John 3-4 = today's thoughts

John 3-4 = today's thoughts

 

I noticed something around one of the most famous verses of the bible today that I hadn’t really ever noticed before.  It is one of the things that makes re-reading scripture so enjoyable.  In John 3:18 it says that “Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already,…”  Isn’t it interesting that believing in Christ opens the door to Heaven, but not believing in Christ doesn’t really change anything.  What I mean by that is without Christ we are all without hope anyhow, so since we are already with out hope deciding to reject that hope doesn’t change anything.  However, Believing in Christ changes everything.  It sounds so simple, believing is all that is required.  Yet while it seems so simple to those of us that believe, Millions and millions, tens and hundreds of millions who hear, resist and are lost. They are however, already lost and their disbelief doesn’t change their direction.  It is why we must be ever more vigilant in communicating the truth in relevant ways. The only hope people have is that they believe. 

 

Have a great day.

Rob

 

John 1-2 = Today's thoughts

John 1-2 = Today's thoughts

 

Chapter 1 what an awesome introduction of who Jesus is, His authority and his History fully established in so few words.  We have all heard someone get up and introduce a speaker or a guest.  You hear the person tell of the speakers credentials, some points that lend credibility to what they are about to speak on and usually some antidotal comments about their life.  You read the first 5 verses of John and if there is any question of Christ’s authority before reading it, it should be eliminate.  He has been since the beginning, he is the word, he is the provider of life, He is light that no darkness can overcome, and He is the Creator.  Wow, a better intro couldn’t be given.  If you aren’t willing to listen to someone with these credentials, then you simply aren’t willing to listen.

 

John tells of how John the Baptist was pointing people to Christ, His effectiveness is evidenced by the fact that as people like Andrew, Phillip Nathanael encounter Christ, he simply needs to say come, or follow me and these men, aware of his authority leave their lives in pursuit of the Messiah.  Jesus wasn’t hypnotizing these men so that they would follow him, his authority had been established through prophecy and men like John point to him as the Messiah.  It was most assuredly by faith that these men went with Christ, but not Blind faith, Christ was being in part revealed to these men by connection to John the Baptist who’s role it was to point people to the coming Messiah.  These weren’t random encounters. No more than this universe is a random encounter.  These men were chosen to the work they would do by God and prepared for this moment by the man that had been sent to prepare the path. 

 

Faith is believing in an unseen God, no an unknown God.  We have many ways to know him, and we should work toward knowing him better daily.

 

Have a great day.

Rob

 

 

Ephesians 5-6 = Today's Thoughts

Ephesians 5-6 = Today's Thoughts

 

These two chapters have so much to say.  Some I really like and some I really struggle with.  5:15 “look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil”  I think of all the time I waste, doing almost nothing, vegging in front of  the tv, doing mindless repetitive work that is required in daily duties and yet often seams to go nowhere, and I am convicted that I have to do better.  The time we are given is a gift and yet we leave so much of that gift unopened and unused for anything productive.  The frustrating thing is that I almost always feel most fulfilled in life when I am about the fathers business and yet I often struggle to simply get up and do it. 

 

While I also like the section on wives submitting to their husbands, (ha-haa) I am then equally reminded how far I fall short in loving my own wife as I am instructed too.  It is yet another way where I know the right answer and responses and yet struggle to make them my top priority.  And when I fail at this it isn’t just my own failure that I am causing I am taking away from her what God has set in place for her to receive. 

 

If however Ephesians 6:10-20 was truly my daily ambition all this would fall into place, if I daily put on my armor, I would be prepared, waste less and be a better example of what God has created me to be.  Now the question is what will I do to make this happen?  That is where knowledge becomes action, and yep it will likely be uncomfortable at first.

 

Have a great day.

Rob

 

Ephesians 2-4 = Today's thoughts

Ephesians 2-4 = Today’s thoughts

 

Chapter four closes with an instruction that would transform the way work and live together if only it were the first action we chose.  Verse 32 says: “And be kind to one another, tender hearted, forgiving one another, tender hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.”  Where are you on this direction?  Are you the type of person that starts here, ends here or never shows up here at all?  I know a few people who seem to exist in this place and I have to admit, I think they are happier, people more fulfilled, and in possession of deep and significant friendships and influence.  While those who I know who rarely show up here, seem to struggle with superficial relationships, little influence, pessimistic view of life and in general not that happy a person.”  Now sure I am generalizing here some but being a person that floats the middle leaning toward kindness, it is when I lean that way that I find greater satisfaction with my life, my ability to influence and my connection to Christ.  My struggle is almost always, am I getting walked on, am I being taken advantage of, is there any reciprocation of my kindness and my forgiveness.  But as I look through these chapters that isn’t what I am being asked to be concerned with.  I am being asked to be faithful, humble, gentle patient.  I am the recipient of Ultimate Grace. Am I going to extend it to others as well?  I am reminded that I have an old self and a new self, and the two do not co-exist.  If I truly heard and want to faithful the old self must disappear, and the new self must be my new form.  A form that is described in Eph 4:24 as: “and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in the righteousness and holiness of the truth.”

 

Put on the new self and have a great day.

Rob

 

Ephesians 1 = today's thoughts

Ephesians 1 = today's thoughts

 

Well today begins a 21 month journey that I hope you will join me on.  I am taking a 21 month Discipleship training course.  During this study we work our way through the scriptures as well as some other readings.  So at least for a time till I can determine what time I have available each day, I am going to break from the chronological read through the Bible and make sure I am meeting my commitment to this course.  So for the next couple of days we will look at Ephesians, Job and I believe Timothy.  On weeks where I complete the reading early we will jump back to the Chronological study.  

 

So today is just Ephesians 1 – and there is so much in just this one chapter.  Paul cannot be accused of writing fluff, each chapter has so much to give and so we will just give it a good glance. 

          Verses: 3-15

          3:  we are blessed by God with Spiritual blessings in Christ

          4:  God chooses us before the foundation of the world is even set

          5:  We are adopted through Christ as sons and daughters of God

          6:  Grace is extended to us because he loves us

          7:  We are redeemed by Christ’s blood

          8:  We have his wisdom poured out on us

          9 & 10:  God makes his will known to us

          11:  We have received an inheritance

          12:  We have hope in Christ

          13:  Believers are sealed with Him

          14:  We have the pledge of being given the Holy Spirit

 

What a promise this is, what an encouragement for believers.  We have been on Gods mind since he formed this world and he formed this world that we might be able to choose to have an eternal relationship with him.  That should put our time here in some stark perspective.  We truly are but a blink of an eye in scope of God’s existence and yet look at all the lengths he has gone through to make sure we know we are truly significant to Him. 

 

Be encouraged today that you are not ever alone and you have been part of Gods plan and his blessing for a very long time.

 

Have a great day

Rob

 

Joshua 11-12 = today's thoughts

Joshua 11-12 = today's thoughts

 

One of the things that have always been difficult to understand was the sheer brutality with which the people of Israel conquered the Promised Land.  We know that the people who were living there had no chance; their leader’s hearts were hardened by God to want to wage war against Israel and in the end had no chance to defeat her.  While I don’t claim to understand God’s actions at times, I have to remind myself this was a different covenant.  Anything less than this would have been a contradiction of what God had promised, He specifically promised them this land.  It was a promise that had been made long ago and now it was coming to fruition.  In keeping this promise, he was also protecting his chosen people.  He knew how fickle their hearts were and how easy they turned away.  If those other people groups had been left in that region the Israelites would likely have turned from God faster and fallen into worshiping their Gods.  We already know of God’s jealous nature.  His promise was to protect and provide for his people, he knew that he could only do that if they are in right relationship with him, so he eliminated their distractions, their pitfalls.  He provided great resources to them through conquering their foes, he very quickly and firmly established them as a great nation. Once again, while in no way knowing the full mind of God, it sure looks this way to me.  While barbaric on one hand, quite loving on the other.  It also goes to demonstrate that God goes to every extreme to fulfill his promises to his people. These are tough verses to read if you only see God as a loving Grandfather sitting in heaven on a pure white throne.  While that aspect of God exists, it is not a full picture of God.  Another reason why scripture can’t be cherry picked and understood.  The whole of scripture is to help us have a full understanding and relationship with God.  While we won’t get it all we can’t even begin to truly know God if we don’t learn about who he is over all of time.

 

Have a great day.

Rob

Joshua 7-10 = today's thoughts

Joshua 7-10 = today's thoughts

 

The sins of one affect the many.  It is an uncomfortable thought that our personal sins could have severe consequences on those we surround ourselves with, but that is exactly what happened to the entire nation of Israel.  Achan, broke covenant with Israel and with God,  he acted for himself in stark contrast to the orders he had been given by his leader and by his God.  As a result dozens of men lost their lives because that sin separated the people of Israel from their God and his watchful hand was not on them as they went into battle.  But look what happens when that that relationship is restored.  Achan received God’s justice for his transgression.  And when God’s justice had been metered out, the people of Israel were unstoppable.  They conquered nation after nation, they expanded their land, and reaped tremendous wealth and reward.  They were established in the Promise land as the nation to fear and respect.  This was a direct result of their faithfulness. 

 

Let this be our example, unrepentant sin leads straight to destruction.  Don’t let other things of this world rob you of your relationship with the King.  His justice will be metered out on those who are unrepentant, he is a constant God and the story shows this to be true.  Seek after him, be obedient to him, and relish the blessing he pours out on his faithful.  While we are all going to sin, and we are all going to fall short, make sure that you aren’t dwelling there.  Turn from that sin, replace it with something that brings honor to you life and to your God. 

 

Joshua 3-6 = Today's Thoughts

Joshua 3-6 = Today's Thoughts

 

God’s plan for our lives is often developing long before we are ever aware of it. Joshua, who had mentored under Moses, like I am sure many others had done, was now being tasked to lead.   But how do you follow someone like Moses, how will a people who have seen the Power displayed by God through his servant Moses now be willing to follow the understudy.  It wasn’t likely going to be a smooth transition. After all we have seen the fickle nature of the people of Israel and their followership doesn’t have the cleanest record.  Once again, God’s plan prevails.  God knew that Joshua needed the credibility, the divine thumbs up if you will and so he in essence endorsed Joshua’s leadership in a way that he had already demonstrated His support of his predecessor Moses.  As Joshua led the people out to the Promised Land Joshua gave the command and the waters of the Jordan River rolled up and allowed the people to cross on DRY land.  An endorsement that was indisputably clear and confirming.  I wonder however if there was that group of people that weren’t sure of Joshua and his leading.  I wonder if as they were walking across the Jordan talking about this miracle if anyone of them said,  oh sure this is impressive, but it’s no red sea…  you have to wonder, there always seems to be that guy in the crowd somewhere.

 

It is clear beyond doubt to the people that God was still with them, Moses was gone, but God is still near, he has passed the mantle to Joshua and now like it says in Chapter 4:14 “That day the Lord exalted Joshua in the sight of all Israel: and they revered him all the days of his life, just as thy had revered Moses.”  Joshua’s new leadership was fully established, his years of preparation now transitioned to leadership, not by his own might, but by the might of the Living God.  Joshua was given the title before he was given the reverence, he was given the reverence when he acted on God’s instruction and acted faithfully.  Preparation and title are of little value if it isn’t coupled with action.  And action without authority is of little value, but when it is coupled together in Gods, plan in timing, it can literally move a nation and stop a river.  While much is outside the scope of our doing, nothing is outside Gods.  What amazing thing is God preparing you for and when the time comes will you step and act?

 

 

Psalm 90, Deuteronomy 31-34 = Today's Thoughts

Psalm 90, Deuteronomy 31-34 = Today's Thoughts

 

In Moses final preparation of the people for their crossing into the Promised Land as well as Moses personal final prep to pass the mantle to Joshua, Moses blesses the people of Israel. Additionally Moses gives them a song and a psalm to remind them of their relationship with God and what God had brought them through.  These works are to not only to help preserve the story they are likely given as a way to constantly remind the people that they serve a jealous God.  A God that wants their full devotion and will settle for nothing less.  Moses then 120 years old and still full of life and energy climbs to the top of Mt. Nebo and God shows him all of the promise land.  As we look back over Moses life.  From the time he is about 40 to the climb on Mount Nebo, Moses faithfulness to God is without question. Deuteronomy's last paragraph closes with "since then, no prophet has risen in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face,...."  and even with that being said God still did not let Moses enter the Promised Land.  This is further proof and evidence that God follows through on the justice he delivers.  While Moses was able to change God's mind and spare the people of Israel for their disobedience, God's punishment for Moses and Aaron's departure from Gods plan with the water and the rock was unwavering.  Sure Moses was obedient, and possibly the closest person to God of anyone in history except Christ, and yet for his own benefit hew wasn't able to change God's mind.  Closeness doesn't merit favor, faithfulness does.  Moses was close to God all his life, an actual friend of God, but it wasn't the friendship that brought blessing to Moses it was his faithfulness that did, and while almost all of his life was marked by his faithfulness it wasn't perfect and that imperfection had consequence.

 

Having said that, strive for a close relationship with God, but more so strive for a faithful relationship to what God has called us to do.  They are different and they mean two very different things.

 

Have  a great day.

Rob