I was reading in Genesis chapter one, and was reminded of a singular truth that often times escapes me. That is the fact that if I will simply let God be who He wants to be in my life that He can create in me the very thing He intended me to be. I was struck by the simple truth that God spoke all things into existence, Genesis 1:3, "Let there be light, and there was light." Genesis 1:6, "Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and there was." Genesis 1:9, "Let there be dry land, and there was." Genesis 1:11, "Let there be grass, and there was." You get the idea, God wanted things to exist not only for His glory, but also for our needs. In Genesis 1:26, "Let Us make man in our image, and He did." After all the creating was done, God looked at what He had done and declared, "...indeed it was very good." I am encouraged when I realize that God, through His salvation has made me into a new creation, and that this too is very good. My only responsibility is to yield to His will and allow the Holy Spirit in conjunction with the Word of God to transform me, make me if you will, into what He has designed me for.
As Paul wrote to the Romans, it was his desire to encourage them with the fact that God is for us. This was in the context of him explaining his own time of trials and suffering. In Romans 8:18, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” Notice that he didn't say, "...revealed to us" but "in us." This is a reminder that even in the midst of our trials and difficulties God is there to work in us a greater glory that brings glory to Him. This is further revealed through God's everlasting love for us. “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?” (Romans 8:31–32 NKJV) “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,” (Ephesians 1:3 NKJV). I think we all have encountered a great many blessings from a worldly perspective, a job, a family, someone to love, someone who loves us, children, grand children, good health, financial stability, and the list goes one! But according to the Apostle Paul, God has blessed us in another way, spiritual blessings in the heavenly places in Christ. There is no earthly or temporal blessing that could measure up to those spiritual blessings from God. It begins with the new birth (salvation, John 3:16) and it continues with sanctification (being set apart, 1Thess. 4:3) and ultimately results in our glorification (transformed from this earthly body to a spiritual one in heaven, Colossians 3:4). What Christ secured for us on the Cross and through the atoning work of His blood, was not just a place in Heaven, but more importantly, in the here and now and changed and transformed life. This is where the real immediate blessings come into play, free from the curse and penalty of sin, from from the strongholds of any type of addiction, free from the curse of the Law being under the new covenant of grace. All of this is what we should refer to as "Spiritual Blessings in the heavenly places in Christ." In Acts 27, Paul is on his way to Rome. They encounter a tremendous storm on the way, Paul describes it as "contrary"." What an appropriate description of the storms we encounter in our own lives. They are just that, contrary to what we would expect or even have envisioned for our life. As the story progresses we see that they went from a place that was contrary to a situation that was dangerous. Paul gives the warning in verse 10 "...Men I perceive that this voyage will end with diaster." Often times we receive the warning that we are headed into more dangerous waters, and yet we fail to heed the warning of the Lord. The result of this storm for Paul and others that for many days, "...neither sun nor stars appeared for many days." Here in lies the problem, as a Mariner in life we need the Son to guide us and direct us into the light of His glorious plan for our life. We need the stars (other believers, the word, the Spirit) as markers by which we can navigate through the storms that will come. Paul has the solution for his fellow Mariners; “And now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. Acts 27:23 For there stood by me this night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve, Acts 27:24 saying, “Do not be afraid, Paul; you must be brought before Caesar; and indeed God has granted you all those who sail with you.’ Acts 27:25 Therefore take heart, men, for I believe God that it will be just as it was told me.” (Acts 27:22–25 NKJV). David declared that, "God knew us before we were in our mother's womb..." Once we come out of the womb we find our selves in a fallen world that has been brought under the sin of Adam. We come to that point in our lives when we begin to ask about life and our very existence. The questions that arise in life are not unique to any one individual, man has wondered about his existence from the very beginning of time. Often we are left with the explanations of the scientist, and so called experts on the existence of mankind. We exist, according to God's word to offer praise, glory and honor to the Lord God Almighty. God created us so that we might know Him, love Him, and serve Him with all our heart, soul and mind. As I was in the hospital most of last week after having a heart attack, I once again was pondering those very questions! What is life all about, how long has the Lord given me to serve Him, be with my wife, kids and grandkids, what does the future hold? But, most importantly have I been effective in serving, loving, yielding and worshipping Jesus? The Lord led me to a passage in Ecclesiastes “For I considered all this in my heart, so that I could declare it all: that the righteous and the wise and their works are in the hand of God. People know neither love nor hatred by anything they see before them.” (Ecclesiastes 9:1 NKJV) As my heart (the one that pumps blood) was failing because of a 95% blockage in the right artery, I am reminded by Solomon, that as I consider these matters of life we all face, that my works are in the hand of God. God is faithful to care for us according to His divine plan and purpose for our life. The important thing for me is that my heart (the seat of my spiritual existence) is firmly in His care and grasp. “Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, 1Peter 5:7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:6–7 NKJV) p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica} For months we had been hearing about the importance of the election that transpired on Tuesday, November 2. Many of us went to the Ballot Box to cast our vote for the individuals, propositions and local government officials that we felt best reflected our personal convictions. As important a privilege we have to be able to vote our values and convictions, I just wonder if we cast a spiritual and affirmative vote to allow Jesus Christ to have the ultimate deciding vote in how we will live our lives. The Apostle Paul sums it up for me when he said, "For to me, to live is Christ, and to do is gain." (Philippians 1:21) I am confident that the Lord Jesus has the future firmly in hand, and that He knows every activity that will take place, both spiritually and politically. I guess the real question is just how important was this election to the Lord. Is there something that I should be more concerned with, that should be at the fore front of my attention and life agenda? Once again the Apostle Paul gives us some real food for thought. "Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself." (Philippians 2:3) Yes, that's what I am talking about! Not just looking to my own personal agenda or betterment, but have a loving and genuine concern for others. “Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Philippians 3:13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, Philippians 3:14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:12–14 NKJV) These verses are characterized by action terms. Paul is using very descriptive language to describe his Christian race. Note these five great statements made by the Apostle.) 1. V. 12b I Press On - Literally - "To run swiftly in order to catch a person, or a thing." It has reference to a hunter pursuing his prey. It also has the idea of a runner chasing the finish line. Whatever the goal, the picture is of pursuit. For Paul it was the hope of "apprehending" something. That word means "to lay hold on" What Paul is saying is, "I am pursuing the goal of laying hold on all that Jesus laid hold on me for." He realized that he had been saved for a purpose and that God had a plan for his life. Paul would not be satisfied until he had apprehended that for which he had been apprehended! (Ill. Complacency is a blight that saps energy, dulls attitudes, and causes a drain on the brain. The first symptom is satisfaction with things as they are. The second is rejection of things as they might be. "Good enough" becomes today's watchword and tomorrow's standard. Complacency makes people fear the unknown, mistrust the untried, and abhor the new. Like water, complacent people follow the easiest course -- downhill. They draw false strength from looking back. !) V. 13a This One Thing I do - Paul was a specialist! Just like an Olympic athlete, Paul specialized in one thing: reaching the goal. Notice that he left the past behind him and he reached for the future. A man excels when he specializes. If you want to know the secret of Paul's success, it is that Paul had a one track mind! Nothing was as important to him as was pleasing the Lord! (Ill. The 1992 Summer Olympics featured two tremendously poignant moments. American sprinter Gail Devers, the clear leader in the 100 meter hurdles, tripped over the last barrier. She agonizingly pulled herself to her knees and crawled the last five meters, finishing fifth--but finishing. Even more heart-rending was the 400 meter semifinal in which British runner Derek Redmond tore a hamstring and fell to the track. He struggled to his feet and began to hobble, determined to complete the race. His father ran from the stands to help him off the track, but the athlete refused to quit. He leaned on his father, and the two limped to the finish line together, to deafening applause!) 3. V. 13b Forgetting Those Things Which Are Behind - Paul said, "I refuse to look behind me at my past." The word forgetting means, "To cease to be affected by." If you run with your eye on past successes, then you will have the tendency to lay back and rest on your accomplishments. If you run with your eye on your past failures, then you will tend to stay back for fear of failing again! (Ill. There is another thought that needs to be mentioned here. As you are running for the Lord stop looking at how others are doing in the race! There will always be those are able to outrun you and there will be others who will lag behind, or even drop out of the race. Don't worry about what others are doing, you duty is to run to please the Lord Jesus Christ! When we run, He should be the sole focus of our attention, Heb. 12:1-2.) “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, Hebrews 12:2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:1–2 NKJV) 4. V. 13c Reaching Forward - This phrase pictures the runner in a race as he nears the finish line. He can be seen to lean forward and strain for the goal. Paul tells us that he is "reaching out with all he has" to be sure that he wins his race! (Ill. The Greeks had a race in their Olympic games that was unique. The winner was not the runner who finished first. It was the runner who finished with his torch still lit. I want to run all the way with the flame of my torch still lit for Him.!) 5. V. 14a I Press Toward The Goal - The word goal refers to the "goal that one has in view." In other words, Paul was oblivious to his surroundings, he was just heading for the goal. He wanted to finish well. Notice that when he did reach the end of his life, he was able to leave behind the testimony that he had indeed run well. "For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:" 2 Tim 4:6-7.) (Ill. In The Last Days Newsletter, Leonard Ravenhill tells about a group of tourists visiting a picturesque village who walked by an old man sitting beside a fence. In a rather patronizing way, one tourist asked, "Were any great men born in this village?" The old man replied, "Nope, only babies." A frothy question brought a profound answer. There are no instant heroes--whether in this world or in the kingdom of God. Spiritual growth takes time, and spiritual leadership must be earned!) In Psalm 105:1-6, David speaks of the eternal faithfulness of God by using a number of words that really show the faithfulness of God as well as speak of His faithfulness.
David ends this first part of Psalm 105 by reminding us that we are afforded the opportunity to do two things as the result of God'e faithfulness. First we have the blessing and privilege of serving Him. Second we are His chosen ones, our heavenly Father has chosen us to bring glory to Him. This past weekend our Men's Ministry attended the Bay Area Men's Conference. The theme verse was Psalm 86:11 "Teach me Your way, O Lord: I will walk in Your truth; Unite my heart to fear Your name. As I listened to the various studies I was reminded of just how much the Lord loves us, but more importantly, like David we should desire the Lord's instruction in our daily lives. Just as we nurture, teach and instruct our children to do that which is right, our Father wants to instruct us. In Psalm 119:11, David made a very profound statement before the Lord, " I have hidden Your word i my heart that I might not sin against You." That implanting of God's word was the result of David allowing God to instruct him in accordance to His will for David's life. I am reminded that it isn't just enough to be instructed, I must be willing to act upon and implement those things that God reveals to me. It's the idea of "walking the walk, not just talking the talk." My wife often times reminds me that talk is cheap, but acting on that talk is to be cherished. As the result of the teaching from God, the walking out of His truth in our life, we will have our hearts united with His. We should remember the words of Christ in relation to the heart. “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; Matthew 6:20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. Matthew 6:21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:19–21 NKJV) |  Some thoughts, reflections and encouragement from God's Word! ArchivesFebruary 2012 CategoriesAll |
RSS Feed