About half of the 150 psalms are directly attributed to David. Psalm 145 is one of these. Verse 4 says that one generation will commend your works to another; they will tell of your mighty acts. Each generation has a responsibility to preach the gospel, to speak of Christ, and to express Him to the next. Almost six months ago my daughter gave birth to my first grandchild. I finally saw him for the first time yesterday. This is the reality of living 3,000 miles (5,000 kilometers) apart. He has a very different personality than she did as a baby. He is always active, wriggling and squirming around, rather lean. He shifts back and forth constantly between eating and sleeping. He has a funny toothless smile. May God give his parents wisdom to continue rearing him.
God has blessed me to stay with friends from the old days in this time. Bill & Ileana are part of a home based group. It is a relaxed, comfortable environment. Bill is a writer, and was able to take time for an early morning walk with me today. It is a rare treat for me to have anyone to do this with. We went up into the hills to see the glory of God's creation. At the top we had a grand vista.
Yesterday walked with my daughter at the beach. Got a bit of sunburn. Spoke about discipleship and going to the nations. I also brought up the idea of her and her husband adopting a child. When I thought about all the blessings that they planned to bestow on their first born it struck me how God might use them to bless a child whom no one wanted.
Thursday, April 11, 2013
Monday, April 8, 2013
Inclusive Jesus?
On Mondays God grants me the privilege and joy of mutual encouragement with two brothers, Sanford & Sandy. This morning we looked at a passage in John 6. In verse 51 Jesus begins to tell his listeners that they must eat His flesh. In verse 52 His auditors clearly understand Him to be talking about cannibalism, something abhorrent not only to the Jews, who were not to touch dead bodies, but to most societies in the history of the world. Jesus does not say that they are misunderstanding Him, but essentially throws it back at them still harder by saying, "Except you eat of the flesh of the son of Man, and drink His blood you have no life in you. He continues to hammer the point in verses 53 through 58.
It appears that three groups of people followed Jesus in contrast to those who opposed Him. There were the twelve chosen to be apostles, other disciples such as those sent out in Luke 10, and then the multitudes such as the five thousand plus who were fed. In John 6:60 many of the disciples began to doubt. The response of Jesus? "Does this offend you?" (v. 61) He does not try to cajole or sympathize or even explain Himself. Rather He asks what they would do if they saw Him ascend to heaven. And then He makes the socially incorrect statement that some of them don't believe. I suspect He hurt their feelings.
Verse sixty-six gives their response. Many went back and no longer walked with Him. Verse sixty clearly says that these were disciples. They had been following Jesus. He does not plead with them or pursue them or try to help them understand. He simply lets them go. Then He challenges the 12. Peter, the spokesman, says "We believe that you are Christ, the Son of the living God." (v. 69) All of the disciples heard Jesus teach, saw Him heal people and perform other miracles, saw Him feed thousands. Only a handful truly believed. The response of Jesus? "One of you is a devil." (v. 70) How would that go over in a Christian culture which places such a high value on harmonious relationships, and always being nice to one another? I think we would have a hard time with Jesus.
Thank God for the provision of the Holy Spirit without whom we could please God.
It appears that three groups of people followed Jesus in contrast to those who opposed Him. There were the twelve chosen to be apostles, other disciples such as those sent out in Luke 10, and then the multitudes such as the five thousand plus who were fed. In John 6:60 many of the disciples began to doubt. The response of Jesus? "Does this offend you?" (v. 61) He does not try to cajole or sympathize or even explain Himself. Rather He asks what they would do if they saw Him ascend to heaven. And then He makes the socially incorrect statement that some of them don't believe. I suspect He hurt their feelings.
Verse sixty-six gives their response. Many went back and no longer walked with Him. Verse sixty clearly says that these were disciples. They had been following Jesus. He does not plead with them or pursue them or try to help them understand. He simply lets them go. Then He challenges the 12. Peter, the spokesman, says "We believe that you are Christ, the Son of the living God." (v. 69) All of the disciples heard Jesus teach, saw Him heal people and perform other miracles, saw Him feed thousands. Only a handful truly believed. The response of Jesus? "One of you is a devil." (v. 70) How would that go over in a Christian culture which places such a high value on harmonious relationships, and always being nice to one another? I think we would have a hard time with Jesus.
Thank God for the provision of the Holy Spirit without whom we could please God.
Friday, April 5, 2013
Poland
In the last several months I have received a new and growing interest in Poland. As a life long history "nut', I have read four or five books about the country to augment my prior knowledge of its history. The twentieth century history is particularly agonizing. After the third partition of Poland in 1795, the entire country was divided up between the German, Russian, and Austrian empires until 1919 with the conclusion of the first World War, which left the country devastated. Independence and recovery during the next twenty years was brutally halted with the Nazi invasion of 1939. It is estimated that Poland lost 21%, more than one in five of its population during the war years. The city of Warsaw alone suffered more dead than the US & Britain combined. Three million Polish Jews and three million other Poles died in the concentration death camps. The Soviet domination of the next fifty years ravaged the country further. It is a testimony to the mercy of God that the Poles have survived.
Operation World, probably the best resource for what God is doing in the countries of the world, states that in a population of thirty-eight million, there are only about 95,000 evangelicals, and that the people following various cults is a far larger number. Finally, one of the features of this blog is that it tells me what countries the readers come from. To date, over the four years that I have posted, people from over fifty countries have logged in. The other day, for the first time, someone from Poland accessed the blog.
I'm not sure what all this is leading towards. I do know that God is speaking to me about going overseas and making disciples. May I seek Him diligently and follow Jesus.
Shortly after I posted this I received an invitation to go to a gathering in Poland in the fall, which, God willing, I hope to attend.
Operation World, probably the best resource for what God is doing in the countries of the world, states that in a population of thirty-eight million, there are only about 95,000 evangelicals, and that the people following various cults is a far larger number. Finally, one of the features of this blog is that it tells me what countries the readers come from. To date, over the four years that I have posted, people from over fifty countries have logged in. The other day, for the first time, someone from Poland accessed the blog.
I'm not sure what all this is leading towards. I do know that God is speaking to me about going overseas and making disciples. May I seek Him diligently and follow Jesus.
Shortly after I posted this I received an invitation to go to a gathering in Poland in the fall, which, God willing, I hope to attend.
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
Recent Experiences
"Oh, the depths of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!" (Romans 11:33a NIV) God continues to bless and encourage me this week. Sunday I had the privilege and joy of an invitation to a Brazilian church where I taught some aspects of the resurrection of Christ including its central place in the gospel message, the eye witness proofs that it did happen, the reality of human existence if it had not happened plus two applications. The first is the ample NT evidence that the apostles preached the resurrection in their presentation of the gospel. Do we? The second is the truth of the same resurrection power working within us to overcome sin (disobedience to God) in our lives. Monday morning He gave me time with two precious brothers who are receptive to the revelation of the Holy Spirit through the Word of God, men who are teachable, wanting to grow in the truth and love of God. Among other things we looked at the practical realities of Matthew 9:37-38 where Jesus speaks about praying for laborers to send into the abundant harvest.
Yesterday had deep fellowship around the Word of God as revealed by the Holy Spirit with two other brothers. Mike and Mark are in their fifties, regenerated several years ago, eager to be "rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith..." (Colossians 2:7a NKJV) We had over five hours of solid fellowship in the truth. "Sanctify them by your truth, your word is truth." (John 17:17) We looked at many themes including the ministry of angels, assurance of salvation, free will and God's election. Why does it seem so miraculous to encounter American Christians who actually want to learn and walk out their faith?
Last night I met a brother named Duane for the first time. What an honor to have fellowship with a faithful man, who has persevered with God through the ups and downs of life. He is diligent, self-disciplined, eager to encourage and help people in any way that he can. He ministers particularly in the areas of marriage and personal finance, and has seen good fruit in both.
Finally I received an encouraging e-mail from my mentor Vinci. I continue to study Portuguese, and hope by the time I see him again to communicate more clearly in actual sentences rather than broken fragments.
Yesterday had deep fellowship around the Word of God as revealed by the Holy Spirit with two other brothers. Mike and Mark are in their fifties, regenerated several years ago, eager to be "rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith..." (Colossians 2:7a NKJV) We had over five hours of solid fellowship in the truth. "Sanctify them by your truth, your word is truth." (John 17:17) We looked at many themes including the ministry of angels, assurance of salvation, free will and God's election. Why does it seem so miraculous to encounter American Christians who actually want to learn and walk out their faith?
Last night I met a brother named Duane for the first time. What an honor to have fellowship with a faithful man, who has persevered with God through the ups and downs of life. He is diligent, self-disciplined, eager to encourage and help people in any way that he can. He ministers particularly in the areas of marriage and personal finance, and has seen good fruit in both.
Finally I received an encouraging e-mail from my mentor Vinci. I continue to study Portuguese, and hope by the time I see him again to communicate more clearly in actual sentences rather than broken fragments.
Thursday, March 28, 2013
God's Supreme Revelation
The desire of God to reveal Himself to humanity takes many forms. One is His creation. "For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities- his eternal power and divine nature- have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse." (Romans 1:20) Another is the person of Jesus- God made flesh. (1 John 1: 1-4). God also works through dreams and visions and prophecy. "In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophecy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams." (Acts 2:17 NIV)
But I submit to my readers that the supreme revelation of God in this age is His Word, the Bible. Note that the supporting evidence that was given for each of the assertions in the first paragraph came from the Scripture. I know that God created the world because of Genesis 1:1. "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." I know that Jesus is God because His Word attests to this. (John 1:1, 14,18/ Romans 9:5, John 10:30, John 5:18, 2 Peter 1:1 et. al). My understanding of visions, dreams and prophecy come from the Scriptural witness. (1 Corinthians 12, 14 etc.)
Jesus says that the entire creation (heaven and earth) will pass away but His words will never pass away. (Mark 13:31) Peter, referring to seeing Jesus transfigured on the mountain (Matthew 17:1-13 cf. Mark 9:2-13) says that he has a more sure word of prophecy than what he saw with his own eyes. (2 Peter 1:16-21) And the prophecy he refers to is the Scripture. Hebrews 4:12 refers to the word of God as able to divide between soul and spirit, and to judge the thoughts and intents of the heart. Ordinary words and books cannot do this. The Bible is uniquely inspired ( breathed out) by God. ( 2 Timothy 3:16) And this is not theoretical.
We must reflect and ask for the Holy Spirit to reveal the Word to us. Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit would teach us all things (John 14:26), and lead us into all truth. ( John 16:13) Now many believe that they follow the leading of the Holy Spirit. Yes, Amen. Let us consider that the Holy Spirit does not contradict Himself. He does not say one thing in the Bible that He divinely inspired, and something completely different to you or me. Others maintain that the Lord told them to do this or that. Let us note again the incredibly close identification between Jesus and the Word of God. "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." (John 1:1 cf. vv. 14, 18) Jesus does not contradict Himself either. He does not say one thing in His Word, and something different to you or me.
But I submit to my readers that the supreme revelation of God in this age is His Word, the Bible. Note that the supporting evidence that was given for each of the assertions in the first paragraph came from the Scripture. I know that God created the world because of Genesis 1:1. "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." I know that Jesus is God because His Word attests to this. (John 1:1, 14,18/ Romans 9:5, John 10:30, John 5:18, 2 Peter 1:1 et. al). My understanding of visions, dreams and prophecy come from the Scriptural witness. (1 Corinthians 12, 14 etc.)
Jesus says that the entire creation (heaven and earth) will pass away but His words will never pass away. (Mark 13:31) Peter, referring to seeing Jesus transfigured on the mountain (Matthew 17:1-13 cf. Mark 9:2-13) says that he has a more sure word of prophecy than what he saw with his own eyes. (2 Peter 1:16-21) And the prophecy he refers to is the Scripture. Hebrews 4:12 refers to the word of God as able to divide between soul and spirit, and to judge the thoughts and intents of the heart. Ordinary words and books cannot do this. The Bible is uniquely inspired ( breathed out) by God. ( 2 Timothy 3:16) And this is not theoretical.
We must reflect and ask for the Holy Spirit to reveal the Word to us. Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit would teach us all things (John 14:26), and lead us into all truth. ( John 16:13) Now many believe that they follow the leading of the Holy Spirit. Yes, Amen. Let us consider that the Holy Spirit does not contradict Himself. He does not say one thing in the Bible that He divinely inspired, and something completely different to you or me. Others maintain that the Lord told them to do this or that. Let us note again the incredibly close identification between Jesus and the Word of God. "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." (John 1:1 cf. vv. 14, 18) Jesus does not contradict Himself either. He does not say one thing in His Word, and something different to you or me.
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
Luke 6
As I reflect on discipleship, and learning to obey the commands of Jesus, the first place I am drawn to is the Sermon on the Mount. Matthew's gospel gives us a long version in chapters 5,6 and 7 while Luke offers a condensed view in chapter six. In verse 17 Luke writes of the large numbers of people who heard Jesus. The Lord gives a stunning contrast to our normal thinking. He says blessed are the poor, the hungry, the weeping, the hated, excluded, and rejected. Woe to the rich, the well fed, the happy, and the well spoken of. We (I) look at the poor, hungry, mourning etc. as objects of compassion at best, not as blessed. We work hard to be rich, well fed, happy and spoken well of. What are we missing here in the words of Jesus? It seems heavily ironic that impoverished, illiterate people that live in villages without electricity, potable water, health care etc. are coming to Jesus while affluent, educated people with everything they need (although always desiring more) deny Him.
Starting in verse 27, Jesus commands His disciples to love their enemies, bless them, give to them, lend without expecting repayment. We are not to condemn and to give with the measure we would hope for in return. We are to look at ourselves and address our issues before presuming to think we can correct others. Jesus says that what we speak reflect what is in our hearts. Then he asks a penetrating question. "Why do you call me, Lord, Lord, and do not do what I say?" (Luke 6:46 NIV) Lord is not just a title like mayor or governor, but a enduring truth and reality. Every knee will bow, and every tongue confess that Jesus is Lord. ( Isaiah 45:23, Philippians 2:9-11 NIV) We cannot call Him Lord if we don't do what He says.
Finally Jesus gives the often misunderstood example of the house builders. Building one's house on the rock or on the sand is the illustration, NOT the principle. The principle is to hear the words of Jesus and put them into practice, the definition of discipleship.
Father, may we call out to you to enable us to follow Jesus.
Starting in verse 27, Jesus commands His disciples to love their enemies, bless them, give to them, lend without expecting repayment. We are not to condemn and to give with the measure we would hope for in return. We are to look at ourselves and address our issues before presuming to think we can correct others. Jesus says that what we speak reflect what is in our hearts. Then he asks a penetrating question. "Why do you call me, Lord, Lord, and do not do what I say?" (Luke 6:46 NIV) Lord is not just a title like mayor or governor, but a enduring truth and reality. Every knee will bow, and every tongue confess that Jesus is Lord. ( Isaiah 45:23, Philippians 2:9-11 NIV) We cannot call Him Lord if we don't do what He says.
Finally Jesus gives the often misunderstood example of the house builders. Building one's house on the rock or on the sand is the illustration, NOT the principle. The principle is to hear the words of Jesus and put them into practice, the definition of discipleship.
Father, may we call out to you to enable us to follow Jesus.
Monday, March 25, 2013
Matthew 28:16-20
As I am trying to follow Jesus, He is repeatedly and forcibly sending me back to Matthew 28:16-20. He tells the disciples to meet Him on the mountain in Galilee. They travel from Jerusalem, the place of his betrayal, arrest, torture, crucifying, and resurrection northwards. They know that He died yet they see Him alive. They worship but some doubt. How human they are. Jesus speaks to them. What we have recorded is a very short but very strong message. Jesus has received ALL authority in heaven and earth. This is the basis and foundation of what He then tells them, and us, to do. GO! Make Disciples! Baptize them! Teach them to OBEY everything He has commanded.
So don't sit around waiting for something to happen. Go.
Make disciples. This is action, purpose, intentionality. It means that those who are disciples are to make others.
Baptize them. Unregenerated, unsaved, unconverted people cannot be disciples. Baptism is the first act of obedience.
Teach them everything. Don't expect people to learn by osmosis. If someone had personally discipled me, and I had been willing to receive it, I would have been spared decades of pain and suffering. As humans we tend to learn things the hard way through prolonged, painful personal experience. Be humble and teachable so God can use you to give to others.
Obey. This is the ultimate test of whether we are truly a follower of Jesus Christ. Are we willing to learn the commands of Jesus and obey them? This seems like an impossible standard to follow. As with things like husbands loving their wives like Christ loves the church (Ephesians 5:25) how can anyone do this? The promise lies in the last sentence of Matthew 28. "And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." (NIV) Only through the immediate and ongoing help, grace, and strength of Christ is it possible to be a true disciple of His.
So don't sit around waiting for something to happen. Go.
Make disciples. This is action, purpose, intentionality. It means that those who are disciples are to make others.
Baptize them. Unregenerated, unsaved, unconverted people cannot be disciples. Baptism is the first act of obedience.
Teach them everything. Don't expect people to learn by osmosis. If someone had personally discipled me, and I had been willing to receive it, I would have been spared decades of pain and suffering. As humans we tend to learn things the hard way through prolonged, painful personal experience. Be humble and teachable so God can use you to give to others.
Obey. This is the ultimate test of whether we are truly a follower of Jesus Christ. Are we willing to learn the commands of Jesus and obey them? This seems like an impossible standard to follow. As with things like husbands loving their wives like Christ loves the church (Ephesians 5:25) how can anyone do this? The promise lies in the last sentence of Matthew 28. "And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." (NIV) Only through the immediate and ongoing help, grace, and strength of Christ is it possible to be a true disciple of His.
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