There is not a square inch in the whole domain of our human existence over
which Christ, who is Soveregin over all, does not cry "Mine."
- Abraham Kuyper
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Shake Me, Wake Me
Most of us would agree that life can be a challenge. We may often relate to a line from a song performed by the Four Tops "shake me, wake me, when it's over." We may have economic success at one moment and failure may come a short time later. We may go to bed feeling on top of the world and wake up the next morning with an illness. We try to take precautions but we all know things can happen. In reality, life appears to offer no guarantees, at least of our own making.
In 2 Samuel, David experienced the fickleness of life, its people, and day-to-day events. One minute he was supported and things are going well, a short time later, support had vanished and he was to blame. At that time I am sure David's confidence was shaken. The truth is life has the ability to shake us all up at times. It can be confusing, people can be difficult, and events can seem so unfair. Yet, for the believer, life does come with some guarantees.
One: Salvation is a free and gracious gift. It comes through faith in Jesus Christ. This fact cannot be shaken and it does not change. In this life you may experience times of loss, times of disappointment, painful struggles, yet our salvation is secure in Jesus Christ. He is our rock and our mighty fortress, in him we have eternal security.
Two: Heaven is a kingdom that cannot be shaken. As believers we at not citizens of this world but of heaven. Buy the grace of Jesus Christ and through our faith in him, we have been guaranteed access to this kingdom. This world may be a place of dispair and disappointment but it is not our final destination. Christ has purchased our passage beyond this world and into the kingdom of God. It comes with a guarantee that cannot be resended. There are no additional charges, no late fees or weight limits. It is not based on any religious belief but on our relationship with him.
Three: This life is not permanent but our life with Jesus Christ is eternal. It has been purchased with his blood and will be perfected with his love. So I will continue to remind myself that life may shake me but God has chosen to wake me and give me his unconditional guarantee, through Jesus Christ my Lord.
RefRev
In 2 Samuel, David experienced the fickleness of life, its people, and day-to-day events. One minute he was supported and things are going well, a short time later, support had vanished and he was to blame. At that time I am sure David's confidence was shaken. The truth is life has the ability to shake us all up at times. It can be confusing, people can be difficult, and events can seem so unfair. Yet, for the believer, life does come with some guarantees.
One: Salvation is a free and gracious gift. It comes through faith in Jesus Christ. This fact cannot be shaken and it does not change. In this life you may experience times of loss, times of disappointment, painful struggles, yet our salvation is secure in Jesus Christ. He is our rock and our mighty fortress, in him we have eternal security.
Two: Heaven is a kingdom that cannot be shaken. As believers we at not citizens of this world but of heaven. Buy the grace of Jesus Christ and through our faith in him, we have been guaranteed access to this kingdom. This world may be a place of dispair and disappointment but it is not our final destination. Christ has purchased our passage beyond this world and into the kingdom of God. It comes with a guarantee that cannot be resended. There are no additional charges, no late fees or weight limits. It is not based on any religious belief but on our relationship with him.
Three: This life is not permanent but our life with Jesus Christ is eternal. It has been purchased with his blood and will be perfected with his love. So I will continue to remind myself that life may shake me but God has chosen to wake me and give me his unconditional guarantee, through Jesus Christ my Lord.
RefRev
ReformedRev's Quote of the Day
"God has not thrown me away. I am in his mind day and night, and
his thoughts are at work to do me good."
- William Gurnall
his thoughts are at work to do me good."
- William Gurnall
Monday, May 7, 2012
Possess What You Profess
I recently posed a question to a friend of mine, when does a half truth become a full lie? I have heard people use the phrase "half truth" as a sort of bridge between the truth and a lie as if it were an acceptable compromise. To be honest, I find this kind of moral quibbling very disappointing, and I view it as a proverbial slippery sloop. It is easy to profess variations of what might resemble the truth but much more difficult to possess what is the truth.
As followers of Christ we are encouraged by the scriptures to speak the truth. Our credibility is founded on truth, spoken with love, for the good of the listener, as well as the speaker. There is no place in the christian life for half truths, three quarter truths, partial truths, or fragments of the truth. This is especially true for those in positions of authority, clergy, elders, deacons, teachers, etc..
So here is the plain truth. The half truth does not exist; it is just a phrase used to disguise a complete lie. If one decides to withhold part of the truth then one has taken it upon oneself not to tell the truth. Half truths are the less sophisticated cousins of innuendo and gossip, but all are liars at heart.
In Zechariah 8:16-17, God spoke these words to Zechariah: "These are things you are to do: Speak the truth to each other, and render true and sound judgement in your courts; do not plot evil against your neighbor, and do not love to swear falsely, I hate all this," declares the Lord.
As Christians, we are called to speak the truth in a faithful and loving manner so that it may benefit the one who hears and the one who speaks. It may be uncomfortable, difficult, or even a painful task to complete but it is what we are called to do. God encourages us to never be afraid to question or examine the words of others. We are to hold them up to the sound guidance of scripture where truth and lies are easily seperated.
So do not be afraid to seek and speak the truth, the whole truth. In doing so you will be one step closer to living the life you seek. Possess what you profess, for the truth will set you free.
RefRev
As followers of Christ we are encouraged by the scriptures to speak the truth. Our credibility is founded on truth, spoken with love, for the good of the listener, as well as the speaker. There is no place in the christian life for half truths, three quarter truths, partial truths, or fragments of the truth. This is especially true for those in positions of authority, clergy, elders, deacons, teachers, etc..
So here is the plain truth. The half truth does not exist; it is just a phrase used to disguise a complete lie. If one decides to withhold part of the truth then one has taken it upon oneself not to tell the truth. Half truths are the less sophisticated cousins of innuendo and gossip, but all are liars at heart.
In Zechariah 8:16-17, God spoke these words to Zechariah: "These are things you are to do: Speak the truth to each other, and render true and sound judgement in your courts; do not plot evil against your neighbor, and do not love to swear falsely, I hate all this," declares the Lord.
As Christians, we are called to speak the truth in a faithful and loving manner so that it may benefit the one who hears and the one who speaks. It may be uncomfortable, difficult, or even a painful task to complete but it is what we are called to do. God encourages us to never be afraid to question or examine the words of others. We are to hold them up to the sound guidance of scripture where truth and lies are easily seperated.
So do not be afraid to seek and speak the truth, the whole truth. In doing so you will be one step closer to living the life you seek. Possess what you profess, for the truth will set you free.
RefRev
Sunday, May 6, 2012
ReformedRev's Quote of the Day
"God always gives his best to those who leave the choice to him."
- Jim Elliot
- Jim Elliot
Saturday, May 5, 2012
The Cross is My Anchor!
A Roman philosopher once said, “The art of living is more like wrestling than dancing.” I think I would have to agree because it seems I grapple more than tango through the days of my life. I often feel that my days spring forth with more challenges than moments of celebration. Yet, I know I am not alone in in my view. Another wise Roman was a bit more specific in his assessment when he said “Life is warfare!” Well, I don’t know if I would carry it that far but I would say life can be difficult and challenging.
However, trying to build my philosophy of life on either one of these phrases would be depressing. I know life can be difficult but I want to enjoy it and I want it to have meaning. So let me suggest another phrase, one that carries some meat on its bones.
The cross is my anchor! These words are translated from a Latin phrase I often use in e-mails and writings I send to friends. It reminds me my life is anchored in the Cross of Christ and all it stands for.
Carrying one’s cross has nothing to do with a servile submission to difficulty or disaster. It has nothing to do with a passive resignation to the pain and difficulties we all face in this life. Instead, it has everything to do with a joyful abandonment to doing the will of God. Fulfilling the will of God in our lives always involves putting the concerns of God’s kingdom before the pursuit of our own passions, security, possessions, status, or power. The Cross of Christ is our constant reminder that we are to seek God’s will in our daily lives, just as Jesus did in his life. The world regards this as a foolish way to live life. People we know may even challenge us over the wisdom of our beliefs. They may regard the cross as a symbol of weakness. However, our daily lives can testify to the power of the cross and all that it stands for.
In Hebrews 6:19 we read these powerful words, “We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. “ The verse refers to the certainty of God’s promises to us. God’s purpose and his promises are certain and our lives and hope are anchored in the cross, the ultimate symbol of his will. So we all can resonate with the phrase “the cross is my anchor.” May it always be and may we never forget.
RefRev
However, trying to build my philosophy of life on either one of these phrases would be depressing. I know life can be difficult but I want to enjoy it and I want it to have meaning. So let me suggest another phrase, one that carries some meat on its bones.
The cross is my anchor! These words are translated from a Latin phrase I often use in e-mails and writings I send to friends. It reminds me my life is anchored in the Cross of Christ and all it stands for.
Carrying one’s cross has nothing to do with a servile submission to difficulty or disaster. It has nothing to do with a passive resignation to the pain and difficulties we all face in this life. Instead, it has everything to do with a joyful abandonment to doing the will of God. Fulfilling the will of God in our lives always involves putting the concerns of God’s kingdom before the pursuit of our own passions, security, possessions, status, or power. The Cross of Christ is our constant reminder that we are to seek God’s will in our daily lives, just as Jesus did in his life. The world regards this as a foolish way to live life. People we know may even challenge us over the wisdom of our beliefs. They may regard the cross as a symbol of weakness. However, our daily lives can testify to the power of the cross and all that it stands for.
In Hebrews 6:19 we read these powerful words, “We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. “ The verse refers to the certainty of God’s promises to us. God’s purpose and his promises are certain and our lives and hope are anchored in the cross, the ultimate symbol of his will. So we all can resonate with the phrase “the cross is my anchor.” May it always be and may we never forget.
RefRev
ReformedRev's Quote of the Day
"Christ is the candle that light's the way out of man's darkness."
- William Gurnall
- William Gurnall
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)