"Know that the Lord is God.
It is he who made us, and we are his,
we are his people the sheep of his pasture."
Ps. 100.3
"This is love: not that we loved God,
but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins." 1 Jn. 4.10
July 30, 2007
July 27, 2007
July 27 - 1 John 4:4-6
I have been reading through 1 John, and I wanted to share this morning's verses.
"You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. They are from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them. We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we recognize the Spirit of truth and the spirit of falsehood." 1 John 4:4-6, NIV
John is talking about recognizing people who have allowed evil spirits, or the spirit of the antichrist to influence their lives and thinking. Basically, anyone who isn't saved by Jesus Christ, or who rejects Jesus' message.
We who have God have overcome the evil false prophets/teachers who were inspired by evil spirits, or the spirit of the antichrist. God lives in us by His Holy Spirit and helps us discern. God, who is in us, is greater than those who are in the world. He has conquered them.
Those who are from the world, speak the viewpoints of the world. Everything holds two philosophies or worldviews: either godly, or worldly. The world will listen to the worldly viewpoints and accept them.
Vs 6) "We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us, but whoever is not from God does not listen to us."
This is talking about Christian worldviews. As a Christians, our philosphy should be different than the world's. We approach situations in light of what the Bible says instead of just our own feelings and emotions, or even popular opinion, as the world approaches most issues.
Take work eithics for example. Hopefully as a Christian, we desire to be honest hard workers because the Bible says, "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men." Col. 3:23. If we believe this verse and apply it to our lives, our attitude at work will probably look different from non-Christians who want to get as far as they can by doing the least amount.
Another major backward worldview, is family and the roles of members in it. Take wives and husbands for example. Most wives and husbands shudder at the word "submit." Women don't like it because it makes them feel less or second class, and men don't like it because it gives them responsibility. Who wants that? When we look at the Bible to consider what our Biblical worldview should be, it's pretty clear! "Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is thehead of the church. [...] Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything." Eph. 5:22-24. These verses don't leave much room for feminism or passive husbands, which is so prevelant in our society. Husbands are not to give up their role as leader. That would be disobedient to God. And wome are to help their husbands lead by following them!
Back to 1 John 4:6
"We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us, but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we recognize the Spirit of truth and the spirit of falsehood."
What worldviews do you encounter throughout your day, that are completely against what our Christian worldview is/should be, as it is based on Scripture? Let me know!
"You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. They are from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them. We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we recognize the Spirit of truth and the spirit of falsehood." 1 John 4:4-6, NIV
John is talking about recognizing people who have allowed evil spirits, or the spirit of the antichrist to influence their lives and thinking. Basically, anyone who isn't saved by Jesus Christ, or who rejects Jesus' message.
We who have God have overcome the evil false prophets/teachers who were inspired by evil spirits, or the spirit of the antichrist. God lives in us by His Holy Spirit and helps us discern. God, who is in us, is greater than those who are in the world. He has conquered them.
Those who are from the world, speak the viewpoints of the world. Everything holds two philosophies or worldviews: either godly, or worldly. The world will listen to the worldly viewpoints and accept them.
Vs 6) "We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us, but whoever is not from God does not listen to us."
This is talking about Christian worldviews. As a Christians, our philosphy should be different than the world's. We approach situations in light of what the Bible says instead of just our own feelings and emotions, or even popular opinion, as the world approaches most issues.
Take work eithics for example. Hopefully as a Christian, we desire to be honest hard workers because the Bible says, "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men." Col. 3:23. If we believe this verse and apply it to our lives, our attitude at work will probably look different from non-Christians who want to get as far as they can by doing the least amount.
Another major backward worldview, is family and the roles of members in it. Take wives and husbands for example. Most wives and husbands shudder at the word "submit." Women don't like it because it makes them feel less or second class, and men don't like it because it gives them responsibility. Who wants that? When we look at the Bible to consider what our Biblical worldview should be, it's pretty clear! "Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is thehead of the church. [...] Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything." Eph. 5:22-24. These verses don't leave much room for feminism or passive husbands, which is so prevelant in our society. Husbands are not to give up their role as leader. That would be disobedient to God. And wome are to help their husbands lead by following them!
Back to 1 John 4:6
"We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us, but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we recognize the Spirit of truth and the spirit of falsehood."
What worldviews do you encounter throughout your day, that are completely against what our Christian worldview is/should be, as it is based on Scripture? Let me know!
July 14, 2007
"Seek Me and Live" Says the Lord
Zephaniah 2:1-3
"Gather together,
O shameful nation,
before the appointed time arrives
and that day sweeps on like chaff,
before the fierce anger of the LORD comes upon you,
before the day of the LORD's wrath comes upon you.
Seek the LORD, all you humble of the land,
you who do what he commands.
Seek righteousness, seek humility;
perhaps you will be sheltered on the day of the LORD's anger."
This is what the Lord says to the house of Israel:
"Seek me and live." Amos 5:4
"Gather together,
O shameful nation,
before the appointed time arrives
and that day sweeps on like chaff,
before the fierce anger of the LORD comes upon you,
before the day of the LORD's wrath comes upon you.
Seek the LORD, all you humble of the land,
you who do what he commands.
Seek righteousness, seek humility;
perhaps you will be sheltered on the day of the LORD's anger."
This is what the Lord says to the house of Israel:
"Seek me and live." Amos 5:4
July 13, 2007
James 5:1-12 ~ July 13, 2007
No matter what we suffer on earth, we are told to wait patiently for the Lord and persevere as the Old Testament patriarchs: Job. We are to resist resentment and retaliations against those oppressors. The Lord is waiting until the crop is ready. Until all the earth has heard about Him and has had a chance to make a choice to repent or resist.
This is a hard concept for me to actually truly identify with. (Being patient in suffering/oppression.) In Canada we don't suffer in that way very much in comparison to other countries or in Biblical times. Our oppression is quiet, political, and can easily be unnoticed by ourselves! We are given chance after chance to stand up for Biblical truths daily! Sometimes we do, and sometimes we are quiet. I think of issues our country is pushing to support that go directly against God's plan:
This is a hard concept for me to actually truly identify with. (Being patient in suffering/oppression.) In Canada we don't suffer in that way very much in comparison to other countries or in Biblical times. Our oppression is quiet, political, and can easily be unnoticed by ourselves! We are given chance after chance to stand up for Biblical truths daily! Sometimes we do, and sometimes we are quiet. I think of issues our country is pushing to support that go directly against God's plan:
- Same-sex marriage
- Pro-Choice rights
- Living common law
- Legalizing current illicit drugs
- Worshipping nature
- Not taking responsibility for one's own life
- Abolishing absolute truths and right and wrong
- Under-valuing the elderly
- Not preserving the sanctity of life no matter what
How many times during the day are we faced with people actually making jokes or comedic scenarios out of these issues, or actually supporting them and living by them?
There are many issues we face in our society that do oppress us and either give us the chance to stand up for Biblical truth, or we don't and no one knows what we believe the Bible says about it, or they wouldn't know from our actions because we haven't applied the truth to own lives. Yeah, we may not be experiencing torture and death because we own a Bible or sing worship songs, but every day we either silently deny God's truth by accepting society's lies and standards, or we stand out and proclaim God's truth by applying it to our own lives, adopting a Biblical worldview and standing against these ridiculous and sinful ideas our society pushes on us.
Lord, help us stand firm to your Word! Be the light in our lives that exposes the evil around us!
July 10, 2007
James 3:13-18 ~ July 10, 2007
James commands us to show wisdom by the way we live: good deeds, humbleness. Wisdom that comes from the world is envious and full of selfish ambition. I think those two words sum up the world completely. It is full of envy, bitter envy! The pursuit of money and "success" is fuelled by envy: wanting what others have, living in luxuries others are so-called "enjoying." And selfish ambition! The first thing that came to mind here was movie stars and celebrities in third world countries holding orphans and donating money. I can't help thinking that it is out of selfish ambition they do this. Would they still do it if they didn't receive an ounce of recognition for it? Why would they? People don't just do good things. We are evil, and without Jesus Christ in our lives giving us a purpose and a mission, all we do in and of ourselves is ultimately done out of selfish ambition no matter how it may temporarily benefit someone else or make us look good. "For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice." (vs 16)
So what does wisdom from God look like? "But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere." (vs 17) That's something I definitely want to be part of. The only way to obtain this wisdom is to know Jesus Christ and ask him for it. (James 1:17) "Every good and perfect gift is from above. Coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights."
So what does wisdom from God look like? "But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere." (vs 17) That's something I definitely want to be part of. The only way to obtain this wisdom is to know Jesus Christ and ask him for it. (James 1:17) "Every good and perfect gift is from above. Coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights."
July 4, 2007
James 1:19-27 ~ July 4, 2007
Vs 19) Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry. When I am talking about something and not really listening to the other person, it is far to easy to become angry because I'm not really being listened to either. If I don't respect them when they are talking, why would they listen to me when i start giving my side? Man's anger does not bring about the righteous life God desires; therefore, we're not pleasing God when we are angry in this way.
Vs 21) Now that I have been freed from my old sinful nature, I mustn't follow in its old pattern. By saturating my mind with God's word and what he says for me to do, I will live a life that pleases Him!
Vs 22) So, "Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves, do what it says." God's word is of no value to me if I don't obey it and apply it to my life. Vs 25, "But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it -- he will be blessed in what he does." God's word is the perfect law that gives freedom. Imagine that, a book of "rules" or "guidelines" that gives freedom to those who obey it! This freedom is, of course, freedom from sinning. Knowing how to make the right decision, how to react in circumstances, and how to love and avoid bitterness. Freedom from being a salve to sin. We now have the knowledge to know what to do instead of sin - now we must be obedient.
Vs 21) Now that I have been freed from my old sinful nature, I mustn't follow in its old pattern. By saturating my mind with God's word and what he says for me to do, I will live a life that pleases Him!
Vs 22) So, "Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves, do what it says." God's word is of no value to me if I don't obey it and apply it to my life. Vs 25, "But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it -- he will be blessed in what he does." God's word is the perfect law that gives freedom. Imagine that, a book of "rules" or "guidelines" that gives freedom to those who obey it! This freedom is, of course, freedom from sinning. Knowing how to make the right decision, how to react in circumstances, and how to love and avoid bitterness. Freedom from being a salve to sin. We now have the knowledge to know what to do instead of sin - now we must be obedient.
July 3, 2007
James 1:12-18 ~ July 3
Again, we are to welcome trials and know that by God's strength we can go through them. This verse causes me to think especially of today's persecuted Christians and martyrs. When they have stood the test God will give them a crown of life that he promised to those who love him. Truly those who stand by their faith when faced with torture, ridicule, or death have learned to lean on God's power. Today in my life, there are tests of another proportion. Most of it is peer pressure and influences from people who claim to be Christian and then don't really have any fruit in their life or appear to be living any differently from the world. That hurts me so much and aggravates me the most!
God obviously allows us to experience trials in our lives, but he does not tempt us to do evil. James says in verse 13-14 that is it is our own sinful nature. God cannot tempt and is not tempted. I am tempted by my own evil desires. So now, my desire is to, of course, cling to God and withstand those temptations. My own sinful nature is showing its ugly face when I am tempted to do evil things or anything disobedient to God. Once that desire is there, James says it gives birth to sin. How many times do I succumb to temptation? Often. Therefore, the verse about fleeing from temptation or any hint of evil comes to mind.
Don't be deceived--the people who refuse to abandon their sinful lifestyle will not enter the kingdom of heaven. (1 Cor. 6:9) Salvation is a free gift - but that forgiveness we receive gives us a new life - we are a new creation, and must desire to obey God and live a life that pleases and glorifies him. The "christian" who continues their lifestyle of homosexuality is not pleasing God. God will forgive, but until that person is convicted and repents, the Spirit of God cannot enter them.
Every good gift is from God. He loves us and wants us to have good and perfect gifts. He is steady and unchanging, not like shifting shadows. God chose to give us birth, to redeem us, that we may be a kind of firstfruit of all he created. We are part of the kingdom of God, a small picture of all that is to come when the world is judged and new heaven and earth are created.
God obviously allows us to experience trials in our lives, but he does not tempt us to do evil. James says in verse 13-14 that is it is our own sinful nature. God cannot tempt and is not tempted. I am tempted by my own evil desires. So now, my desire is to, of course, cling to God and withstand those temptations. My own sinful nature is showing its ugly face when I am tempted to do evil things or anything disobedient to God. Once that desire is there, James says it gives birth to sin. How many times do I succumb to temptation? Often. Therefore, the verse about fleeing from temptation or any hint of evil comes to mind.
Don't be deceived--the people who refuse to abandon their sinful lifestyle will not enter the kingdom of heaven. (1 Cor. 6:9) Salvation is a free gift - but that forgiveness we receive gives us a new life - we are a new creation, and must desire to obey God and live a life that pleases and glorifies him. The "christian" who continues their lifestyle of homosexuality is not pleasing God. God will forgive, but until that person is convicted and repents, the Spirit of God cannot enter them.
Every good gift is from God. He loves us and wants us to have good and perfect gifts. He is steady and unchanging, not like shifting shadows. God chose to give us birth, to redeem us, that we may be a kind of firstfruit of all he created. We are part of the kingdom of God, a small picture of all that is to come when the world is judged and new heaven and earth are created.
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