Christ as our own and being bought by the blood of Jesus. It means God's justice has been satisfied by Jesus and we have been accepted by God for the sake of Christ Jesus. The darkness of our sin is replaced by the light of Christ's presence in our lives.
To be saved therefore also means to receive everlasting life. Because Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary and went the way of the cross and of the victory of resurrection, God’s children receive everlasting life.
And because we are saved, we enter 2011 with confidence and hope. We are never alone. We are under no judgement or curse anymore. We are saved from the perils that are the result of our imperfection and disobedience. We are saved from our sins, and therefore our faith gives us the courage to look forward to being the followers of Jesus during this year, in spite of its uncertainties and concerns!
Take heart – Christ Jesus became one of us, to save us from our sins and the consequences of our foolishness. Be courageous and enter into a new year with joy and with peace in your heart! Even before we tread the first uncertain step into 2011, we are saved from ourselves and God is with us in Jesus Christ, through the work of his Holy Spirit.
May you experience God’s grace and mercy during every day of 2011!!
The good news of God is equally clear to young and old, to experienced and not experienced Christians: Christ Jesus is God who became a human being in order to save sinners, like me and you.
Whenever we find our faith wavering and we are confused about the true meaning of the Gospel message, we should spend some time reflecting on this truth. It is of vital importance. In what Jesus came to accomplish for us, we learn that God is now on our side. We also need to learn how to be on the side of God!
Our failure to love and our inability to first of all live for God, clearly show that we are sinners. We all are the sinners Christ came to save. We all are guilty before God. Yet - "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners." We know that Christ had to come, because if he didn't, none of us could be saved. We know that all of us need saving and that not one of us can save ourselves.
But what does it mean to be saved? It means forgiveness of sins, reconciliation with God, freely being given the righteousness of Christ as our own and being bought by the blood of Jesus. It means God's justice has been satisfied by Jesus and we have been accepted by God for the sake of Christ Jesus. The darkness of our sin is replaced by the light of Christ's presence in our lives.
To be saved therefore also means to receive everlasting life. Because Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary and went the way of the cross and of the victory of resurrection, God’s children receive everlasting life.
And because we are saved, we enter 2011 with confidence and hope. We are never alone. We are under no judgement or curse anymore. We are saved from the perils that are the result of our imperfection and disobedience. We are saved from our sins, and therefore our faith gives us the courage to look forward to being the followers of Jesus during this year, in spite of its uncertainties and concerns!
Take heart – Christ Jesus became one of us, to save us from our sins and the consequences of our foolishness. Be courageous and enter into a new year with joy and with peace in your heart! Even before we tread the first uncertain step into 2011, we are saved from ourselves and God is with us in Jesus Christ, through the work of his Holy Spirit.
May you experience God’s grace and mercy during every day of 2011!!
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