In the intensity of major decisions, the wonderment of a temporal life which cannot see tomorrow, the desire to find the very best of everything, we riffle through theology looking for "His will." We plead at the steps of the eternal for one clear direction, one intelligible answer. Seeking His will can be a frustrating and confusing process. How are all those Bible study teachers "hearing His voice?" Am I just not godly enough?
I wonder what our lives would look like, if we spent less time seeking the exact answer, and devoted ourselves to seeking Him. Isn't it so much better to know His character, His power, and His Sovereignty than to know what tomorrow holds?
How blessed are those whose way is blameless,
Who walk in the law of the Lord.
How blessed are those who observe His testimonies,
Who seek Him with all their heart.
Psalm 119:1-2
When we grow in the knowledge of our God, we will simultaneously come to know His will better.
Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil. So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another is psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord; always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father; and be subject to one another in the fear of Christ. Ephesians 5:15-21.
So how do we know God's will?
Seek God with all your heart. Do not let any trappings of religion, any sin, or any selfishness deter you from devouring His word, falling face down in prayer, and lifting your heart in worship.
His plan will never contradict His character.
His will is always unity in the body, gratefulness in believers' hearts, and faithful, wise, useful followers.
If the God you have come to know is faithful and true, then He cares about your tomorrow. He will not let you stumble.
Saturday, July 16, 2016
Sunday, July 10, 2016
To Obey or Not to Obey: Who is King?
http://www.christianitytoday.com/gleanings/2016/june/no-evangelizing-outside-of-church-russia-proposes.html
"Russia's Newest Law: No Evangelizing Outside of the Church"
I forget sometimes what a blessing it is to blog for all three of my readers, to speak of God's goodness, to ask hard questions, and still to walk freely and without fear. What I sometimes force myself to do is what laws in other places demand Christians never do: speak truth.
I do not generally take to disparaging religions in this blog. I believe there will be men of every tribe, tongue, nation, culture, and religious affiliation in heaven. The opposite is also, sadly, very much true. God has very little interest in our religion, and much more interest in whether we receive the grace of the cross and the power of the resurrection, forgiveness of sins and faith in His Name.
That being said, originally coming from Utah, I had several Mormon friends post the following official response from the LDS church to the new legislation in Russia. From http://www.ldsliving.com/Church-Responds-to-Russia-s-Law-Banning-Missionary-Work/s/82606:
"The church will honor, sustain and obey the law. Missionaries will remain in Russia and will work within the requirements of these changes."
Why do Mormons have to obey the law? Because mostly they live by law and not by grace. Because they answer to men; to bishops, presidents, or prophets first, and not to the living, radical, sovereign God.
Any work we believe we can do to earn salvation nullifies grace. If we could attain any amount of God's favor in our own effort, then Christ died for nothing. If anyone can stand between you and your God as mediator other than the sinless priest, Jesus Christ, then you are still in your sins.
Those who have the words of life will not be silenced by any human requirement. Christians ought to live with honor and respect for all, even when faith necessitates rebellion. Evangelism is necessary. And now, evangelism is rebellion.
The issue of obedience to human authority is not a simple matter in the believer's life. We are urged to be subject and to obey. 1 Peter 2: 13-15 "Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority, or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and praise of those who do right. For such is the will of God that by doing right you may silence the ignorance of foolish men."
We willingly submit to human authority because we know ultimately we are under God's authority. However, when human power requires sin of the believer, we submit first to Jesus Christ as King. Christians are called to share their faith, to make disciples, to be light in a dark world. When human authority demands we stop living in obedience to Christ's calling, then we rebel.
Who is your king? Do you obey men, live in a safe world, stay silent for fear? Or do you worship an almighty God, the ultimate judge, the Savior who has required us to go and make disciples.
Christians should ever display this great paradox: honor and rebellion.
Let us pray for the believers in Russia. Persecution is coming. But God has already overcome.
Let us pray for the unbelievers in Russia. May God's grace be declared from the hills all the louder when voices are ordered to be silent.
"Russia's Newest Law: No Evangelizing Outside of the Church"
I forget sometimes what a blessing it is to blog for all three of my readers, to speak of God's goodness, to ask hard questions, and still to walk freely and without fear. What I sometimes force myself to do is what laws in other places demand Christians never do: speak truth.
I do not generally take to disparaging religions in this blog. I believe there will be men of every tribe, tongue, nation, culture, and religious affiliation in heaven. The opposite is also, sadly, very much true. God has very little interest in our religion, and much more interest in whether we receive the grace of the cross and the power of the resurrection, forgiveness of sins and faith in His Name.
That being said, originally coming from Utah, I had several Mormon friends post the following official response from the LDS church to the new legislation in Russia. From http://www.ldsliving.com/Church-Responds-to-Russia-s-Law-Banning-Missionary-Work/s/82606:
"The church will honor, sustain and obey the law. Missionaries will remain in Russia and will work within the requirements of these changes."
Why do Mormons have to obey the law? Because mostly they live by law and not by grace. Because they answer to men; to bishops, presidents, or prophets first, and not to the living, radical, sovereign God.
Any work we believe we can do to earn salvation nullifies grace. If we could attain any amount of God's favor in our own effort, then Christ died for nothing. If anyone can stand between you and your God as mediator other than the sinless priest, Jesus Christ, then you are still in your sins.
Those who have the words of life will not be silenced by any human requirement. Christians ought to live with honor and respect for all, even when faith necessitates rebellion. Evangelism is necessary. And now, evangelism is rebellion.
The issue of obedience to human authority is not a simple matter in the believer's life. We are urged to be subject and to obey. 1 Peter 2: 13-15 "Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority, or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and praise of those who do right. For such is the will of God that by doing right you may silence the ignorance of foolish men."
We willingly submit to human authority because we know ultimately we are under God's authority. However, when human power requires sin of the believer, we submit first to Jesus Christ as King. Christians are called to share their faith, to make disciples, to be light in a dark world. When human authority demands we stop living in obedience to Christ's calling, then we rebel.
Who is your king? Do you obey men, live in a safe world, stay silent for fear? Or do you worship an almighty God, the ultimate judge, the Savior who has required us to go and make disciples.
Christians should ever display this great paradox: honor and rebellion.
Let us pray for the believers in Russia. Persecution is coming. But God has already overcome.
Let us pray for the unbelievers in Russia. May God's grace be declared from the hills all the louder when voices are ordered to be silent.
Saturday, July 9, 2016
Remind me again
Tell me the story slowly, that I may take it in,
That wonderful redemption, God's remedy for sin.
Tell me the story often, for I forget so soon;
The early dew of morning has passed away at noon.
I have heard many in the pews complain about a pastor's repetition. Same sermon. Same lesson. I know this already. I would gently remind them of how many times God repeats himself in the Scriptures. We need reminders. We need the truths of the gospel, grace, and God's character repeated to us day after day. There is nothing stagnant about the Scriptures; truth makes dead things radically alive!
2 Peter 1:12-13 Therefore, I will always be ready to remind you of these things, even though you already know them, and have been established in the truth which is present with you. I consider it right, as long as I am in this earthly dwelling, to stir you up by way of reminder.
Truth leads to transformation. Hearing God's Word should encourage us to examine our lives, to be absolutely sure that we are living out the truth we claim. It does little good to memorize The Great Commission if we have no intention of making disciples. Knowing Psalm 23, "The Lord is my Shepherd" is useless if we live in fear, anxiety, and need. When you hear a sermon, or engage in a study that you think you know, pay even closer attention. It is often in the simple, familiar commandments that we most easily stumble.
That wonderful redemption, God's remedy for sin.
Tell me the story often, for I forget so soon;
The early dew of morning has passed away at noon.
I have heard many in the pews complain about a pastor's repetition. Same sermon. Same lesson. I know this already. I would gently remind them of how many times God repeats himself in the Scriptures. We need reminders. We need the truths of the gospel, grace, and God's character repeated to us day after day. There is nothing stagnant about the Scriptures; truth makes dead things radically alive!
2 Peter 1:12-13 Therefore, I will always be ready to remind you of these things, even though you already know them, and have been established in the truth which is present with you. I consider it right, as long as I am in this earthly dwelling, to stir you up by way of reminder.
Truth leads to transformation. Hearing God's Word should encourage us to examine our lives, to be absolutely sure that we are living out the truth we claim. It does little good to memorize The Great Commission if we have no intention of making disciples. Knowing Psalm 23, "The Lord is my Shepherd" is useless if we live in fear, anxiety, and need. When you hear a sermon, or engage in a study that you think you know, pay even closer attention. It is often in the simple, familiar commandments that we most easily stumble.
Sunday, July 3, 2016
The Root of our Spiritual Disasters
How much do we sacrifice for lack of knowledge of the word?
Our God is small because we do not know Him.
Our church is broken because we do not understand Him.
Our identity is a lie for lack of a mirror.
Our joy sleeps because it forgets how to sing.
Our faith quivers at the gentlest cut; because we dismiss the witnesses.
Our wings crack under the scorch of sin, forgetting ten thousand generations of history.
Our life is a dark and shadowy reflection of Christ; because we do not know His heart.
Psalm 19:7-11
The Law of the LORD is perfect, restoring the soul;
The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.
The precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart;
The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.
The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever;
The judgments of the LORD are true; they are righteous altogether.
They are more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold;
Sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb.
Moreover, by them Your servant is warned;
In keeping them there is great reward.
Do not leave reward and blessing and courage and hope and power and forgiveness and love and unity and life on the table, when this virtue and freedom is available for a moment of our time and a quietness in our heart. Open the Bible.
Our God is small because we do not know Him.
Our church is broken because we do not understand Him.
Our identity is a lie for lack of a mirror.
Our joy sleeps because it forgets how to sing.
Our faith quivers at the gentlest cut; because we dismiss the witnesses.
Our wings crack under the scorch of sin, forgetting ten thousand generations of history.
Our life is a dark and shadowy reflection of Christ; because we do not know His heart.
Psalm 19:7-11
The Law of the LORD is perfect, restoring the soul;
The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.
The precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart;
The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.
The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever;
The judgments of the LORD are true; they are righteous altogether.
They are more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold;
Sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb.
Moreover, by them Your servant is warned;
In keeping them there is great reward.
Do not leave reward and blessing and courage and hope and power and forgiveness and love and unity and life on the table, when this virtue and freedom is available for a moment of our time and a quietness in our heart. Open the Bible.
Saturday, July 2, 2016
The Villian Concert?
Certain battles are always being fought in the pews. As long as human beings fill those seats the battles against our flesh will erupt in some unkind volcano or another. However, it is the battle over Sunday morning worship that seems to boil the utmost of our pettiness and spew the ultimate of our malice.
In the sanctuary of my church back home there are florescent lights and softer can lights. Several times my husband and I requested that we turn off the florescent lights during the worship session. That industrial glare seemed so harsh, so external. We were told "No." So we worshipped in the cold, flickering lights. Because He is worthy of worship.
We were told "No" with the justification that having only the softer lights would make worship seem, "Too much like a concert."
There are worse things for our praises to be.
When was the last time you went to a concert? Did the people sit in disengaged stillness? Did they wonder when this song would be over, why none of their friends were there, why all the lights were low? Was the somberness palpable? Was the boredom consuming?
Let's imagine for a moment that every Sunday morning we did not attend a worship service. Let's imagine we attended the King's concert. We would sing with joy. With would jump with victory. We would dance with passion. That's right. We would dance. All of our friends would be there, rejoicing with us, and though we may not notice, the angels would lend their delight. We would not notice the lights, or the sounds, or the smell of the room. Because we came for Him. Not for us. A concert for the King: loud, vibrant, slaves set free clapping rhythms to their Savior, warriors dancing honor to the Lord, mourners weeping "It Is Well."
I think that is what Psalm 150 had in mind. A concert. To the King. Because He is worthy.
Praise the Lord!
Praise God in His sanctuary;
Praise Him in His mighty expanse.
Praise Him for His mighty deeds;
Praise Him according to His excellent greatness.
Praise Him with trumpet sound;
Praise Him with hard and lyre.
Praise Him with timbrel and dancing;
Praise Him with stringed instruments and pipe.
Praise Him with loud cymbals;
Praise Him with resounding cymbals.
Let everything that has breath praise the LORD.
Praise the LORD!
Maybe it is because I belong to the drummer. He mentions cymbals twice. And they are supposed to be loud. We have every reason, breathing saints, to praise Him.
In the sanctuary of my church back home there are florescent lights and softer can lights. Several times my husband and I requested that we turn off the florescent lights during the worship session. That industrial glare seemed so harsh, so external. We were told "No." So we worshipped in the cold, flickering lights. Because He is worthy of worship.
We were told "No" with the justification that having only the softer lights would make worship seem, "Too much like a concert."
There are worse things for our praises to be.
When was the last time you went to a concert? Did the people sit in disengaged stillness? Did they wonder when this song would be over, why none of their friends were there, why all the lights were low? Was the somberness palpable? Was the boredom consuming?
Let's imagine for a moment that every Sunday morning we did not attend a worship service. Let's imagine we attended the King's concert. We would sing with joy. With would jump with victory. We would dance with passion. That's right. We would dance. All of our friends would be there, rejoicing with us, and though we may not notice, the angels would lend their delight. We would not notice the lights, or the sounds, or the smell of the room. Because we came for Him. Not for us. A concert for the King: loud, vibrant, slaves set free clapping rhythms to their Savior, warriors dancing honor to the Lord, mourners weeping "It Is Well."
I think that is what Psalm 150 had in mind. A concert. To the King. Because He is worthy.
Praise the Lord!
Praise God in His sanctuary;
Praise Him in His mighty expanse.
Praise Him for His mighty deeds;
Praise Him according to His excellent greatness.
Praise Him with trumpet sound;
Praise Him with hard and lyre.
Praise Him with timbrel and dancing;
Praise Him with stringed instruments and pipe.
Praise Him with loud cymbals;
Praise Him with resounding cymbals.
Let everything that has breath praise the LORD.
Praise the LORD!
Maybe it is because I belong to the drummer. He mentions cymbals twice. And they are supposed to be loud. We have every reason, breathing saints, to praise Him.
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