In Exodus, we read of the great miracles God does for His people as they wander through the desert on their way to the promised land. The Hebrews literally travel from miracle to miracle. Perhaps the greatest miracle they experienced was at the very beginning of their journey when God split apart the waters of the Red Sea and allowed them to cross on dry ground to escape from the charging Egyptians. The Hebrews celebrated after this great miracle and blessing from God (see Exodus 15:1-21).
Only three days later, the Hebrews grumbled against Moses (in reality, they were grumbling against God) because they could not find drinking water (see Exodus 15:22-24). Only three days after their great escape - the greatest miracle and the greatest blessing they had ever seen - they were willing to shake their fist at God!
If we're not careful, we can be a lot like the Hebrews. We can forget what God has done for us. We can forget the miracles He's done in our lives. We can forget the blessings He's given to us. Let's not forget that He's the One who has led us to where we are - not to forsake us, to forget about us or to leave us. He's led us to where we are so that we can trust in Him completely for everything instead of relying on ourselves.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Conflict
At City on a Hill Church, I've been preaching a series of messages on the Beatitudes found in chapter 5 of the Gospel of Matthew. This week, we come to verse 9 where Jesus tells us,
"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God."
The interesting thing we need to remember is that we're all going to encounter conflict. Conflict is not necessarily a bad thing in and of itself. In fact, a long-lasting relationship with anyone without conflict is probably not a healthy one. What we do with conflict is truly the important focal point.
The book of James helps us understand how to handle conflict. In the first three verses of chapter 4, we're reminded
What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from your desires that battle within you? You want something but don't get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.
This really helps us understand that conflict arises many times out of unmet desires in our hearts. If someone does not meet that desire, we have a tendency to condemn that person and quarrel and fight to get our way. Those desires turn to demands. When we judge and punish those who get in our way, we've allowed conflict to turn into sin. In fact, when what we want becomes more important than loving others and maintaining peace and unity, our desires and demands have become idols.
"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God."
The interesting thing we need to remember is that we're all going to encounter conflict. Conflict is not necessarily a bad thing in and of itself. In fact, a long-lasting relationship with anyone without conflict is probably not a healthy one. What we do with conflict is truly the important focal point.
The book of James helps us understand how to handle conflict. In the first three verses of chapter 4, we're reminded
What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from your desires that battle within you? You want something but don't get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.
This really helps us understand that conflict arises many times out of unmet desires in our hearts. If someone does not meet that desire, we have a tendency to condemn that person and quarrel and fight to get our way. Those desires turn to demands. When we judge and punish those who get in our way, we've allowed conflict to turn into sin. In fact, when what we want becomes more important than loving others and maintaining peace and unity, our desires and demands have become idols.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
True Love
From where does true love come? Many people consider love to be a feeling or emotion that becomes present only at certain times. Other people say that love is a choice that we must make. There is some truth in both of those views.
In 1 John 4: 19, the apostle tells us, "We love because he first loved us."
Love is more than an emotion. It's not just the warm and fuzzy feeling you get when you see your spouse or children. Love is more than an intellect. It's not just making a decision to act a certain way even though you don't want to. Love is the evidence of God in our lives. Love is God, Himself!
If we have God living in us, then loving one another should be the easiest thing we ever do. Loving one another should be the thing we do the most.
In 1 John 4: 19, the apostle tells us, "We love because he first loved us."
Love is more than an emotion. It's not just the warm and fuzzy feeling you get when you see your spouse or children. Love is more than an intellect. It's not just making a decision to act a certain way even though you don't want to. Love is the evidence of God in our lives. Love is God, Himself!
If we have God living in us, then loving one another should be the easiest thing we ever do. Loving one another should be the thing we do the most.
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
God's Discipline
The purpose of discipline is not to punish for punishment's sake, but to correct one's attitude and behavior. Hebrews 12 makes it very clear that God discipline's his children. Why would He do this? Verse 6 reminds us that it is because of love God disciplines us.
I wonder how often we actually acknowledge God's discipline in our lives instead of dismissing it as something else. And I wonder how often we actually submit to God's discipline in our lives. We're told the results are beneficial.
... How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live!... but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. Hebrews 12:9-11 NIV
Usually, before we get to the place of an attitude adjustment, we go through all kinds of emotions. Sometimes we may feel hurt or rebellious. The hope is that we would feel Godly sorrow.
Even if I caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it. Though I did regret it - I see that my letter hurt you, but only for a little while - yet now I am happy, not because you were made sorry, but because your sorrow led you to repentance. For you became sorrowful as God intended and so were not harmed in any way by us. Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.
2 Corinthians 7:8-10 NIV
Godly sorrow isn't sadness over the consequence of our actions. It's sorrow that reveals an acknowledgment of sin and a true change in heart - ie, repentance. That's the goal of discipline!
I wonder how often we actually acknowledge God's discipline in our lives instead of dismissing it as something else. And I wonder how often we actually submit to God's discipline in our lives. We're told the results are beneficial.
... How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live!... but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. Hebrews 12:9-11 NIV
Usually, before we get to the place of an attitude adjustment, we go through all kinds of emotions. Sometimes we may feel hurt or rebellious. The hope is that we would feel Godly sorrow.
Even if I caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it. Though I did regret it - I see that my letter hurt you, but only for a little while - yet now I am happy, not because you were made sorry, but because your sorrow led you to repentance. For you became sorrowful as God intended and so were not harmed in any way by us. Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.
2 Corinthians 7:8-10 NIV
Godly sorrow isn't sadness over the consequence of our actions. It's sorrow that reveals an acknowledgment of sin and a true change in heart - ie, repentance. That's the goal of discipline!
Thursday, September 2, 2010
God Can Change Me
I was talking with someone recently about her past. As she dug up old stories of things that had happened and decisions she had made, it became clear to me that I needed to remind her of 2 Corinthians 5:17:
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!
The same power that raised Jesus from the dead changes us when we accept Christ as our Lord and Savior. That's good news! We all have hurts, and we need to know that God loves us enough to change us and/or our situation in life.
Comments that don't include a first and last name of the author will not be published.
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!
The same power that raised Jesus from the dead changes us when we accept Christ as our Lord and Savior. That's good news! We all have hurts, and we need to know that God loves us enough to change us and/or our situation in life.
Comments that don't include a first and last name of the author will not be published.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Anonymous Comments
I won't be publishing any more comments posted by "Anonymous" or pseudonyms that don't reveal a person's true identity. I encourage all to comment, but your boldness shouldn't be concealed. Let's face it, if you're too ashamed to post something with your identity attached to it, it probably shouldn't be published.
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