As most of you know I send out a weekly "Be Encouraged" email on Monday mornings. This week I sent out a quote by R.C. Sproul that spoke about the hope we have in Christ Jesus.
"Hope is called the anchor of the soul, because it gives stability to the Christian life. But hope is not simply a “wish” (I wish that such-and-such would take place); rather, it is that which latches on to the certainty of the promises of the future that God has made."
As I sat and thought about the reality of the hope we have in Christ I was richly encouraged. In a world that promotes wishful thinking and dreaming, hoping, and fantasy land realities, certainty is not a commonality. The world is changing, cultures are changing, people are changing, circumstances are changing, you as an individual are changing. Hope is something the soul longs for, desires deep within, and looks to find...for the Christian TRUE HOPE is right at our fingertips. We have all the riches of a blessed, SURE hope in Jesus Christ.
Hebrews 6:17-20 reads, "Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, he confirmed it with an oath. God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope offered to us may be greatly encouraged. We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where Jesus, who went before us, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.."
I love this passage in Hebrews because it reveals one of the most amazing attributes of our amazing God, the reality that He is UNCHANGING. He is the same yesterday, today and forevermore. What He promises, He fulfills, to the end. The work that He began in you as His child, He will complete. The plan of redemption He wrote from before the foundation of time, He will accomplish. And victory will fully be revealed in the end as Satan is cast into the pit and Jesus rightfully receives all glory and honor and praise.
We have a hope that should be, as the writer of Hebrews says, an ANCHOR for the soul. Think about an anchor, its purpose, the fact that it is used to hold a mighty ship in one spot, not to be moved by anything. That is what our hope should do, keep is steadfast and immovable in Him. Our hope is secure, when He called us to Himself we were sealed with the Holy Spirit and are His FOREVER. And Jesus bought us with a price, the most precious price of all, His own life so that He can intercede on our behalf before the Father in heaven. And because of that we have an eternal future, a promise of life forever with the God of the universe, in perfection, what joy that should bring us!
This hope is SURE, GUARANTEED, PROMISED, PERFECT; and that should give us assurance, stability and the strength to live the lives we are called to live. Knowing these things should motivate us to holiness and godliness. The hope we have should enable us to get up in the morning even when the world around us is crashing down or changing in ways we don't like, even when our circumstances might not be in our fleshly favor, even when we don't know what the day holds, because we have a most certain hope, it is SECURE!
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Butterfly, Botanist or a Bee?
I have shared this story with children and thought you would find it encouraging as well. Are you a DOER of the Word, obedient to walking worthy of the calling and passionately in love with Him too?
The Butterfly, the Botanist, and the Bee
by H.P. Barker
Contemplating life, a wise teacher gazed at a beautiful garden.
As he breathed in the wonderful fragrances and beheld the beauty of the garden, he saw a butterfly flitting from flower to flower. It spent a few seconds on the edge of a rose, then a daisy, and then a sunflower. The garden was a rainbow of fragrance and color, but the butterfly gained no particular benefit from any of the flowers there.
Next the teacher saw a botanist with a large notebook and an equally large magnifying glass in his hand. As the botanist carefully observed each flower, he filled a great number of pages with his notes. But after hours of meticulous study, most of what he learned was shut up in his notebook and forgotten.
Then the wise teacher observed a small bee. The bee enthusiastically entered a flower, was gone from view for a brief moment, and then emerged laden with pollen. It had left the hive that morning empty, but would return full, and in doing so would share his abundance. With that pollen, sweet honey would be made to sustain, not only himself, but the entire hive for the future.
The wise teacher pondered.
Some people are like butterflies, going from teacher to teacher, seminar to seminar, book to book. They are so very busy, and expend so much energy, but have little to show for their efforts. They remain unchanged in any significant way because they never really delve into things wholeheartedly. They're content to simply flutter around the edges.
Others, like the botanist, may study in great depth but never apply what is learnt to their lives. Content to study, they know much, but receive little benefit. Striving for knowledge alone, they are unaffected by the knowledge they gain.
Our lives would be very different if we could only learn from the bee -- visiting each flower with purpose and passion. To whole-heartedly dive in -- to lose ourselves, to go into every opportunity with an open mind, determined to emerge fuller than when we began, to do more than simply flutter, to do more that simply take notes, but to take action. To joyfully give of our abundance so that others can make something sweeter, something that will sustain not only ourselves, but bless others as well.
How would the wise teacher see your life?
As butterfly, a botanist, or a bee?
Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does.
- James 1:22-25
The Butterfly, the Botanist, and the Bee
by H.P. Barker
Contemplating life, a wise teacher gazed at a beautiful garden.
As he breathed in the wonderful fragrances and beheld the beauty of the garden, he saw a butterfly flitting from flower to flower. It spent a few seconds on the edge of a rose, then a daisy, and then a sunflower. The garden was a rainbow of fragrance and color, but the butterfly gained no particular benefit from any of the flowers there.
Next the teacher saw a botanist with a large notebook and an equally large magnifying glass in his hand. As the botanist carefully observed each flower, he filled a great number of pages with his notes. But after hours of meticulous study, most of what he learned was shut up in his notebook and forgotten.
Then the wise teacher observed a small bee. The bee enthusiastically entered a flower, was gone from view for a brief moment, and then emerged laden with pollen. It had left the hive that morning empty, but would return full, and in doing so would share his abundance. With that pollen, sweet honey would be made to sustain, not only himself, but the entire hive for the future.
The wise teacher pondered.
Some people are like butterflies, going from teacher to teacher, seminar to seminar, book to book. They are so very busy, and expend so much energy, but have little to show for their efforts. They remain unchanged in any significant way because they never really delve into things wholeheartedly. They're content to simply flutter around the edges.
Others, like the botanist, may study in great depth but never apply what is learnt to their lives. Content to study, they know much, but receive little benefit. Striving for knowledge alone, they are unaffected by the knowledge they gain.
Our lives would be very different if we could only learn from the bee -- visiting each flower with purpose and passion. To whole-heartedly dive in -- to lose ourselves, to go into every opportunity with an open mind, determined to emerge fuller than when we began, to do more than simply flutter, to do more that simply take notes, but to take action. To joyfully give of our abundance so that others can make something sweeter, something that will sustain not only ourselves, but bless others as well.
How would the wise teacher see your life?
As butterfly, a botanist, or a bee?
Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does.
- James 1:22-25
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Do You Love HIM?
Many say they have a love for God, but their love is only pleasure in God as the giver of good gifts and pleasant circumstances. This type of love is really a love of self because God is not the supreme object of the appreciation. It is merely a love for God as a provider, a Santa Claus; it is not a biblical love.-John Hannah
I came across this quote the other day and couldn't help but think, think about the rich Truth found in it. Love for God is something that many say they possess; I hear it every where and I see it everywhere, and yet is it the reality? Do all the people who say they LOVE God really love Him? What does it even mean to love God? The Bible has a lot to say on this, and yet it is much more simple than most would think. How do you know if you really LOVE God? Look at what Jesus himself says in John 14:15 "If you love me, you will obey what I command." If you love Him, it will show through your obedience to His commands.
I believe the problem starts with our view of God. If your view of God is incorrect, you will not understand what it means to truly love Him. If I view God as a big genie in the sky, or my spiritual santa claus, I will love Him only when my "wishes are his command" or when its Christmas in my life. But the moment that a circumstance comes along that brings challenge, conflict, hardship, pain or suffering, my love for Him will fade; it will fade because my love has been based solely on what He does for me. But is this who God is? Is God our grandpa in the sky? No where in Scripture will you find anything about God giving you everything your heart desires or all your wants or answering all your prayers (the way YOU want) or making all your dreams a reality. What does God promise a believer?
- Forgiveness of Sins
1 John 1:9, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from ALL unrighteousness."
-Eternal Life
John 6:40, "And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day."
-His Love and Mercy
Lamentations 3:22-23, "It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness."
-Our "Needs" (provision)
Matthew 6:8 "...for your Father knows what you need before you ask him."
And of course much more. But this is the start, this is where we can gain perspective about who our God is and what He promises the believer. If our idea of God is that He is here for our needs, to meet our needs and wants, we have it mixed up. Instead we are here FOR HIM, to GLORIFY HIM, to HONOR HIM, to make HIM famous!
Your love for Him starts with your knowledge of who He is, not what He does. Although the cross, your sanctification, your provision, your blessings...all of these will cause you to love Him even more, your love doesn't start there. You love Him because He first loved you, because of who He is, HE IS ALMIGHTY AND HOLY AND PERFECT GOD! And then the cross, the cross compels you to love Him because you couldn't love Him without that work. And then everything else follows, every good and perfect gift should cause you to love Him more.
Now, the biblical love Jesus is talking about is only possible in the life of a true believer. Someone who has been regenerated, redeemed, and changed from the inside out will be able to obey His commands out of love. Our love for Him is what drives that obedience. If you say you LOVE GOD, the logical question should be...do you obey Him? If your answer is no, then you must ask yourself why not. Do you desire to obey Him? To please Him? Your love should compel you to seek His glory in all you do. Do you really love Him? Is your love based on who He is or what He gives you? Is your view of our God correct?
May your love for God truly be that...A LOVE FOR GOD!
I came across this quote the other day and couldn't help but think, think about the rich Truth found in it. Love for God is something that many say they possess; I hear it every where and I see it everywhere, and yet is it the reality? Do all the people who say they LOVE God really love Him? What does it even mean to love God? The Bible has a lot to say on this, and yet it is much more simple than most would think. How do you know if you really LOVE God? Look at what Jesus himself says in John 14:15 "If you love me, you will obey what I command." If you love Him, it will show through your obedience to His commands.
I believe the problem starts with our view of God. If your view of God is incorrect, you will not understand what it means to truly love Him. If I view God as a big genie in the sky, or my spiritual santa claus, I will love Him only when my "wishes are his command" or when its Christmas in my life. But the moment that a circumstance comes along that brings challenge, conflict, hardship, pain or suffering, my love for Him will fade; it will fade because my love has been based solely on what He does for me. But is this who God is? Is God our grandpa in the sky? No where in Scripture will you find anything about God giving you everything your heart desires or all your wants or answering all your prayers (the way YOU want) or making all your dreams a reality. What does God promise a believer?
- Forgiveness of Sins
1 John 1:9, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from ALL unrighteousness."
-Eternal Life
John 6:40, "And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day."
-His Love and Mercy
Lamentations 3:22-23, "It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness."
-Our "Needs" (provision)
Matthew 6:8 "...for your Father knows what you need before you ask him."
And of course much more. But this is the start, this is where we can gain perspective about who our God is and what He promises the believer. If our idea of God is that He is here for our needs, to meet our needs and wants, we have it mixed up. Instead we are here FOR HIM, to GLORIFY HIM, to HONOR HIM, to make HIM famous!
Your love for Him starts with your knowledge of who He is, not what He does. Although the cross, your sanctification, your provision, your blessings...all of these will cause you to love Him even more, your love doesn't start there. You love Him because He first loved you, because of who He is, HE IS ALMIGHTY AND HOLY AND PERFECT GOD! And then the cross, the cross compels you to love Him because you couldn't love Him without that work. And then everything else follows, every good and perfect gift should cause you to love Him more.
Now, the biblical love Jesus is talking about is only possible in the life of a true believer. Someone who has been regenerated, redeemed, and changed from the inside out will be able to obey His commands out of love. Our love for Him is what drives that obedience. If you say you LOVE GOD, the logical question should be...do you obey Him? If your answer is no, then you must ask yourself why not. Do you desire to obey Him? To please Him? Your love should compel you to seek His glory in all you do. Do you really love Him? Is your love based on who He is or what He gives you? Is your view of our God correct?
May your love for God truly be that...A LOVE FOR GOD!
Tuesday, October 05, 2010
He Has Given YOU Everything YOU "Need"
"His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness." -- 2 Peter 1:3
Take a look at that verse...do you believe that? Your natural reaction might be to respond "yes, of course", but does the reality of your life reflect that admission? Do you TRULY believe that in Him, in His resources (His Word, the Spirit), you have EVERYTHING you NEED for BOTH life and godliness?
Saying yes to that, and really living as if it were true, would reflect a radical lifestyle, a life that was driven by Truth, and that relied on that Truth for EVERYTHING. In our world and culture, Christians have fallen prey to incorporating man's wisdom into how they live on a daily basis; especially when it comes to "life" necessities. What I mean by that is when life gets hard, and there isn't a clear answer in Scripture, or something "practical" enough, many Christians run to the world, (psychology, philosophy, opinion) to find an answer. But is that what the Lord has called us to do as believers? Who are we supposed to run to? What are we supposed to run to? Where do we find our answers for LIFE and godliness? I think many would admit that when it comes to spiritual things we know the Bible is full of wisdom but what about when it comes to life issues? Many would say that the Bible just isn't specific enough.
When you take a look at Peter's exhortation and encouragement in the verse above, you find rich encouragement, and hope, for walking a life worthy of the life you've been called to. His divine power...what power is that? That power is divine, Godly, coming from Him, and perfectly able to strengthen, as power gives us might. And this power, the power that the believer gains through the work of regeneration, has granted, meaning bestowed or given, (without any earning) to YOU, (the believer) everything, ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING, that you (the believer), "NEED" (that is necessary or advantageous for or pertaining to) for LIFE "AND" GODLINESS. Therefore you have ALL you need, for this life and the next, you've been given it all, you need not look anywhere else. He will never give you anything that He won't equip you to go through. He will never walk you through anything He won't use for your good and His glory. And He won't ever leave you without the resources and ability to live the life you have been called to. His Word is your life manual.
And why or how does this happen? THROUGH (on account of) the knowledge (recognition of) the ONE who called (purposed, planned, ordained, summoned) YOU (the believer) by His own goodness (his perfect love). This Truth blows my mind! Think about that for a second. You have the strength and power to live the life he has called you to live here and eternally because its not you living it, it is Him living it through you. He has given you TRUE life and has equipped you to live a life worthy of that calling, no matter what comes your way. And He has given you everything you need, you need not look to man's wisdom, to psychology, to the ways of the world, to opinions that are extra-biblical for any answers...He has given you EVERYTHING. Now the question is do you REALLY believe that? And if you say you do, does your life reflect that?
Take a look at that verse...do you believe that? Your natural reaction might be to respond "yes, of course", but does the reality of your life reflect that admission? Do you TRULY believe that in Him, in His resources (His Word, the Spirit), you have EVERYTHING you NEED for BOTH life and godliness?
Saying yes to that, and really living as if it were true, would reflect a radical lifestyle, a life that was driven by Truth, and that relied on that Truth for EVERYTHING. In our world and culture, Christians have fallen prey to incorporating man's wisdom into how they live on a daily basis; especially when it comes to "life" necessities. What I mean by that is when life gets hard, and there isn't a clear answer in Scripture, or something "practical" enough, many Christians run to the world, (psychology, philosophy, opinion) to find an answer. But is that what the Lord has called us to do as believers? Who are we supposed to run to? What are we supposed to run to? Where do we find our answers for LIFE and godliness? I think many would admit that when it comes to spiritual things we know the Bible is full of wisdom but what about when it comes to life issues? Many would say that the Bible just isn't specific enough.
When you take a look at Peter's exhortation and encouragement in the verse above, you find rich encouragement, and hope, for walking a life worthy of the life you've been called to. His divine power...what power is that? That power is divine, Godly, coming from Him, and perfectly able to strengthen, as power gives us might. And this power, the power that the believer gains through the work of regeneration, has granted, meaning bestowed or given, (without any earning) to YOU, (the believer) everything, ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING, that you (the believer), "NEED" (that is necessary or advantageous for or pertaining to) for LIFE "AND" GODLINESS. Therefore you have ALL you need, for this life and the next, you've been given it all, you need not look anywhere else. He will never give you anything that He won't equip you to go through. He will never walk you through anything He won't use for your good and His glory. And He won't ever leave you without the resources and ability to live the life you have been called to. His Word is your life manual.
And why or how does this happen? THROUGH (on account of) the knowledge (recognition of) the ONE who called (purposed, planned, ordained, summoned) YOU (the believer) by His own goodness (his perfect love). This Truth blows my mind! Think about that for a second. You have the strength and power to live the life he has called you to live here and eternally because its not you living it, it is Him living it through you. He has given you TRUE life and has equipped you to live a life worthy of that calling, no matter what comes your way. And He has given you everything you need, you need not look to man's wisdom, to psychology, to the ways of the world, to opinions that are extra-biblical for any answers...He has given you EVERYTHING. Now the question is do you REALLY believe that? And if you say you do, does your life reflect that?
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