The first chapter of Luke tells the stories of two appearances made by the angel Gabriel. The first was to a priest named Zacharias, who would become the father of John the Baptist. The second was to Mary, who would become the mother of Jesus the Christ. I don’t know how excited an angel ever gets, but I might expect that this one would be about as excited as ever, delivering the news from God the Father that the arrival of God the Son was about to happen on earth.
If there was an angel delivering some of the greatest news in history, I might also expect that angel to think the news would stir immediate joy in those who heard it first. Gabriel told Zacharias that his prayers had been heard, and the answer to those prayers was the on the way. Zacharias responded by asking why he should believe the angel. Zacharias asked what could only be an insulting question when addressed to Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God and carries His message. He was praying for a child, and yet when he heard that he would have one, he did not accept it. We can be like that: praying with our minds, while our hearts gradually close off to the very thing we say we are asking for. Zacharias got caught in that position, and even with Gabriel standing there fresh from the presence of God, he was in a settled position of unbelief.
Gabriel might have been a little let down. In response to the continuous prayers of a priest and his wife, God said they would have what they asked for, and even more. God said their child was to be someone great in the kingdom and plan of God. The news was fantastic, and Gabriel showed up to deliver it. He might have expected that Zacharias would be overjoyed, and would have shown his gladness and gratefulness. Instead, he showed doubt.
Six months later, Gabriel came to Mary and delivered similar but even greater news. She would have a son, and this One would be the greatest ever to be born. The coming of this child had been predicted by prophets for hundreds of years, and the predictions were about to come true. This would be God in flesh, the Christ, prophet, priest and king!
Mary’s response? Picture this tentative teen as she raised her hand and said “Excuse me. I have a question. Exactly how will this happen?” She did not respond with doubt, but the situation that the angel described created quite a few uncertainties in her mind regarding the mechanics of her future. Was this going to happen after she was married, in a natural way, or was this to be something else?
We can certainly understand the questions, but at the same time we should not be surprised if maybe Gabriel anticipated a bit more excitement here. He had just announced the greatest news possible: the arrival of God in flesh, to take away the sin of the world, establish His kingdom and rule forever! Somebody should have started jumping for joy, dancing because they just could not contain themselves. Instead, there were questions.
After the announcements were made, Mary went to visit Elizabeth, because the angel had said she was also expecting. As soon as Mary greeted Elizabeth, guess what happened. The baby in her jumped for joy. Why was he the one to respond with uncontained joy? Maybe it was because he was filled by the Holy Spirit. He did not yet know enough to put a sentence together, but because of the Holy Spirit, he was the one who responded properly to what the Almighty was doing.
Live with joy. Live filled with the Spirit. The greatest possible circumstances or answers to life-long prayers can not guarantee joy. That is a gift of the Holy Spirit of God. Live filled with the Spirit, and live with joy.
Saturday, December 24, 2011
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Wholly Devoted
Start
If we are believers, Christ followers, the twice-born, then a major goal for all of us is that we love God with all we are. That is the first and foremost commandment. Mt. 22:37, Mk 12:30 refer to Dt. 6:4-5. They don’t use exactly the same words. Sometimes we are not very careful with these words, so we should start with an understanding of what it means to say love God with all we are.
Self
1 Thessalonians 5:23
“Sanctify you completely” implies that your spirit, soul and body are preserved blameless. Sounds like those are the parts. What is the difference between your spirit and your soul. Where does your mind fit in?
Body – what you see is what you get. It allows us to live and interact in this physical world. Soul – inside and invisible but not imaginary. Mind, will and emotions, which you can observe in the internal conflict resulting from tough decisions. Spirit – what is left? Where we communicate with God, and where our conscience appears. It overrules the soul.
Spirit
John 4:20-24
Jesus talked about interaction with God in terms of the spirit and truth. We have to be accurate, and our spirits must be engaged. The point in space-time is not the issue. The style of music is not the issue. We must interact with God at the deepest level, the level of our spirit. It is based on truth. It is personal and it is authentic. It is an honest relationship.
Soul
1 Corinthians 2
The wisdom Paul came in with was intentionally not the usual. He wanted faith to stand on God’s power, not human wisdom. Even so, there is a superhuman wisdom contained in it. We receive it from the Spirit of God. He communicates it to our minds through our spirits. The result is that we can know things that are beyond us, and even have the mind of Christ.
Then we should not live as other people live. There will be times when God steps in and shows us things we would otherwise not know. That should alter our course. Following His lead in this way is part of how we love God with our soul.
Shell
Romans 12:1-3
This follows up on what Paul said in Romans 6:12-14. Give God your body for His use. Serving with your body is part of worship, part of loving God with all you are. Don’t follow the trend of the world. Understand your place in the Body of Christ.
Steps
Where should I start then, to love God with all I am? What steps can I take to make that really be the way I live?
If we are believers, Christ followers, the twice-born, then a major goal for all of us is that we love God with all we are. That is the first and foremost commandment. Mt. 22:37, Mk 12:30 refer to Dt. 6:4-5. They don’t use exactly the same words. Sometimes we are not very careful with these words, so we should start with an understanding of what it means to say love God with all we are.
Self
1 Thessalonians 5:23
“Sanctify you completely” implies that your spirit, soul and body are preserved blameless. Sounds like those are the parts. What is the difference between your spirit and your soul. Where does your mind fit in?
Body – what you see is what you get. It allows us to live and interact in this physical world. Soul – inside and invisible but not imaginary. Mind, will and emotions, which you can observe in the internal conflict resulting from tough decisions. Spirit – what is left? Where we communicate with God, and where our conscience appears. It overrules the soul.
Spirit
John 4:20-24
Jesus talked about interaction with God in terms of the spirit and truth. We have to be accurate, and our spirits must be engaged. The point in space-time is not the issue. The style of music is not the issue. We must interact with God at the deepest level, the level of our spirit. It is based on truth. It is personal and it is authentic. It is an honest relationship.
Soul
1 Corinthians 2
The wisdom Paul came in with was intentionally not the usual. He wanted faith to stand on God’s power, not human wisdom. Even so, there is a superhuman wisdom contained in it. We receive it from the Spirit of God. He communicates it to our minds through our spirits. The result is that we can know things that are beyond us, and even have the mind of Christ.
Then we should not live as other people live. There will be times when God steps in and shows us things we would otherwise not know. That should alter our course. Following His lead in this way is part of how we love God with our soul.
Shell
Romans 12:1-3
This follows up on what Paul said in Romans 6:12-14. Give God your body for His use. Serving with your body is part of worship, part of loving God with all you are. Don’t follow the trend of the world. Understand your place in the Body of Christ.
Steps
Where should I start then, to love God with all I am? What steps can I take to make that really be the way I live?
Saturday, August 20, 2011
Big Picture
Point of view
So much of the time, when we see the situation from someone else’s shoes, everything changes. What if that is true about how we live our lives? The things we consider to be of prime importance might not be as significant as we think.
Exertion
Philippians 3:1-7
Self
As this section of the book begins, Paul warns people not to fall for the story that we have to be good Jews before we can be saved. Paul lists things that would have given him standing if that were true, and says all those things were just in the way. They hurt instead of helping. They were all focused on self and personal effort. That is not what salvation comes from. How many people today would say that it does?
Exchange
Philippians 3:8-11
Surrender
Instead of salvation coming from personal effort, it comes from what Jesus did. We have to give up on our accomplishment, and surrender to His. Everything else is worth less than nothing, if it keeps us from the salvation that God has provided. Get rid of whatever stands in the way, because He is worth more.
Exercise
Philippians 3:12-16
Success
Paul does not claim to have reached perfection or all that God has for him. He makes it his goal to continue pressing toward all that, and invites us to do the same. Don’t let whatever is in your past keep you from moving into a great future. Pressing on is success.
Exit
Philippians 3:17-21
Subject
Here everything is put in the context of an eternal future. We are reminded that this is temporary and not where our focus should be. Those who continue to live for here and now might be saved, but still end up as enemies of the cross. Don’t let your life communicate that eternal things are less important that what is here. We are part of an eternal kingdom, subjects of the eternal King.
So much of the time, when we see the situation from someone else’s shoes, everything changes. What if that is true about how we live our lives? The things we consider to be of prime importance might not be as significant as we think.
Exertion
Philippians 3:1-7
Self
As this section of the book begins, Paul warns people not to fall for the story that we have to be good Jews before we can be saved. Paul lists things that would have given him standing if that were true, and says all those things were just in the way. They hurt instead of helping. They were all focused on self and personal effort. That is not what salvation comes from. How many people today would say that it does?
Exchange
Philippians 3:8-11
Surrender
Instead of salvation coming from personal effort, it comes from what Jesus did. We have to give up on our accomplishment, and surrender to His. Everything else is worth less than nothing, if it keeps us from the salvation that God has provided. Get rid of whatever stands in the way, because He is worth more.
Exercise
Philippians 3:12-16
Success
Paul does not claim to have reached perfection or all that God has for him. He makes it his goal to continue pressing toward all that, and invites us to do the same. Don’t let whatever is in your past keep you from moving into a great future. Pressing on is success.
Exit
Philippians 3:17-21
Subject
Here everything is put in the context of an eternal future. We are reminded that this is temporary and not where our focus should be. Those who continue to live for here and now might be saved, but still end up as enemies of the cross. Don’t let your life communicate that eternal things are less important that what is here. We are part of an eternal kingdom, subjects of the eternal King.
Friday, August 12, 2011
Living Purposefully
30 lives lost
Helicopter downed over Afghanistan. Lives cut short are tragic. Lives lived out but misdirected are also tragic.
Who am I?
Matthew 16:13-19
Identity
Some say these verses refer to a line of authority for the church, starting from Peter. What Peter had done was learn about Jesus via the revelation of God, and accept that as truth. That was the corner stone.
Peter did not come up with it himself or by human means. It came from God. That inerrant source is where we need to get our most important information.
Notice that not only did Peter identify Jesus, but Jesus also identified Peter. “You are Peter”. God knows who we are thoroughly, and can name us appropriately. If we are going to live the right purpose, we need to learn that from God, who made us.
Where am I going?
Matthew 16:20-23
Instruction
After praising Peter for listening to God, Jesus accuses him of listening to satan. Peter put a stumbling block in the way, by being humanly minded instead of godly minded. It does not make sense humanly for the living God to die. In God’s plan, it was a crucial thing, and had good in it. Sometimes our blessings come wrapped in some harsh circumstances. Even our death is such a thing. Don’t turn away from what God plans
What am I to do?
Matthew 16:24-28
Implications
Not only will Jesus go to the cross, but he says that if we are to follow him, we had better get ready to do the same. We need to lay down our version of life in favor of his.
Jesus puts all this in the context of future judgment. Imagine that you accomplished everything on your list according to your version of life, and then found out that there was another list made for you, and you missed everything on it. What good is your list at that point?
“Being successful and fulfilling your life’s purpose are not at all the same issue.” R. Warren
Helicopter downed over Afghanistan. Lives cut short are tragic. Lives lived out but misdirected are also tragic.
Who am I?
Matthew 16:13-19
Identity
Some say these verses refer to a line of authority for the church, starting from Peter. What Peter had done was learn about Jesus via the revelation of God, and accept that as truth. That was the corner stone.
Peter did not come up with it himself or by human means. It came from God. That inerrant source is where we need to get our most important information.
Notice that not only did Peter identify Jesus, but Jesus also identified Peter. “You are Peter”. God knows who we are thoroughly, and can name us appropriately. If we are going to live the right purpose, we need to learn that from God, who made us.
Where am I going?
Matthew 16:20-23
Instruction
After praising Peter for listening to God, Jesus accuses him of listening to satan. Peter put a stumbling block in the way, by being humanly minded instead of godly minded. It does not make sense humanly for the living God to die. In God’s plan, it was a crucial thing, and had good in it. Sometimes our blessings come wrapped in some harsh circumstances. Even our death is such a thing. Don’t turn away from what God plans
What am I to do?
Matthew 16:24-28
Implications
Not only will Jesus go to the cross, but he says that if we are to follow him, we had better get ready to do the same. We need to lay down our version of life in favor of his.
Jesus puts all this in the context of future judgment. Imagine that you accomplished everything on your list according to your version of life, and then found out that there was another list made for you, and you missed everything on it. What good is your list at that point?
“Being successful and fulfilling your life’s purpose are not at all the same issue.” R. Warren
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Athens
Iterations
To find answers to complicated calculations, sometimes people use trial and error. Try something and see how close you get. Then adjust up or down until you zero in on the right answer. Paul did the same thing whenever he went to a new place. Maybe there should be a little adjustment here.
Introduction
Acts 17:15-21
Pressed preacher
After starting with Jews in the synagogue, in a long string of towns, Paul adds in the market place, where everyone goes. Gentile philosophers ask him to come and talk with them. Athens is the cultural and intellectual capital of the day, and the Areopagus is the center of that capital. So far, so good.
Note that Paul was not able to just keep quiet. I can, all too easily. Maybe that is because I am not in the market place enough. We insulated in our Christian bubbles, and lose touch with the lostness of the world.
Idols
Acts 17:22-25
Inherent ignorance
He called them religious, and ignorant, not intelligent like they might have expected or thought about themselves. They worshipped, and people pretty much always do. We would benefit from finding the parts of their culture that give us ways in.
Paul said they had missed a god, and it was the God who created everything. He is not human dependent at all. Time to re-think what you think about God.
Identity
Acts 17:26-34
Apparent attributes
God is somebody, not something. We are placed by God at specific places and times, to seek Him.
What about people who do not hear about Jesus? How can that be fair? We can think of possible ways, like God’s placement being determined by knowledge of what kind of responses we will have. Or it may be that God responds to our responses, bringing more light if we respond to what we have. Those are possibilities, and they might play a role, but the point is that if I can think of possibilities, God can think of more, and He can make something work fairly.
Whatever the mechanics of that, we are not in an ignorant position any more. God requires that we repent.
In or Out
2 Cor. 5:17
Paul often described being a Christian as being in Christ. Because we are in Christ, what happened to Him applies to us. His death paid for our sin, and killed our old man. His resurrection shows He is God, and gives us eternal life. You are either in Christ, and therefore redeemed, or not.
To find answers to complicated calculations, sometimes people use trial and error. Try something and see how close you get. Then adjust up or down until you zero in on the right answer. Paul did the same thing whenever he went to a new place. Maybe there should be a little adjustment here.
Introduction
Acts 17:15-21
Pressed preacher
After starting with Jews in the synagogue, in a long string of towns, Paul adds in the market place, where everyone goes. Gentile philosophers ask him to come and talk with them. Athens is the cultural and intellectual capital of the day, and the Areopagus is the center of that capital. So far, so good.
Note that Paul was not able to just keep quiet. I can, all too easily. Maybe that is because I am not in the market place enough. We insulated in our Christian bubbles, and lose touch with the lostness of the world.
Idols
Acts 17:22-25
Inherent ignorance
He called them religious, and ignorant, not intelligent like they might have expected or thought about themselves. They worshipped, and people pretty much always do. We would benefit from finding the parts of their culture that give us ways in.
Paul said they had missed a god, and it was the God who created everything. He is not human dependent at all. Time to re-think what you think about God.
Identity
Acts 17:26-34
Apparent attributes
God is somebody, not something. We are placed by God at specific places and times, to seek Him.
What about people who do not hear about Jesus? How can that be fair? We can think of possible ways, like God’s placement being determined by knowledge of what kind of responses we will have. Or it may be that God responds to our responses, bringing more light if we respond to what we have. Those are possibilities, and they might play a role, but the point is that if I can think of possibilities, God can think of more, and He can make something work fairly.
Whatever the mechanics of that, we are not in an ignorant position any more. God requires that we repent.
In or Out
2 Cor. 5:17
Paul often described being a Christian as being in Christ. Because we are in Christ, what happened to Him applies to us. His death paid for our sin, and killed our old man. His resurrection shows He is God, and gives us eternal life. You are either in Christ, and therefore redeemed, or not.
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
More of the Same
Iconium
When they went to the next town, they used the same procedure, and got the same results. More of the same – including stoning this time. Some things you don't really want to take up a notch. Sometimes the same procedure does not bring the same result.
Lystra
Acts 14:7-20
Compare & contrast
The same kind of miracle took place in Acts 3. The result there was mixed. There was some hostility, but also the number of saved people in Jerusalem increasing dramatically (Acts 4:4). In both cases the people perceived that something superhuman had happened, and they called it a God thing. The difference came in what the word god meant to them. In Jerusalem that is Jehovah God. In Lystra the different culture prompted a different correlation and response. We need to know the culture we address.
Leaving
Acts 14:21-28
Encouragement & elders
It is impressive that in such a short time the apostles established churches, appointing elders in each location, and left them ready to be churches on their own. How did they determine who would be called elders, when every believer there had only been saved a short time? They followed the leadership of the Holy Spirit, and trusted Him. In our church outreach efforts, we need to set up viable, sustainable work wherever we go.
Learning
Acts 15:1-6, 11-13, 19-21
Customs & conflict
Circumcision and the Law of Moses became a point of contention as the church moved outside Jerusalem. Custom in Jerusalem meant that the people of that church were from a background where that was in place and not an issue. In Antioch and other Gentile locations it was not practiced and could not be assumed. Was that important? The question was taken up in a council in Jerusalem. The result was a letter sent from the apostles and elders to say that keeping the Law was not part of salvation, but there were some things recommended, because of the common presence of synagogues and the awareness of the Law all over the region. Even though it was not all essential, it was practical.
Intent
We need to be willing to go with some things that are not essential if it prevents trouble. Otherwise, our intentions will be suspect, and our effectiveness will be limited. It is subject to the culture we find ourselves in, and its difference from ours.
When they went to the next town, they used the same procedure, and got the same results. More of the same – including stoning this time. Some things you don't really want to take up a notch. Sometimes the same procedure does not bring the same result.
Lystra
Acts 14:7-20
Compare & contrast
The same kind of miracle took place in Acts 3. The result there was mixed. There was some hostility, but also the number of saved people in Jerusalem increasing dramatically (Acts 4:4). In both cases the people perceived that something superhuman had happened, and they called it a God thing. The difference came in what the word god meant to them. In Jerusalem that is Jehovah God. In Lystra the different culture prompted a different correlation and response. We need to know the culture we address.
Leaving
Acts 14:21-28
Encouragement & elders
It is impressive that in such a short time the apostles established churches, appointing elders in each location, and left them ready to be churches on their own. How did they determine who would be called elders, when every believer there had only been saved a short time? They followed the leadership of the Holy Spirit, and trusted Him. In our church outreach efforts, we need to set up viable, sustainable work wherever we go.
Learning
Acts 15:1-6, 11-13, 19-21
Customs & conflict
Circumcision and the Law of Moses became a point of contention as the church moved outside Jerusalem. Custom in Jerusalem meant that the people of that church were from a background where that was in place and not an issue. In Antioch and other Gentile locations it was not practiced and could not be assumed. Was that important? The question was taken up in a council in Jerusalem. The result was a letter sent from the apostles and elders to say that keeping the Law was not part of salvation, but there were some things recommended, because of the common presence of synagogues and the awareness of the Law all over the region. Even though it was not all essential, it was practical.
Intent
We need to be willing to go with some things that are not essential if it prevents trouble. Otherwise, our intentions will be suspect, and our effectiveness will be limited. It is subject to the culture we find ourselves in, and its difference from ours.
Aside: who are the apostles mentioned in Acts 14:14? Hmmmm.
Friday, May 20, 2011
Set Apart
Graduation
It is the time of the year when people are finishing one part of their life and preparing to start whatever comes next. Saul is about to become the Paul we all know.
Returns
Acts 12:25 -13:13
Sent, successful
Barnabas and Saul were set apart and sent out, without a full itinerary or job description. They went to Cyprus, where Barnabas came from. It is there that things change from “Barnabas and Saul”, to “Paul and his companions”. Barnabas was the more prominent until then, but he was the kind of guy willing to invest in someone, and willing to see them do well.
BtW, Paul did not decide to blind the sorcerer, but declared that the hand of God was on him and therefore he would be blind. He said what he saw.
Rehearsal
Acts 13:14-23
Divine doings
Paul speaks and re-tells the story of the Israel. It is not just the story of things that happened, but the story of what God did. God chose, delivered, destroyed, distributed, gave… It is all about Him. Maybe we should see our lives that way.
Remission
Acts 13:26, 29-32, 38-39
Promise preached
The message leads up to David being the king, and the prophet who predicted that Jesus would not be left in the grave. It is the same point made by Peter in Acts 2. Unlike when Peter preached in Acts 10, when Paul says that forgiveness is available because of Jesus, there is no immediate response. The Holy Spirit does not fall. Paul warns the hearers not to miss the salvation promised by the prophets, as the prophets predicted many would.
Reception
Acts 13:42-52
Mixed multitude
Paul and Barnabas ended up leaving the town, shaking the dust off their clothes. Even so, notice the joy mentioned. The believers who were left behind had joy, because they had Jesus. Even Paul and Barnabas could have joy as they left, because they had been faithful to their calling.
Graduations
Paul and Barnabas moved from one place to another and from one stage to another. That happens a lot. Don’t think of one of them as The One that your whole life revolves around. There are many graduations in life before all is said and done. The time you are in now is not just preparation for something else. It is life, here and now. And there is more to come.
It is the time of the year when people are finishing one part of their life and preparing to start whatever comes next. Saul is about to become the Paul we all know.
Returns
Acts 12:25 -13:13
Sent, successful
Barnabas and Saul were set apart and sent out, without a full itinerary or job description. They went to Cyprus, where Barnabas came from. It is there that things change from “Barnabas and Saul”, to “Paul and his companions”. Barnabas was the more prominent until then, but he was the kind of guy willing to invest in someone, and willing to see them do well.
BtW, Paul did not decide to blind the sorcerer, but declared that the hand of God was on him and therefore he would be blind. He said what he saw.
Rehearsal
Acts 13:14-23
Divine doings
Paul speaks and re-tells the story of the Israel. It is not just the story of things that happened, but the story of what God did. God chose, delivered, destroyed, distributed, gave… It is all about Him. Maybe we should see our lives that way.
Remission
Acts 13:26, 29-32, 38-39
Promise preached
The message leads up to David being the king, and the prophet who predicted that Jesus would not be left in the grave. It is the same point made by Peter in Acts 2. Unlike when Peter preached in Acts 10, when Paul says that forgiveness is available because of Jesus, there is no immediate response. The Holy Spirit does not fall. Paul warns the hearers not to miss the salvation promised by the prophets, as the prophets predicted many would.
Reception
Acts 13:42-52
Mixed multitude
Paul and Barnabas ended up leaving the town, shaking the dust off their clothes. Even so, notice the joy mentioned. The believers who were left behind had joy, because they had Jesus. Even Paul and Barnabas could have joy as they left, because they had been faithful to their calling.
Graduations
Paul and Barnabas moved from one place to another and from one stage to another. That happens a lot. Don’t think of one of them as The One that your whole life revolves around. There are many graduations in life before all is said and done. The time you are in now is not just preparation for something else. It is life, here and now. And there is more to come.
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