I have missed portraits of God around me because I have stopped looking. As I look around me, God is beginning to show me examples and portraits of Himself everywhere. For example:
Marriage - I know that I said I was going to post my thoughts on this matter in about a week or so, but I cannot wait. Marriage is an incredible picture of our relationship with God. So often, we approach our relationship to God with a formula, a series of steps, an empty dry approach to "knowing" God. If I approached my wife n the same way, I would get slapped. A marriage is a relationship in which you get to know each other through experiencing life together. The same is true of God. I would never know God as well as I do if it were not for the circumstances of life that I have gone through. I would not get to know God better without going through a variety of circumstances both good and bad. Marriage is supposed to be a daily reminder our how we are to approach God, how we are to know God. It is to be a picture of our responsibility and role of relating to God. Yet, I miss this every day.
Adoption - An incredible picture of what God has done for us. Yet, when I look at adoption, I am not reminded of what God has done for me. I simply see a practice established in order to help needy children. God wants this to be a picture of what He has done for me as His child. He has taken me from the depth of despair, depravity, sin, and hopelessness and clothed me with the finest garments of righteousness, wiping away my guilt, my sin, my deserved punishment. If He had stopped there, it would be been enough. But no, He went on to prepare a place for me in His mansion in Heaven and to make me a co-heir with Christ, His Son, who died in my place. No way! There is no way that I deserve that kind of treatment. I pray that I never look at adoption again. Perhaps I will even consider adoption for my fourth child in order to keep this reminder in front of me.
Children - What an incredible picture. As I go through each day, I look at what my children put me through! :) I even commented the other day that I now understand what I put my parents through. On a much grander scale, I now am beginning to understand but I put my Heavenly Father through on a daily basis. I am nothing more than a mere immature child at heart. But, as I parent and love my kids, I am reminded of God's love and faithfulness to me. Children are to be a constant reminder of our relationship to God. How often I miss this.
Nature - As I watch the animals eat and thrive. As I watch the rain feed the earth. As I watch crops being harvested. As I watch the storms blow. All of it, is a reminder to me of how powerful and in control God is. How often I am driving down the road and fail to notice God. How often I watch the storms amazed at its power and fail to credit God with the glory. How often I miss God.
All of life truly is about God. From beginning to end. Nothing else matters. Everything points to God and to God alone. Why do I fail to see this? Why do I refuse to credit God where He is due? Why do I not see? God forgive me. Open my eyes to see and my heart to receive. Paint me a vivid and clear picture of you that will forever be burned on my heart!
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Adoption
Click on the link below, watch the video, then come back and finish reading.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jwAyPG3tv4Q
Think about what it would mean to one of those children to be plucked from their poverty, disease ridden state and adopted into your family. No, don't read on until you have really thought about what it would mean.
Now, think about your state of being before Christ adopted you into His family? (Ephesians 1) Think about the hopeless of your condition. Then, think about what is means that God chose you and pulled you from that state and made you an heir with Christ to the throne of Heaven.
Let that reality sink in.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jwAyPG3tv4Q
Think about what it would mean to one of those children to be plucked from their poverty, disease ridden state and adopted into your family. No, don't read on until you have really thought about what it would mean.
Now, think about your state of being before Christ adopted you into His family? (Ephesians 1) Think about the hopeless of your condition. Then, think about what is means that God chose you and pulled you from that state and made you an heir with Christ to the throne of Heaven.
Let that reality sink in.
Spending Time
Spend time with those less fortunate than yourself. Less fortunate in possessions, health, knowledge, skill, whatever it may be. Spend time with those less fortunate than yourself and watch what it does to your own desires and dreams.
Each Believer as an Apostle
Just as Christ was sent by His Father; just as Paul and others in the scriptures were apostles (sent ones) of Christ; so are we as believers apostles. Matthew 28:19-20 make it clear that we are being sent into the world to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We are being sent by Christ to spread the news of our sin, His holiness, and His act of redemption on our behalf.
The act of sending us as believers into the word (thus making us apostles) has several implication:
1. Our lives have greater meaning and purpose than we are living them to. We have a high calling, a high purpose that I do not believe the majority of Christians, beginning with me, live up to. We go through life looking for meaning and purpose. The problem is, we are looking in all of the wrong places; favor and approval of men, success in material possession and career, self help books, and on and on The purpose and meaning our lives is found in scripture. If only we would look to it, accept it, and embrace it with whole hearted devotion.
2. We are not alone. God has sent us to do His will, to do His work. He will not leave us to do it alone. He provides the grace, the faith, and the desire to do it. Nothing comes from us. What a relief!
3. When people reject what we share, they are not rejecting us, but God. Since it is God who sent us, God who empowers, enables, and gives the message to share, when they reject it, they are not rejecting us but the one who sent us. Thus we should not develop a complex when rejected, it is not about us! It is about God! Of course, a rejection of God ought to build a divine fire in us that spurs us on to continue to preach and teach with fervor and passion! If the death and suffering of Christ means anything, we ought to be driven ON by rejection, not put OFF by it!
So, Michael...what will I do with my calling as an apostle of Jesus Christ? Will I embrace it and allow the grace, faith, and power of God to flow through me to carry it out, or will I shrink away for fear of rejection and ridicule? God help me to embrace the calling, be filled with power and passion, and carry it forth!
The act of sending us as believers into the word (thus making us apostles) has several implication:
1. Our lives have greater meaning and purpose than we are living them to. We have a high calling, a high purpose that I do not believe the majority of Christians, beginning with me, live up to. We go through life looking for meaning and purpose. The problem is, we are looking in all of the wrong places; favor and approval of men, success in material possession and career, self help books, and on and on The purpose and meaning our lives is found in scripture. If only we would look to it, accept it, and embrace it with whole hearted devotion.
2. We are not alone. God has sent us to do His will, to do His work. He will not leave us to do it alone. He provides the grace, the faith, and the desire to do it. Nothing comes from us. What a relief!
3. When people reject what we share, they are not rejecting us, but God. Since it is God who sent us, God who empowers, enables, and gives the message to share, when they reject it, they are not rejecting us but the one who sent us. Thus we should not develop a complex when rejected, it is not about us! It is about God! Of course, a rejection of God ought to build a divine fire in us that spurs us on to continue to preach and teach with fervor and passion! If the death and suffering of Christ means anything, we ought to be driven ON by rejection, not put OFF by it!
So, Michael...what will I do with my calling as an apostle of Jesus Christ? Will I embrace it and allow the grace, faith, and power of God to flow through me to carry it out, or will I shrink away for fear of rejection and ridicule? God help me to embrace the calling, be filled with power and passion, and carry it forth!
Jesus the Apostle
Here is a little known way to think of Christ Jesus; as an Apostle. Specifically as the Supreme Apostle. For He was sent by God the Father in order to accomplis the task of redemption. He repeatedly says that He had come to do the will of "Him who sent Me."
Personally I have not thought of Christ in this manner, but He was an apostle (sent one); indeed the Supreme Aposlte.
Personally I have not thought of Christ in this manner, but He was an apostle (sent one); indeed the Supreme Aposlte.
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
God in Marriage
I have been listening to "Tattoo on the Heart" by Paul Dabdoub. The book is all about ones relationship with God and what it looks like. He helps to draw a great picture of what our relationship with God ought to look like. One of the best pictures of what our relationship to God ought to be like comes from marriage. Before I share my thoughts on the matter and help to draw what an incredible picture this is, I would like to ask for your help.
As you look at marriage, what does it reveal to you about what our relationship to God ought to be like?
As you look at marriage, what does it reveal to you about what our relationship to God ought to be like?
Romans 1:13-15
Romans 1:13-15
13(A)I do not want you to be unaware, (B)brethren, that often I (C)have planned to come to you (and have been prevented so far) so that I may obtain some (D)fruit among you also, even as among the rest of the Gentiles.
14(E)I am [a]under obligation both to Greeks and to (F)barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish.
15So, for my part, I am eager to (G)preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome.
Paul continues his thought from verses 9-12. He tells the Roman believers that he has tried on numerous occasions to come to them but has been prevented.
First, he calls them Brethren - The Greek word used here is literally brother. Paul wants these believers to realize and understand that they are family; that although he has never met them, they are brothers and family. They are part of the family of God and precious to God, therefore precious to him. I remember my father and men of my church growing up referring to one another as brother. It is a fond memory that I have of growing up in a small community church. I wonder now, have we lost some of what it means to be a FAMILY in Christ? I try to think, when was the last time that I ever heard another Christian call another Christian, brother? Not only that, but in family there is a certain loyalty and and devotion to one another even when mistakes are made. Where is that loyalty in our churches today? Where is that devotion? Where is that love? If one of our children made a serious mistake, would we be so quick to walk out on them and find another family (local church)? Would we be so quick to write them off and no longer associate with them? I think not.
We learn of and see Paul's plans to go to Rome in Acts 19:21 and Romans 15:22ff. He was very intent on going to Rome but each time he made plans, he was prevented from arriving there. His desire for going there was the same as stated in verse five; to bring about the obedience of faith. Here is verse 13 he refers to the obedience of faith as fruit. His desire was to see their faith result in obedience, good works, and be evidenced by their lives and deeds.
In verse fourteen, he makes it clear that his mission was both to Greeks (those of non-Jewish origin; used virtually as a synonym for Gentile) and to barbarians (foreigners).
He is also under obligation (Greek word Opheiletes - to owe, A debtor, one who is indebted to another. One who is obligated to do something. An offender, a trespasser, one who is a debtor or obliged either to reparation or punishment.) to the wise (Greek word - Sophos - derived probably from the Hebrew word sophim, signifying watchman. In the OT, these watchmen used to ascend to the mountains so that they might see all around (Numbers 23:14), but in the absence of mountains, the Greeks just observed the course and motions of the heavens and called themselves Sophoi. Therefore, in its basic meaning, sophos is the one who knows how to regulate his course in view of movements of the heavens or of God. Means wise, skilled, expert, used of workman to show their expertise, prudent, sensible.) and the foolish (Greek word - Anoetos - lacking in intelligence but demonstrating moral fault; one who does not govern his lusts, one without mind, the highest knowing power in man, the organ by which divine things are comprehended and known, being the ultimate seat of error).
Paul was under obligation, as a debtor, to God to preach the gospel and spread the good news of Christ. As a result for what God did in his life, he was under obligation to carry the message of what God did in his life to others. Are we not the same? 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
Paul was sent not just to the foolish but to the wise and learned man. In other words, all the knowledge and expertise in the world does not exempt one from needing God.
Paul understood his task. He understood what God had done on his behalf and as a bond-servant (slave) to God whose will was consumed by God's, he knew he was under obligation to carry the message of the gospel to all peoples. For this reason, according to verse 15, he was pleased and eager to share this gospel with the people at Rome.
Oh that we would be so eager, sensing our own obligation as bond-servants of Christ, to carry that same gospel message to those around us.
13(A)I do not want you to be unaware, (B)brethren, that often I (C)have planned to come to you (and have been prevented so far) so that I may obtain some (D)fruit among you also, even as among the rest of the Gentiles.
14(E)I am [a]under obligation both to Greeks and to (F)barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish.
15So, for my part, I am eager to (G)preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome.
Paul continues his thought from verses 9-12. He tells the Roman believers that he has tried on numerous occasions to come to them but has been prevented.
First, he calls them Brethren - The Greek word used here is literally brother. Paul wants these believers to realize and understand that they are family; that although he has never met them, they are brothers and family. They are part of the family of God and precious to God, therefore precious to him. I remember my father and men of my church growing up referring to one another as brother. It is a fond memory that I have of growing up in a small community church. I wonder now, have we lost some of what it means to be a FAMILY in Christ? I try to think, when was the last time that I ever heard another Christian call another Christian, brother? Not only that, but in family there is a certain loyalty and and devotion to one another even when mistakes are made. Where is that loyalty in our churches today? Where is that devotion? Where is that love? If one of our children made a serious mistake, would we be so quick to walk out on them and find another family (local church)? Would we be so quick to write them off and no longer associate with them? I think not.
We learn of and see Paul's plans to go to Rome in Acts 19:21 and Romans 15:22ff. He was very intent on going to Rome but each time he made plans, he was prevented from arriving there. His desire for going there was the same as stated in verse five; to bring about the obedience of faith. Here is verse 13 he refers to the obedience of faith as fruit. His desire was to see their faith result in obedience, good works, and be evidenced by their lives and deeds.
In verse fourteen, he makes it clear that his mission was both to Greeks (those of non-Jewish origin; used virtually as a synonym for Gentile) and to barbarians (foreigners).
He is also under obligation (Greek word Opheiletes - to owe, A debtor, one who is indebted to another. One who is obligated to do something. An offender, a trespasser, one who is a debtor or obliged either to reparation or punishment.) to the wise (Greek word - Sophos - derived probably from the Hebrew word sophim, signifying watchman. In the OT, these watchmen used to ascend to the mountains so that they might see all around (Numbers 23:14), but in the absence of mountains, the Greeks just observed the course and motions of the heavens and called themselves Sophoi. Therefore, in its basic meaning, sophos is the one who knows how to regulate his course in view of movements of the heavens or of God. Means wise, skilled, expert, used of workman to show their expertise, prudent, sensible.) and the foolish (Greek word - Anoetos - lacking in intelligence but demonstrating moral fault; one who does not govern his lusts, one without mind, the highest knowing power in man, the organ by which divine things are comprehended and known, being the ultimate seat of error).
Paul was under obligation, as a debtor, to God to preach the gospel and spread the good news of Christ. As a result for what God did in his life, he was under obligation to carry the message of what God did in his life to others. Are we not the same? 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
Paul was sent not just to the foolish but to the wise and learned man. In other words, all the knowledge and expertise in the world does not exempt one from needing God.
Paul understood his task. He understood what God had done on his behalf and as a bond-servant (slave) to God whose will was consumed by God's, he knew he was under obligation to carry the message of the gospel to all peoples. For this reason, according to verse 15, he was pleased and eager to share this gospel with the people at Rome.
Oh that we would be so eager, sensing our own obligation as bond-servants of Christ, to carry that same gospel message to those around us.
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