A confusing week for atheists

24 Nov , 2009 14 Comments

Thanksgiving has got to be a strange time for the atheist- having a deep sense of gratitude for all of life’s blessings but not knowing who to thank.  In fact, the atheist who celebrates Thanksgiving is a hypocrite in the highest degree.  It seems strange to be thankful for oneself.   I suppose you can be thankful for others’ acts of love but in the end, isn’t life itself is a gift?  And if it’s a gift, is there not a Giver?

Of course, Thanksgiving is a distinctively Christian holiday.  It all started in 1620 when the pilgrims (at least a third of them) made it to America alive.  They invited the native Indians to join them and they gave praise and thanksgiving to God.  Our founding fathers saw fit to set aside time of prayer and thanksgiving to God (and yes, specifically to the God of the Bible).  Those of us who know God through Christ have no question about whom to thank.  Perhaps the greatest gift of all this Thanksgiving is this: You know whom to thank.

So as you go about this week, gather with family, and probably eat way too much, don’t forget that thanksgiving is not simply an attitude or a sense of gratitude.  It is an expression of thanksgiving and praise to the One who has given us all things- even life itself.  Give praise and thanks to God.  After all, thanks unexpressed is no thanks at all.

Happy Thanksgiving.  Thank you, Jesus.

Lessons from Samson’s life

20 Nov , 2009 1 Comment

Samson was one of the most “wheels off” characters in the Bible.  Read his story in Judges 13-16 and you’ll see: he was mostly out of control.  In many ways he epitomizes a kind of rugged “man’s man” in our culture today (brut strength, a womanizer, independent, even violent).  But in the end his story is tragic.  He ends up stripped of his God-given abilities, blind, and suicidal.  Such is the destructive bent of one who disregards God’s commands.

In the end Samson does, however, end up in the “Hall of Faith” in Hebrews 11.  How could it be?  Behind this unlikely hero is a God who is faithful and can use us in spite of our sins.  Consider a few lessons from Samson’s life:

1. The true measure of a man is not found in his physical strength or appearance. Samson seems to be a man in search of his identity.  Even his strength and ability to overpower (both men and women) did not bring any sense of peace to Samson’s life. Our worth is found in Christ and what He’s already said about us and what He’s already done for us.

2. Often your greatest strength can be the source of your greatest weakness. It is possible to squander the very gifts God has given you to live out his purposes for your life.  Failure to give those gifts fully over to God will carry a high price tag.  Samson’s strength became his demise.  He did not use his God-given strength for God alone.  He used it to leverage his own desires.

3. Strength in one area of your life does not make up for weakness in another. You can be “successful” in worldly ways and not in godly ways.  In what areas of your life are you strong (and does it really matter that you are strong in those areas?)  For instance, I often say, nothing makes up for failure in the home.  You see, you can be “successful” in certain areas of your life and still fail where it matters most.

4.  Acknowledging your bent toward certain sin is the beginning of your battle to overcome it. Admit where most apt to fall. Name it; say it out loud and tell others.  Sin unconfessed is sin revisited.  Sin revisited is sin that is self-destructive.

5. There are always consequences for disobedience. Samson’s story goes from sad to tragic when Samson does not learn from his mistakes.  He repeats the same bad mistake of entering into a relationship with another bad woman.  Word of warning to all you students/singles- Guys: Watch out for Delilahs. Girls: Watch out for guys like Samson.  You must guard your heart!

This verse expresses the lessons of Samson’s life: “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.” Galatians 6:7

6. God can restore your life for His purposes even after you fall. Though you may face the consequences of your sin for the rest of your life, God can restore you.  Though some people will never forget, God forgives.  You may not enter back into a particular place or position but God will still accomplished His purposes through your life.  Samson ended up in the “Hall of Faith” because he continued to believe God- even in the end.  Sometimes it seems an undying faith in God trumps even our failures.

Jeremiah- The Unwavering Prophet

16 Nov , 2009 2 Comments

Jeremiah in the cisternIf you’re life looks like this today, don’t give up!

Consider this: what if God called you to a ministry that would require you to present a very difficult message to people who did not want to hear what you had to say?  What if, in fact, some would want you dead as a result of hearing what you had to say?  What if you were to do this for forty years- and without a single convert?!  And perhaps worst of all, you were to do it all alone.  This was the life and ministry of Jeremiah.

No wonder he wrestled with discouragement, depression, and even despair.  I look at his life and think, “I have nothing to complain about.”  I’m inspired by his courage, his honesty, and his persistence.  I’m also reminded that one’s legacy is not determined by worldly “success”, but is only measured by obedience to God.

Jeremiah’s legacy was simple: mission accomplished.  He was faithful and unwavering to God’s call that came upon him in chapter one, all the way to the end.  He did not seek the approval of others, he didn’t pretend to be someone he was not. He preached God’s Word, regardless of what the people said or how they responded.

What will be your legacy?

Legacy is not something you finally think about when you’re near the end of your life.  It’s not something you hope will fall into place.  Your legacy is something that takes place today and you must be intentional about it.  Let me encourage you today to remain faithful, remain moldable, remain true to your calling and pray.  Many start out strong, but very few finish strong.  Will you?  Don’t give up today!

Listen to the word that came to Jeremiah (while he and the people were in exile):

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.  Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.  You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.  I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity.  I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.” Jeremiah 29:11-14

Lessons from the life of Hosea

07 Nov , 2009 1 Comment

HoseaThroughout the Old Testament one of the primary analogies/images of God’s relationship with His people is that of marriage.   In fact, the Jewish interpretation of the Sinai covenant is that of a betrothal ceremony- an interpretation that is found throughout the Old Testament (Jer. 2:2, 3:8-14, 31:32, Ez. 16:8).  Israel’s idolatry- their worship of other gods is most often referred to as “adultery”.  God says He will rejoice over His people as a groom rejoices over His bride. The Song of Songs is an entire book committed to the intimate marriage of God and His people.

In the Book of Hosea, God uses the prophet’s real life experiences and circumstances (namely his marriage) to “preach” His message to the people of Israel.  The terrible truth about Israel’s religious promiscuity and coming destruction is being played out in Hosea’s life for all to see.

Lessons from the life of Hosea

1.  Our relationship with God is like a marriage. This is a powerful and guiding thought for us all- singles, young people, and married adults- you will never find one like Jesus.

2.  God uses our struggles to display His power through us. If we truly live to bring glory to God, it changes everything.  Regardless of what life brings our way, God can be glorified if we remain faithful to Him.

3.  God uses our challenges in relationships to reveal His love to others. Jesus calls us to love our enemies- (anyone can love their friends).  If you’re in a difficult relationship, even now, God wants you to show others a real life parable of His stubborn, redeeming love.

4.  God calls us to love the unlovely- even those who have hurt us. God hates sin; it grieves His heart; He cannot condone it; His perfect righteousness and justice demand that He deal with it.  But He still loves the sinner and diligently seeks us out and offers us His loving forgiveness.  We need to love like that.  We need to forgive like that.  We need to drag the festering hurts we have been harboring in our hearts to the cross of Christ- where we laid our own burden of guilt one day and where we found God’s loving forgiveness- and we must leave them all there.  When we fully forgive, our minds are released from the bondage of resentment that has been building a wall between us, and we are free to grow in our relationships with each other.

5.  Our disobedience to God brings judgment and severe consequences. Clearly, the majority of the book of Hosea is about the coming judgment of God upon Israel.  Like He does with us, He gives them evidence of their unfaithfulness, He warns them of coming destruction, offers an opportunity for repentance, then He holds true to His word.

6.  God calls us into a covenant relationship with Him. It all starts as we realize how much God has done for us in Christ. Renew your covenant marriage to God.  If you have never entered into that eternal covenant (made possible only through the Cross of Christ), say, “I DO” right now.

The High Price for Delayed Obedience

02 Nov , 2009 No Comments
Jonah

Jonah is yacked up on the beach!

The story of Jonah reminds us that we do not set the agenda for God’s call our own lives.  You and I must get to the point where we answer God’s call on our lives with no strings attached.   Jonah shows us that delayed obedience can come with a huge price tag.  He said “no” to God then was caught in a storm, brought to a suicidal state, thrown into the sea, swallowed whole by a giant fish, and vomited up on the beach.  Just ask Jonah: When God speaks we need to respond immediately.

What are you currently going through that could be the result of delayed obedience?  Let Jonah remind us that God’s plans supersede our own plans and desires. When we chose not to obey, it doesn’t mean that God will not accomplish His purposes.  It does mean, however, that we don’t experience the joy of being used by Him.  In the end, (even though God used Jonah) it was Jonah who missed out.  There is a high price for delayed obedience!