Study of Romans 12 – Verse 3

“For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.” (Romans 12:3 NKJV)

Be Merciful Just as God Has Been Merciful to You

    At the beginning of this chapter, Paul wanted the brethren in Rome to remember God’s mercy – His mercy shown to both the Jews and the Gentiles in giving them the gospel, the “good news” of Jesus the Christ and the hope found only through Him (Romans 1:16, 2:1-16, and 11:28-32).  

    When we meditate on God’s mercy, realizing all He has done for us because He loves us; how He gave us His Son, who died to set us free from sin, how He determined beforehand that all families of the earth would be blessed by Jesus (Genesis 12:3) – how all would have access to the gospel and to “all things that pertain to life and godliness” (2 Peter 1:3); when we meditate on that, then we will willingly become living sacrifices, letting God’s word renew our minds and we will be transformed into people who are holy and acceptable to God, and we will prove His will to be good and acceptable and perfect!  

“…not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly…”

    More highly means arrogantly, haughtily, to esteem oneself overmuch; more than is proper, to be vain.

    Think soberly means to be modest (in thought and feeling), to not let one’s opinion of himself (though just) to exceed the bounds of modesty (as shown within the Bible, consider 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12, 1 Timothy 2:9-10, 1 Peter 2:3-6). It means to have sound judgment, balanced, and disciplined, with thoughts and actions governed by wisdom and prudence.

    In meditating on God’s mercy, we will be better able to maintain a proper humility/humbleness – understanding who God is and who we are before Him - and we should also develop a greater capacity for showing mercy to others (Luke 6:35-36).

 “…God has dealt to each one a measure of faith”

    Think of Jesus’ parable of the talents in Matthew 25:14-30. One man was given five talents, another was given two, and the other only one. Each man had a responsibility to use what they had been given; each one was expected to end up with more than they started with. When we apply this to the matter of our faith, God gives some a large quantity of faith – they readily believe and willingly obey and continue to grow and develop as they learn through study and application. To others, He has given a different measure: they may hear of God, but they need to understand Him and His way (i.e. they need to see that His way is good and acceptable and perfect), then they will commit themselves to Him and His way, and continue to grow and develop in their walk. Then to others God has given a smaller measure: They hear about God, His power and might, and they believe but they are fearful of Him, and because of that fear (and their fear of doing differently than what they have always done) they don’t develop their faith beyond the point of simply believing that God exists. But we are each to develop whatever measure we were given – for some it will be easier, for others it will require effort – but, again, this is where being merciful and compassionate toward others, like God is toward us, comes into effect: those who are strong need to be helping those who are weak! Those full of faith should be examples in both word and deed to those who need God and His way to be proven, and to those who have focused on only one facet of God. Wherever we are in our faith, we need to keep going and keep growing so that we can help others to do the same!        

    Remember, not everyone has the same background, or the same upbringing. Not everyone has the same capacity to reason or understand. Not everyone has the same learning style (some are visual, some are aural/hearing, others learn through reading/writing, or through doing/hands-on). We each have our own strengths and weaknesses (both physically and spiritually), not everyone has been given the same measure of faith, so we need to be careful not to look down on a brother of sister who is weak where we are strong; instead we must help them (see Romans 15:1-2, Galatians 6:1-3). It may be that our weaker brother or sister is strong in areas that we need help, and they in turn can help us (read and think on Ephesians 4:15-16). If we are proud and unmerciful, looking down on others and/or criticizing their weakness, we are creating an obstacle that will prevent the body from functioning as it should.

    Think daily on the mercy God has shown to you. Appreciate your strengths in that they allow you to be a benefit to others, but remain aware of your own weaknesses and always lean on God for His help (2 Corinthians 12:7-10, Hebrews 4:16). Take time to read and consider Luke 18:9-14. Determine that from wherever you are right now that you will begin to grow and develop your faith, that you will seek God and submit to Him, wholly trusting that His way is the best way!

You can do it! So can I!!   

 

"God of... Heaven"

    The second most used term referring to God is found 17 times in the Old Testament and only twice in the New. It’s probably the first fact we learn about God in childhood: “God lives up in heaven;” we sang songs about being careful with what we do and say because “the Father up above is looking down in love,” and that simple fact is as complicated as this term for God gets.

God (Strong’s #H430) – elohim – means divine being

heaven (Strong’s #H8064, Hebrew/O.T.) – shamayin – means the abode of God

  (Strong’s #G3772, Greek/N.T.) – ouranos – means the highest heaven, the dwelling place of God

    You may be thinking, ‘I already knew all this, what more is there to say on the subject?’ Well, I have found through my own personal studies that anytime a term/phrase is mentioned more than once in the Bible each usage is enveloped in a little bit more information so that when we look at each one we learn a bit more and end up with a rather complete picture when we are done!

Side study: Try this for yourself in studying, for example, the phrase “the fear of the LORD” (throughout the Bible) or in studying the passages that mention Joseph of Arimathea (in the New Testament gospels).

    What can we learn from the 18 references to the “God of heaven” in the Bible? Here’s what I have summarized:

We should…

          …seek Him (Daniel 2:17-18, also consider Acts 17:26-27)

…pray to Him (Ezra 6:10, Nehemiah 1:4-5; 2:4, Daniel 2:17-18, also consider 1 Thessalonians 5:17)

…obey His commands (Ezra 1:2, 7:23, also consider 1 John 2:3-6)

…offer sacrifices to Him (Ezra 6:9-10, also consider Romans 12:1-2)

…trust Him (Nehemiah 2:20, Daniel 2:44, also consider Proverbs 3:5-6, 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24)

…give Him the glory and praise Him (Nehemiah 1:5, Daniel 2:37, Revelation 11:13, also consider Psalm 103:1-5)

…thank Him and bless Him (Psalm 136:26, Daniel 2:17-23, also consider 1 Thessalonians 5:18, Ephesians 1:3)

…confess our faith in Him (Jonah 1:9, also consider Matthew 10:32)

…do good for those who fear Him (Ezra 7:21, also consider Galatians 6:9-10)

…not be like those who blaspheme Him because of their pains and troubles and refuse to repent of their evil deeds (Revelation 16:11, also consider what we should do: trust in His help Psalm 34, be faithful to Him, Romans 12:12, and repent of our wrongdoings, 1 John 1:9, 2 Peter 3:9)

 

    From its first mention in Genesis 24:6 to its last in the book of Revelation, our study of the “God of heaven” is a good reminder to us that He is not simply ‘a being up in the sky’ – He is the very God of heaven! The One to whom we can run to at any time (Hebrews 4:16) and who we can always count on! Let’s follow the Bible examples we have taken note of in this study and seek the God of heaven, pray to Him, obey Him, offer ourselves to Him in daily service, trust Him, praise and magnify Him, give Him all the glory with hearts full of thankfulness for all He has done for us! Let us confess our faith in Him, in word and conduct, be a benefit to those who fear Him, seek His solace when we are suffering, and His forgiveness when we sin!    

You can do it! So can I!!   

Nature: The Tenacious Mustard Seed

    "...I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, 

you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' 

and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you." 

(Matthew 17:20 NKJV)

    As we continue our theme of Nature, I would like you to consider the tiny mustard seed. The photo at the bottom of this post shows mustard seeds. They are, individually, about the size of the head of a dressmaker's pin.

    Throughout the Bible we can read of God using lowly items (in man's estimation) to do or exemplify great things.

    For example:

• A spoken word - the earth and heavens were created (Genesis 1-2)
• A leader's rod - awe-inspiring miracles in Egypt (Exodus 4-14)
• A simple red rope - salvation from Jericho's destruction (Joshua 2:1-24; 6:22-23)
• An army of only 300 men - conquered over 135,000 men (Judges 7)
• A leather sling and a smooth stone - an enemy giant is felled (1 Samuel 17)
• Faith as a mustard seed - can move mountains (Matthew 17:20)

    A mustard seed is tiny, but it is known to have great tenacity. Tenacity means persistence, determination, perseverance. I have heard that a mustard seed can grow and develop in the harshest of conditions. They are hearty and their determination to sprout will in many ways "move mountains." They will crack the great rocks that they are growing up through. They will lift and crack concrete that has been set over them in their determined pursuit of development.

    You may feel small in comparison to the seemingly mountainous obstacles you face in your path, but God encourages you to keep trying, to keep trusting, to keep growing! He is near to you and wants you to lean on Him (James 4:7-8).

    Let your faith be like the determined mustard seed. Take root in the gospel of Christ and drink nourishment from the bottomless wells of God's love and provision. Seek the SON, lift your face toward Him!

    This makes me think of the lovely passage in Psalm 27; verse 8 says, "When You said, "Seek My face", my heart said to You, "Your face Lord, I will seek.""

    Continue to seek the Lord's face this week. Let your perseverance and determination to do God's will fuel your continuing development as a Christian. Flourish in your faith! Be a tenacious mustard seed!!

"As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, 

rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, 

as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving."

(Colossians 2:6-7 NKJV)

You can do it! So can I!!

Sing And Make Melody - It Is Well With My Soul

    This week in our 'Singing and Making Melody' series I've selected a hymn that declares a willingness to continue to trust in God no matter what happens in life: "It Is Well With My Soul" written by Horatio G. Spafford in 1873

    Horatio Spafford was a prominent American lawyer who, invested in significant properties in Chicago in the 1860s, and then lost a sizable amount of his investment in the Great Fire of Chicago of 1871.

    Two years later, wanting to take a family vacation in Europe, knowing his preacher friend, Dwight L. Moody, would be preaching in England in the Fall, planned the trip accordingly. Due to business demands Spafford sent his wife, Anna, and their four daughters, Anna "Annie" (11), Margaret Lee "Maggie" (9), Elizabeth "Bessie" (5), and Tanetta (2), ahead of him, planning on joining them a short time later.

    On November 22, 1873, while sailing across the Atlantic, an iron sailing vessel struck the ship Anna and her daughters were on. 226 people lost their lives, including all four of the Spafford children. Anna sent a telegram to Horatio stating, "Saved alone."

    It was while Horatio sailed across the Atlantic himself to be with Anna that he thought of these words; as he followed the same course and traveled over the waters where his daughters perished, this hymn was shaped and written.

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,

When sorrows like sea billows roll,

Whatever my lot, thou has taught me to say,

"It is well, it is well, with my soul."

Chorus:
It is well (it is well) with my soul (with my soul),
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blessed assurance control,
That Christ hath regarded my helpless estate
and hath shed His own blood for my soul. 
[Chorus]

My sin - O the bliss of this glorious tho't! -
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul! 
[Chorus]

And, Lord, haste the day when the faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound and the Lord shall descend -
Even so, it is well with my soul.
[Chorus]

(as written in the hymnal, "Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs", Copyright 2012, Sumphonia Productions LLC)

    Could you write a hymn to the Lord after such tragedy?

    Mr. Spafford never turned his back on the Lord. It seems that he leaned on him even more heavily for help and comfort. We can learn much from this!

    Consider these words found in Habakkuk 3:17-19:

"Though the fig tree may not blossom,

nor fruit be on the vines;

Though the labour of the olive may fail,

and the fields yield no food;

Though the flock may be cut off from the fold,

and there be no herd in the stalls -

Yet I will rejoice in the LORD,

I will joy in the God of my salvation.

The LORD God is my strength;

He will make my feet like deer's feet,

And He will make me walk on my high hills."

(NKJV)

    We have a Lord who can sympathize with our struggles and troubles (Hebrews 4:14-15). He tells us to "come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need" (Hebrews 4:16). This is a true statement - a real promise of help!

    Almost nine years ago, I lost my Mom very suddenly (of a heart attack), she was only 65 years old and had just had a clean bill of health from her cardiologist. But on a Sunday afternoon in late April, after worshiping with the brethren and going out to lunch with a few of them, my Dad & Mom returned home. My Mom went into the house, walked to the fridge to put the bottle of communion juice away, turned to put her slippers on and collapsed, never to open her eyes in this world again.

    Within a couple hours of this happening, we arrived home (we live four hours south of my parents), and were met by my Aunt & Uncle and cousin, who accepted the role of bearing the heartbreaking news to my family (and my siblings).

    I went with my husband and daughters to worship service that evening and was embraced by my spiritual family there (the church is a wonderful blessing from God!) and spent most of rest of the night praying to God.

    I asked Him to help our family, to help and be near my Dad who was 4 hours away, in the house by himself, in shock at the loss of his wife of 47 years. I praised God for the blessing of my Mom - I had her for 41 years - I am blessed! I thanked Him for her love and gentleness and her example in following Him in her walk as a Christian. He blessed me with moments of sleep and when I would wake I would again ask for help, praise Him, and thank Him.

    Through Him, Mom had hope. Through Him, I have hope. I will one day stand again, shoulder to shoulder with my Mom as we, together, join with all the others who have 'gone on', to sing God's praises!

    I, and my family, faced the next several days with a peace that was indescribable! That's what the peace of God is - see Philippians 4:6-7 - it surpasses understanding and it guarded our hearts and minds!!

    Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!! 

    God's promises are REAL!! He is faithful to keep them!! Never turn from Him! Always, and with all your being, turn to Him!! Lean on Him, receive help, comfort, peace, grace, and mercy from Him in your time of need!

    Think on Habakkuk 3:17-19 today. Thank God for His faithfulness! Thank Him for His care and provision in good times and bad! Sing the song selected for this week with understanding. Declare for yourself that, no matter what happens in this life, because you wholly trust in God "It Is Well With Your Soul."

You can do it! So can I!!

Comparison Corrodes Your Gratitude

    How did you do with creating a gratitude list over the past five days?  It’s difficult to start a new habit, isn’t it? But did you follow through? Did you find that when you set your mind to search for things to be thankful for that it didn’t stop, it kept giving you more and more reasons to praise God? Did you find your eyes opening to things in your life for which to be thankful? Did those “discoveries” fill you up? Did they bring you a sense of contentment or even a bubbling over?

    Gratitude is a virtue that keeps on benefitting us.  It helps us prioritize, determining what is really important. It causes our hearts to want to seek God to thank Him and praise Him as He deserves!

“Bless the LORD, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name! Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits…” (Psalm 103:1-2 NKJV)

    As we continue to work on developing the FEELING of gratitude, which leads us to SAYING how grateful we are to God for His daily load of benefits (Psalm 68:19), we need to be watchful of the things that come into our minds that prevent our gratitude from developing properly.

    One sneaky thing I have found that will keep you from both feeling and expressing gratitude is COMPARISON.

    Comparing yourself to others and finding THEM lacking, leads to a false and arrogant gratitude (think about the Pharisee’s “gratitude list” in Luke 18:11-12, ‘Thank you that I’m not like THEM!’)

    Comparing yourself to others and finding YOURSELF always lacking can lead to apathy. With dwindling self-esteem, comparison reinforces the lie that you are not yet enough, that maybe you never will be. You determine that you have been “destined” to simply “get by”. Oh, you will need to be happy for others and do what you can to assist others in finding success, but that success is not meant for you. This readily accepted lie imprisons your heart in darkness, far from the sunbeams of gratitude, soon your heart becomes blind to your unique God-given talents and abilities and your abundant daily blessings, which God wants you to use to His glory (consider both Matthew 25:14-30 and Proverbs 23:17-19).  

    Comparison drills away at your well of gratitude, eventually boring a gaping hole that, if not stopped, will drain you completely of any feelings of thankfulness. The scary part is that you may not even be aware of its damage until you really pay attention to your thoughts/words and realize that your continual complaining has corroded your contentment.

How can you stop comparing yourself to others?

Here are few things that I have helped me:

“Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.” (Colossians 3:2 NKJV) 

• Meditate on Ephesians 1:3-14 – think on ALL the spiritual blessings that we have in Christ
• Think on Matthew 6:19-34 – God provides ALL we need (also 2 Corinthians 9:8)
• Ponder long on 1 Timothy 6:6-19 – Godliness with contentment is great gain 

Don't envy the world - read and contemplate Psalm 37 

Recall ALL of God's promises to your mind - they are for you, to aid you! He will follow through on every one of them!! God IS faithful, TRUST HIM!! 

Remember that your unique talents and abilities are needed in the kingdom! You are set in the body and are a necessary part in it, stop comparing yourself to other parts, stop wishing to be another part, simply do YOUR PART (1 Corinthians 12:12-27 and Ephesians 4:14-16)!

“Why compare yourself to others? No one in the entire world 
can do a better job at being you than you!" (Anonymous)

    Keep growing your gratitude list. Be prayerful about the things that you have written there. Focus on your thoughts, are they full of complaint or contentment? Weed out comparison and do what YOU can to use your blessings to be a benefit to others, nothing is too little when done with love (Mark 9:41)!

“As each has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.” (1 Peter 4:10-11 NKJV)   

You can do it! So can I!!

"But God... " Will Raise Us In An Incorruptible Body

    Over the past weeks we have taken a closer look at only a few of the life-changing “But God…” verses found in the New Testament. In these texts we see the dismal downward spiral of man-made circumstances and the escape which God supplies that can change everything for us! The words “but God” glow with His marvelous light, drawing our attention to the path that God has provided to all who seek the Light!

    We have learned:

• We were sinners… but God, with great love for us, gave us His Son to die for us! (Romans 5:8)
• Jesus died for us… but God raised Him from the dead! (Acts 13:30, Romans 1:1-4)
• We were dead in trespasses and sins… but God made us alive together with Christ! (Ephesians 2:1-4)
• The world exalts wisdom, wealth, and power… but God chose lowly things to put these things to shame (1 Corinthians 1:26-31)
• We may try to justify our motives to fool others, even ourselves… but God knows our hearts! (Luke 16:15)
• We will face temptation… but God faithfully makes the way of escape so we can overcome it! (1 Corinthians 10:13)

    The final “But God…” verse I would like to study in this series is another transformative verse, it’s completely life-altering!

“But God gives it a body as He pleases… The body is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption… it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. ” (1 Corinthians 15:38, 42, 44 NKJV)

    Ever since the gospel message was first preached, people have likely wondered how we’ll be raised up and what we’ll look like. It is difficult for us to wrap our minds around the spiritual realm when we are in the physical realm but God, through the apostle Paul, gives us a wonderful analogy to help us understand.

    When you plant a seed, you understand that the seed itself will die, and then from within it comes forth a plant abundant with life. God gives this plant its body (which is different in appearance than the original seed, 1 Corinthians 15:37) and He gives it just as He pleases! Consider for a moment a small black and white sunflower seed in comparison to the gorgeous golden flower that grows from it – God provided that!

    We too, will one day die, and from within us will come forth our spirit, abundant in life, to which God will give a body (different in appearance than our original), a body raised in incorruption, glory, and power – a spiritual body suited for the spiritual realm (1 Corinthians 15:42-44, 2 Corinthians 5:1-5)! 

“Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.” (1 John 3:1-3 NKJV)

    This great and wonderful life-changing transformation will happen to us all and it will be glorious to all who have hope as children of God!!  

    If you have this hope, continue to purify yourself, just as He pure, always looking forward to seeing God and Jesus as they are for all eternity!!  

You can do it! So can I!!

"But God Has Chosen the Foolish Things..." (Part 2)

“But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty…” (1 Corinthians 1:27 NKJV)

    God chose lowly things, “foolish” things so that anyone who believes can be saved. To those of us who do believ,e we see the power and wisdom of God, but to all others, particularly those “who are perishing”, those who mock God and the very idea of God, it is only “foolishness.”

    The message of the cross, the simple way in which Jesus came and conducted Himself (even sacrificing Himself), was contrary to the expectations of the Jews who were looking for a great and powerful Saviour Messiah, so they rejected Jesus and in so doing rejected their hope of salvation (Acts 13:46). The Gentiles on the other hand sought after astonishing wisdom, thoughts that would confound the common people and ideas that would give the great philosophers of the day much to discuss and consider, but Jesus came with simple “stories” about seed sowers and farmers, women who swept their houses, and people who bought small plots of land – to them His teaching was “foolishness”, mere stories to amuse children (1 Corinthians 1:21-23). 

    Let’s not fall prey to that type of thinking. God’s word is not out of reach. Jesus’ humble nature welcomes us all to come near and approach God, the Father, through Him (John 14:6). God has always chosen the simple things He has made and provided to all, so that no one is hindered from seeking and finding Him (Acts 17:26-27).

Consider these “lowly” things in our worship:

• ·       Simple, quiet, respectful gatherings where “all things done decently and in order” (1 Corinthians 14:40) so that we may worship God in “spirit and in truth” (John 4:24). There are no complicated rituals, nor pompous ceremonial processions, but only common men leading our thoughts as we observe the Lord’s Supper, leading us as we sing together, and teaching and preaching a Bible lesson for our benefit, so that our attention is focused on honouring God, not man.
• ·       No ornate clothing worn by the men leading, no robes or cassocks, no special vestments of any sort, simply respectful clothing (even we in attendance are given instruction to keep our clothing simple, see 1 Timothy 2:9-10, 1 Peter 3:3-4).  Again, so our focus stays on God and not on people.
• ·        No foreign languages, no Latin, but only what is understandable to the congregation (1 Corinthians 14:10-17). Lessons simply from God’s word, the Bible, from which every man may be made “complete and thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17). So that no one elevates himself above the congregation because of his learning or ability, but that God and His word are elevated and held in high esteem.
• ·       No musicians or choir members atop a stage. No man-made instruments required for worship, only what God made, common to all people: our hearts, our spirit, and our voices, as we join together in song “singing and making melody in our hearts to the Lord” (Ephesians 5:19). Our attention is to be on God, not on a singer or a musician. We are not at a concert to be entertained, we are to humbly gather together before God, approach His throne, and exalt Him with our praise and attention (Philippians 2:1-11).
• ·       No names that raise people above others. No titles like “father”, “reverend”, or “pope” – these are all man-made titles that were made to encourage respect and reverence, but God is to have the respect and reverence, not men. Jesus, Himself, commanded, “Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven” (Matthew 23:9). We are all brothers and sisters in Christ, all children of God (Romans 8:15-17, 1 John 3:1-3), and that, I think, is honour enough!
• ·      Unleavened bread and fruit of the vine. Simple, basic elements: flour, water, juice from grapes – all made and provided by God Himself. We know the fruit of the vine was not wine (something invented by man), because there was no leavening to be in the house during the observation of the Passover (Exodus 12:12-15), nothing fermented, only fresh, unleavened ingredients just as God provided them. Why did God choose these simple elements for the Lord’s Supper? So that when we partake of it each week our focus is on Jesus and not on a meal (1 Corinthians 11:22) or highfalutin man-made drink.

·             God chose basic men, not scholars who went to seminaries to learn how to preach, but “uneducated and untrained” fishermen (Acts 4:13) and a tentmaker “untrained in speech” (2 Corinthians 11:6) to preach and teach the gospel message to both Jews and Gentiles (Mark 16:15-16, Acts 26:15-18). Today is no different. The men who preach are just like the rest of the brethren except that they have chosen to spend their lives studying God’s word, and preaching/teaching the gospel. They should be encouraged in their pursuit as they encourage us to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18)! They do not teach their own ideas and imaginings, they speak only what God has provided through His holy and divine word (1 Peter 4:11, Galatians 1:8-10)!

    God chose the simple things so that all could hear, believe, and obey. God chose the things He made, the things He provided to mankind so that man could not puff himself up and say “Look what I did!” or “Look what I can do!” God simply asks us to come together to think on all that He did and praise Him for all that He continues to do!

    We don’t need to have an expensive education to understand the gospel, only sincere love for God and His word. We don’t need to be wealthy to worship Him, we don’t need to have a musical skill or even ability to sing in tune, we only need our God-made heart and soul, bound together in sincere belief and humble obedience, to join with others in praise and worship of our hallowed Father in heaven!

    God chose the lowly things. God chose us. Let us worship Him and reverence Him as He desires, using only the things He has given us to honour and reverence Him for all He has given us!!

You can do it! So can I!! 

"But God Has Chosen the Foolish Things..." (Part 1)

“For you see your calling brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the mighty…” (1 Corinthians 1:26-27 NKJV)

    I love these verses because it states that all can find/access God. We don’t have to worry about whether we were born with great knowledge and wisdom, or had wealth with which we could readily attain these through higher education. We needn’t concern ourselves with class or caste systems where birth locks us into a societal category of standing. We don’t have to work ourselves to death in the gym to gain might and strength. No, because God chose simple things so that we would glory in Him – His wisdom, His majesty, His power and might – and not glory in ourselves.

“Thus says the LORD: “Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, let not the mighty man glory in his might, not let the rich man glory in his riches; but let him who glories glory in this, that he understands Me, that I am the LORD, exercising lovingkindness in the earth. For in these I delight,“ says the LORD.” (Jeremiah 9:23-24 NKJV)    

    God made mankind so that we might seek Him and find Him (Acts 17:26-27). He calls us through the gospel (2 Thessalonians 2:13-14) out of the darkness of sin and into His marvelous light (Acts 26:17-18, 1 Peter 2:9). The gospel was preached by simple men: fishermen, tentmakers, tax collectors. It was recorded and preserved on papyrus and it is now in something completely common, accessible, and simple: a book – the Bible – most every household may already have one. Side Note: Consider that the New King James Bible is written at about a Grade 7 reading level, making it accessible for reading and comprehension for most everyone aged 12 years and older.

    Our responsibility is simply to submit to His Word and way. To read/listen/hear the gospel message (Romans 10:17), to believe it, and to humbly obey God’s instructions (Mark 16:15-16, Acts 2:38, James 1:25) all the days of our life (Matthew 10:22, Revelation 2:10)!

    If the Lord wills, next week we will look closer at the “lowly” things God has chosen and how through them He has provided us all access to hope through Jesus, His Son!!

 

"But God..." - How God Turned Our Lives from Hopeless to Hopeful!

    If the Lord wills, I would like to take a few weeks to look at the amazingly wonderful, hope-stirring bible verses that express how God, because of His great love for us, gave us a Saviour and changed human life forever!!

    Through Jesus our lives can be changed from death to life, from bondage to freedom, from darkness to light, from hopeless to hope-filled and glorious!!

    I hope you will join me as we look at the verses that give us all the more reason to be joyful and full of thanksgiving for our great and loving Father!

    Let's begin!

“And though they found no cause for death in Him, they asked Pilate that He should be put to death. Now when they had fulfilled all that was written concerning Him, they took Him down from the tree and laid Him in a tomb. But God raised Him from the dead.” (Acts 13:28-30 NKJV)

    “But God raised Him from the dead.”

    That one sentence, that one solitary statement, changed everything for us! That one declaration of fact is the ultimate proof that Jesus was indeed the Son of God because – God raised Him from the dead!

     When God raised Jesus from the dead:

• Jesus was proved to be His Son (Acts 2:32-33, Romans 1:4)!
• Jesus became the firstborn from the dead, never to die again (Colossians 1:18, Acts 13:34-35, Revelation 1:18)
• Jesus’ words, everything He had spoken, were proved true (Luke 9:22, 24:46-47)
• The prophets were proved true (Acts 2:16-32; 13:32-34)
• Jesus became our Mediator (1 Timothy 2:5-6), our Advocate (1 John 2:1), and our eternal High Priest (Hebrews 4:14-16), who makes intercession for us (Romans 8:34)!
• We are justified (brought back into favour with God) and have access to forgiveness of our sins (Acts 10:40-43, Romans 4:25; 8:31-33, Ephesians 1:7, 1 John 1:9-2:2)!
• He proved He has power to raise us up too (1 Corinthians 6:14, 2 Corinthians 4:14, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18)!

    Consider this beautiful passage:

 “…if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty. Yes, and we are found false witnesses of God, because we have testified of God that He raised up Christ, whom He did not raise up—if in fact the dead do not rise. For if the dead do not rise, then Christ is not risen. And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins! Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable. But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.” (1 Corinthians 15:14-20 NKJV)

    When God raised Jesus from the dead He changed our lives forever! We can have confident faith in every word, command, and instruction spoken by Jesus. We now can have access to God, access to His help (Hebrews 4:16) His forgiveness (1 John 1:9), His comfort (2 Corinthians 1:3-4) and His peace (Philippians 4:6-7). Because God raised Jesus from the dead, we can believe it, and have faith to obey Jesus’ commands and have hope to be raised in the final Day to life eternal (John 5:25, 28-29, Romans 10:9-13, Ephesians 1:17-23, 1 Peter 1:20-21)!!

“Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!” (2 Corinthians 9:15 NKJV)

The LORD Takes Pleasure In Those Who Fear Him

“He does not delight in the strength of the horse; He takes no pleasure in the legs of man. The LORD takes pleasure in those who fear Him, in those who hope in His mercy.” (Psalm 147:10-11 NKJV)

The Lord takes pleasure in those who are willing, even in their strength of mind and body, to humble themselves and bend their knee to His majesty; those who, even though blessed with great physical ability, understand who God is and who they are before Him, choosing reverence over revolt.

“No king is saved by the multitude of an army; a mighty man is not delivered by great strength. A horse is a vain hope for safety; neither shall it deliver any by its great strength. Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear Him, on those who hope in His mercy, to deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine.” (Psalm 33:16-19 NKJV)

We build our lives in such a way so as not to worry. “As long as I have ______, I’ll be okay.” We tell ourselves this, filling in the blank with “family”, “friends”, “money”, “health”, “control”, etc. Great empires rise and fall, mighty men can be weak, even strong horses have limited ability and soon grow tired, none of these can deliver a soul from death, none can cause food to grow in famine. But God can.

If we live humbly and reverently before God, making use of the “today” He grants us by seeking further knowledge of Him (and discovering more reasons to respect Him), obeying His commands (and realizing that His way truly is the BEST way), and by doing good and shining our light to guide others toward Jesus (because it is only through Jesus that hope is found, 1 Peter 1:3-4), then we can come to the point where we no longer place trust in our physical blessings and instead we can happily state, “As long as I have God, I’ll be okay.”

“Our soul waits for the LORD; He is our help and our shield. For our heart shall rejoice in Him, because we have trusted in His holy name. Let Your mercy, O LORD, be upon us, just as we hope in You.” (Psalm 33:20-22 NKJV)

From wherever you are right now - BEGIN!

(Photo Credit: Cait Fairchild)

The Fear of the Lord is a Fountain of Life

“The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to turn one away from the snare of death.” (Proverbs 14:27 NKJV)

    During our study so far we have found that fearing the Lord means revering Him in both awe and trepidation of His power, might, and majesty. Having a wholesome fear of God is the first step in gaining true knowledge, wisdom and understanding. When we properly fear God we will see that He has provided all we need to be pleasing to Him and we will obey His instructions with determination and gratitude.

    Today, let’s consider that the fear of the Lord is a fountain of life. The very image of that statement is appealing and refreshing, isn’t it? When we fear the Lord, humbly submit to Him and obey Him, we have access to an unending spring of sustenance – WOW! How amazing is that! – in God’s word we learn of the path that leads to eternal life and with that we find guidance, strength, encouragement, and hope to help us as we journey on that path! We discover that God provides for our daily physical needs (Matthew 6:25-34), our daily spiritual needs (John 3:16-21, Hebrews 4:16, 1 John 1:9), and loads us with abundant daily blessings (Psalm 68:19)!

    God provides this continual spring of sustenance, this refuge from the sinful ways of the world, a place where we can gain knowledge and wisdom, so that we may avoid the bait and lures of the devil, seeing them for what they really are we can resist them (James 4:7). The snares of the devil lead to spiritual death, and he will use every trick in the book to gain our attention and interest: anger/revenge, lust/sex, jealousy, greed, pride, apathy, the list goes on and on.

    The devil deceives us with lies that lead to death. His deception decays our life now and condemns us to everlasting destruction later. Everything he does is for our harm and downfall; he baits us with lures that when chased will draw us to the depths of despair, but what God provides is LIFE, life through His Son, a better life now, and eternal life later!! Everything God gives by way of instructions for what we need to be doing and by way of boundaries to keep us from things we should avoid – all of His doing is always for our good! God provides all the help we need to grow, develop, and succeed!

    Are you desiring refreshment and revitalization? Seek God, submit to Him and His way, approach Him with fear and trembling and awe-filled adoration and gain access to His abundant provision of sustenance!! Let the knowledge and understanding you gain help you avoid the lures and temptations of the devil. Humbly obeying God’s way will keep you away from the snares of death!! It is worth every effort and every sacrifice!!

You can do it! So can I!!

Gain Confidence Through Fearing the Lord

“In the fear of the LORD there is strong confidence, and His children will have a place of refuge.” (Proverbs 14:26 NKJV)

    A little while ago, something came into my day “from outta left field” and although I received the information calmly and attentively, my mind was beginning to reel. After the conversation, as I got into my car I wanted nothing more in that moment than to get home as fast as possible and get to my bedroom where I could privately get down on my knees and pour out my heart to God. I knew without doubt that He could help me sort out what I was feeling and help calm my mind.

    In fearing the Lord, I have learned that His promises of help are real! I have gained strong confidence in His faithfulness and unending love for His children. God is my refuge, the One I run to in times of struggle and in times of joy. My first words of the morning, upon waking, are to Him as are the last words I speak before closing my eyes at night. I run to Him, asking Him to protect my husband and children from harm as they leave the house for the day and as each of them return in the evening I raise my voice to Him in praise and thanksgiving. I ask His care to be upon those who are unwell because I know His care can go to places I cannot; it can span the world, go into war-torn areas, into ICUs, and into the lives of those whose struggles are known only to Him.

    God, Himself, is the refuge of His children and it is only in fearing Him – submitting to Him and to His way in reverent awe and fear – that we can access His proffered refuge. God is not bound by time or fatigue so the refuge we find in Him is always available to us, no matter the time or quantity of times we seek it (consider 1 Samuel 1:12-18 and Hebrews 4:16)!

    Each time you take refuge in God your confidence in Him will grow and develop and your faith will be strengthened! God wants you to have strong confidence in Him and the only way you can construct that kind of confidence is by taking Him at His word (trust Him!), humble yourself, and obey His commands!

    Let God be your place of refuge! Pour out your heart’s joys and sorrows, your hopes and fears, and discover all the good things God provides to those who fear Him!!

You can do it! So can I!!

“In God is my salvation and my glory; the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God. Trust in Him at all times, you people; pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us.” (Psalm 62:7-8 NKJV)

Thankful For God's Faithfulness

    Have you considered God's faithfulness? Have you thanked Him for His constancy? Have you praised Him for being your Rock?

    GOD IS THE ONLY CONSTANT in this temporal life!

    I encourage you to read the whole of Psalm 139, but right now please consider these statements selected from that psalm:

    "O LORD, You have searched me and known me, You know my sitting down and my rising up; You understand my thought afar off, You comprehend my path and my lying down, and are acquainted with all my ways.... Where can I go from Your Spirit? Where can I flee from Your presence?... Marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well... How precious also are your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand; when I awake, I am still with You...."

    God is ALWAYS. God is FOREVER ALWAYS.

• Thank Him today for His faithfulness - it never fails! (Psalm 36:5-7)
• Thank Him for the truth of His promises - they are real! (Psalm 18:30)
• Thank Him for the readiness of His help - it is constant! (Hebrews 4:16, Acts 17:27)
• Thank Him for being the only true source of help and encouragement - help and encouragement from an untainted source! The help you receive from the Lord is pure and holy! The guidance you receive from His word is pure and peaceable! (James 3:17) 

    With that in mind, please consider this:

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths." (Proverbs 3:5-6 NKJV)

• 'Trust in the LORD with ALL your heart' - Trust Him! Do things His way and see how blessed your days become!!
• 'Do not lean on your own understanding' - we only know part of the story, we don't have the complete understanding of all things as God does. Do not think that you know better than God - that is an impossibility! Simply understand that you don't know (and don't always need to know) the whole of any situation, but God does know the whole and he asks you to submit in trust to Him!
• 'In all your ways, acknowledge God' - thank Him for His care, His help, your hope. Thank Him!! Acknowledge His provision - life, breath and all things! (Acts 17:25)
• 'He will make your paths straight' - God's way is the best way. You have heard me say this time and time again, but it is true! When we envision the path to God there are many opportunities (provided by the world) to tempt us to step off the path, but when we truly acknowledge God as our Rock, our Provider, and our Salvation, the desire to step off the path is minimal to non-existent! (James 4:8)

Thank God today!! Thank Him for His constancy! Thank Him for His care! Thank Him for His instruction and guidance!

"It is good to give thanks to the Lord, And to sing praises to Your name, O Most High; to declare Your lovingkindness in the morning, and Your faithfulness every night..." (Psalm 92:1-2 NKJV)