"God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. God blessed them; and God said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over every living thing that moves on the earth." (Gen 1: 27-28)
This morning I was thinking about the nature of how God interacts with us versus how Satan interacts with us. God created us and loves us as a parent does a child. He loves us deeply and has high hopes for us. He sets rules on our behavior because he has wisdom that we do not, and until we develop that kind of wisdom through experience, he gives us commandments to keep us safe and healthy (individually and as a society) (Ex 20). He encourages us ("You are fearfully and wonderfully made" Ps 139:14; "For I know the plans I have for you, plans for welfare and not calamity to give you a future and a hope" Jer 29:11), and wants to see us succeed. He wants to have a relationship with us and sent his son to give us a path to forgiveness and salvation (John 3:16-17). Ultimately it leads to relationship and familial closeness.
Satan on the other hand comes to us in the guise of freedom and novelty masquerading as an angel of light (2 Cor 11:14-15). He twists our thought processes to turn parental rules into seemingly binding regulations (Gen 3:1-5). For his own personal ambition and power mongering he seeks to lead souls outside of God's protection and to worship of himself (Rev 13). He encourages us to sin as he sinned in his own fall from grace (Ez 28:11-19), and he wants to turn us into ugly replicas of himself instead of the images of God that we are.
The contrast between God and Satan and their motivations have become clearer to me as I have kids of my own. It's a strange thing to move from being focused on your own life alone, to giving of yourself to your children and their needs because they are so hopeless when they are born. Children are a blank slate. They move instinctually, but they have no real awareness of who and what they are. They need to even discover their arms and legs and the motor skills to even roll over.
As a result, as they grow, parents strive to teach the child to understand their surroundings, giving them limited freedom and set rules commensurate with their ages to keep them safe. When they misbehave, we discipline them out of love, not out of hate because we know that they need to have a sense of right and wrong in order to be successful people.
I would contrast human parentage with kidnappers who abduct children. Most of these children are abused and them murdered. Others are used as slaves for personal gain or sold into prostitution. None of these kidnappers are committing their crime for the sake of the child. There is no sacrifice or love in their motivations. They are simply seeking their own gratification and power mongering attitude.
When I became a Christian and moved from the parentage of Satan to the parentage of God, I entered a household and became an adopted son (Romans 11:13-24). I went from being lost and striving toward nothingness and despair to having a structure and having a loving parent. I used to suffer bouts of deep loneliness and pits of emptiness in my soul, but since I received Christ and the Holy Spirit came to indwell within me, I have not had that feeling once. Someone has always been there with me.
I honestly shudder to think of where my life was headed and where I was going, but now I stand on firm ground and have a surety and confidence within me that I didn't have before.
I need to remember this lesson because my parents were definitely well meaning and well intended, but they were absentee parents. They were contented to ship me off to the television and have me play quietly in the corner while they weren't bothered. I needed God badly because I needed His Fatherhood in my life.
Now, as a parent of two children, they'll need me to be like God the Father and not follow the template of my own parents. Actually, I want them badly to have both - To know God first and foremost, but to also be directed to God by a loving parentage.
We often have preconceived notions about God based on our experiences with our own parents. I used to think of him as somewhat distant and very angry about sin. Sort of how I relate to my dad who ran our household more through intimidation than anything. Although I do still think that God becomes angry about sin, I now realize that there is a tremendous overwhelming love as a parent first and foremost. His anger is not at us, but at the sin itself. His love for us drives Him to coax us out of a meaningless and deadly lifestyle into adoption into His family.
Lord Jesus, thank You for coming for me even when I was in the depth of my despair. You heard my soul calling out for meaning and desiring something more from life, and You came to show me Your love and healed my soul. I pray for Your help in being a father and a husband, that I may take Your ways and live them out daily in my interactions with my family. In Jesus' name, AMEN.
Saturday, November 24, 2012
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
Even the Greatest of Us Have Weaknesses
"When I came to you, I did not come with eloquence or human wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. 2 For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. 3 I came to you in weakness with great fear and trembling." (1 Cor. 2:1-3)
Sometimes I am surprised at how painfully shy I can be at certain events. Because I feel nervous about a situation or a meeting, the thought of it can make my stomach turn.
In these moments, I am encouraged by these words of Paul -- that He too was a human being who experienced nervousness even when being one of the most powerful and memorable apostles for Christ. I forget that as a Christian, I do not live on my own strength and on my own abilities, that I may be proud of my accomplishments and boast to the world my greatness.
No, Paul says, "The foolishness of God is stronger than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength." (1 Cor 1:25) In that vein, we give over our lives to Christ in full, so that we can do more than what our human strength (or weakness) can accomplish.
Yes, I have moments when my own strength is not strong enough and my own capacity is found wanting. In those moments, how blessed am I that I can turn to the Lord and ask for more capacity and more strength to do the things that He has called me to do. In the same way that Paul was called beyond his capacity to be an apostle, so too have I been called to the mission field of business -- and so I must rely and lean upon the Lord for my strength to go with courage even into the situations where I have none.
Lord Jesus, how great are You that I can lean upon You to do more than my human capacity allows. Strengthen Your servant in those times and lead me with peace into any perceived lions' dens that the world may construct. I pray that Your Spirit will always shine through in everything that I do. In Your awesome name I pray, AMEN.
Sometimes I am surprised at how painfully shy I can be at certain events. Because I feel nervous about a situation or a meeting, the thought of it can make my stomach turn.
In these moments, I am encouraged by these words of Paul -- that He too was a human being who experienced nervousness even when being one of the most powerful and memorable apostles for Christ. I forget that as a Christian, I do not live on my own strength and on my own abilities, that I may be proud of my accomplishments and boast to the world my greatness.
No, Paul says, "The foolishness of God is stronger than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength." (1 Cor 1:25) In that vein, we give over our lives to Christ in full, so that we can do more than what our human strength (or weakness) can accomplish.
Yes, I have moments when my own strength is not strong enough and my own capacity is found wanting. In those moments, how blessed am I that I can turn to the Lord and ask for more capacity and more strength to do the things that He has called me to do. In the same way that Paul was called beyond his capacity to be an apostle, so too have I been called to the mission field of business -- and so I must rely and lean upon the Lord for my strength to go with courage even into the situations where I have none.
Lord Jesus, how great are You that I can lean upon You to do more than my human capacity allows. Strengthen Your servant in those times and lead me with peace into any perceived lions' dens that the world may construct. I pray that Your Spirit will always shine through in everything that I do. In Your awesome name I pray, AMEN.
Thursday, September 6, 2012
A Life Promise Fulfilled To A Young Believer (and Slacker)
Psalm 128
128 How blessed is everyone who fears the Lord,
Who walks in His ways.
2 When you shall eat of the fruit of your hands,
You will be happy and it will be well with you.
3 Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine
Who walks in His ways.
2 When you shall eat of the fruit of your hands,
You will be happy and it will be well with you.
3 Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine
Within your house,
Your children like olive plants
Around your table.
4 Behold, for thus shall the man be blessed
Who fears the Lord.
Your children like olive plants
Around your table.
4 Behold, for thus shall the man be blessed
Who fears the Lord.
5 The Lord bless you from Zion,
And may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life.
6 Indeed, may you see your children’s children.
Peace be upon Israel!
And may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life.
6 Indeed, may you see your children’s children.
Peace be upon Israel!
The above verse is a life verse for me - one that I was given in prayer and have clung to for around 12 years now. As a relatively new, but very serious Christian those years ago, I was a frustrated college grad who couldn't see any path forward in life. I was single, but desperately wanted to be married. I was working, but did not love my work or vocation. In reality, it was my character that was very weak and immature. However, I did love God with all my heart, soul, mind and strength.
In prayer, I was led to open the Bible to this Psalm and when I read it, I cried and cried. I didn't know how a life like this would be obtained because it seemed so far away, yet it was exactly what I yearned for. A wife, healthy children, a house, and a vocation that would provide and be fulfilling. Nothing fancy, but seemingly impossible for that young man all those years ago.
The Potter only had a lump of clay to start out with -- but little did I suspect that He would do so much...
He started with my character -- as much as I have been able, I have tried to maintain my fear of the Lord over the years. Over that time period, I remained very single for another 4 years, but learned to give and serve others in volunteering. Via missions, I was led to live abroad and Japan and the Philippines, eventually meeting my future wife in my travels.
I moved back into my old career that I thought I hated as a young man, but approached it with a renewed passion for excellence and as a consequence, I have reached new heights in both competence, compensation, as well as fulfillment.
I have gotten married to a woman beyond my wildest dreams, and now have two beautiful, miraculous children.
I have a house to raise a family in...one that we call our own.
This simple Psalm, whose promises are still yet to be fully realized, has been an amazing promise of blessing to my life. Yet, the reader will notice that it is addressed to anyone who fears the Lord. It is a general promise from God that is available to all.
I still consider myself far from fully shaped and I know that it is through the challenges of life, not the pleasures of life, that we are shaped and improved. I have also discovered that my biggest blessings are also my biggest trials (work, marriage, kids).
As I marvel at the blessings of God...I am in awe and awash with gratitude. And I look forward to each day that comes and try my best to obey Him in all I do.
Monday, February 27, 2012
Our Control Is Only An Illusion
"The earth is the LORD's, and all its fullness, The world and those who dwell." (Ps 24:1)
"Both riches and honor come from You,
And You reign over all.
In Your hand is power and might;
In Your hand it is to make great
And to give strength to all." (1 Chron. 29:12)
"For exaltation comes neither from the east
Nor from the west nor from the south.
7 But God is the Judge:
He puts down one,
And exalts another." (Psalm 75:6-7)
We Human Beings are funny creatures - we are so interested in the future. We pay psychics over the phone, read horoscopes and other claptrap to see if we are going to have a good day. It isn't a new thing either (what is, really different between us and biblical human beings? - nothing), King Saul committed a grave sin by using a medium to contact a dead Samuel rather than trusting in the Lord.
This morning this topic resonated with me because I was having some nightmares about my children. It always centers around them wandering and falling into a danger that I cannot control.
As a parent, I am constantly worried on some level about my children. It usually doesn't rear itself in my daily life, but in dreams it can be quite frightening for me. It is my worst fears realized in nightmare form.
My fears in daily life (when I'm awake) usually center around provision and the desire to provide for the needs of my family and the hope that should something happen to me, they will be well cared for. At the same time, I hope that my career will grow and mature. When I was a younger single Christian, my primary desire was to find a good woman who was willing to spend the rest of her life with me (a seemingly insurmountable task at the time - praise God that He can work miracles!).
All these things are connected because they are all out of my control. I surely want to control them - to make sure my family is safe and secure and that my career is blossoming, but I cannot.
That is where the need to trust in and pray to the Lord comes into play. Trust is evidenced and developed over time - much like how a new marriage is fragile because it is so young, so too is our walk with the Lord when we are new Christians. Over time, the Lord's faithfulness is evidenced - not in the way that we envision, want or desire, but instead in the way that He desires for us, knowing the beginning and the end of our lives.
Consequently, our lives never ever develop in the way that we believe it will go. Yet, looking back on the time that I have been a Christian -- would I change anything? Would I trade my life for another? How can I? I am living the life that the Lord has granted to me, and it is well with my soul.
The Lord doesn't promise us perfection in life - living in a fallen world, tragedies happen all the time. Thorns and jagged edges abound everywhere and we can be cut physically, mentally and emotionally.
However, as a child of God - one whose Lordship is no longer our own, but given over to Christ, God promises eternal life and also to use our lives in a way that is beneficial to his kingdom - a life that is fulfilling because it fills our purpose for living.
At this point, earthly control - earthly results are no longer important. There is an eternity for us to look forward to. As Paul says boldly in Philippians 1:21, to live is Christ, to die is gain. There is no need for control over our futures, instead we merely need to focus on self-control and discipline in living God's ways (one of the fruits of the spirit in Gal. 5:22). Living in submission with Him, He will guide our steps and use us in the way that will maximize our lives, and the lives of our families.
Lord Jesus, in the hustle and bustle of everyday life, the dangers of this life can seem so large and imposing. I forget Your perspective and Your will all too easily. You are in control and You are my Lord. Let my life flow in whatever way and direction You desire. Let me never try to possess my life as if it is something for me to grasp or to lay pride upon. I am yours, and my family is yours. Help me instead to be the best that I can be for them and ultimately for You. In the amazing name of Jesus - the name of salvation, I pray. AMEN.
"Both riches and honor come from You,
And You reign over all.
In Your hand is power and might;
In Your hand it is to make great
And to give strength to all." (1 Chron. 29:12)
"For exaltation comes neither from the east
Nor from the west nor from the south.
7 But God is the Judge:
He puts down one,
And exalts another." (Psalm 75:6-7)
We Human Beings are funny creatures - we are so interested in the future. We pay psychics over the phone, read horoscopes and other claptrap to see if we are going to have a good day. It isn't a new thing either (what is, really different between us and biblical human beings? - nothing), King Saul committed a grave sin by using a medium to contact a dead Samuel rather than trusting in the Lord.
This morning this topic resonated with me because I was having some nightmares about my children. It always centers around them wandering and falling into a danger that I cannot control.
As a parent, I am constantly worried on some level about my children. It usually doesn't rear itself in my daily life, but in dreams it can be quite frightening for me. It is my worst fears realized in nightmare form.
My fears in daily life (when I'm awake) usually center around provision and the desire to provide for the needs of my family and the hope that should something happen to me, they will be well cared for. At the same time, I hope that my career will grow and mature. When I was a younger single Christian, my primary desire was to find a good woman who was willing to spend the rest of her life with me (a seemingly insurmountable task at the time - praise God that He can work miracles!).
All these things are connected because they are all out of my control. I surely want to control them - to make sure my family is safe and secure and that my career is blossoming, but I cannot.
That is where the need to trust in and pray to the Lord comes into play. Trust is evidenced and developed over time - much like how a new marriage is fragile because it is so young, so too is our walk with the Lord when we are new Christians. Over time, the Lord's faithfulness is evidenced - not in the way that we envision, want or desire, but instead in the way that He desires for us, knowing the beginning and the end of our lives.
Consequently, our lives never ever develop in the way that we believe it will go. Yet, looking back on the time that I have been a Christian -- would I change anything? Would I trade my life for another? How can I? I am living the life that the Lord has granted to me, and it is well with my soul.
The Lord doesn't promise us perfection in life - living in a fallen world, tragedies happen all the time. Thorns and jagged edges abound everywhere and we can be cut physically, mentally and emotionally.
However, as a child of God - one whose Lordship is no longer our own, but given over to Christ, God promises eternal life and also to use our lives in a way that is beneficial to his kingdom - a life that is fulfilling because it fills our purpose for living.
At this point, earthly control - earthly results are no longer important. There is an eternity for us to look forward to. As Paul says boldly in Philippians 1:21, to live is Christ, to die is gain. There is no need for control over our futures, instead we merely need to focus on self-control and discipline in living God's ways (one of the fruits of the spirit in Gal. 5:22). Living in submission with Him, He will guide our steps and use us in the way that will maximize our lives, and the lives of our families.
Lord Jesus, in the hustle and bustle of everyday life, the dangers of this life can seem so large and imposing. I forget Your perspective and Your will all too easily. You are in control and You are my Lord. Let my life flow in whatever way and direction You desire. Let me never try to possess my life as if it is something for me to grasp or to lay pride upon. I am yours, and my family is yours. Help me instead to be the best that I can be for them and ultimately for You. In the amazing name of Jesus - the name of salvation, I pray. AMEN.
Saturday, January 21, 2012
The Beloved Disciple...is me!
20 Peter turned around and saw behind them the disciple Jesus loved—the one who had leaned over to Jesus during supper and asked, “Lord, who will betray you?” 21 Peter asked Jesus, “What about him, Lord?”
22 Jesus replied, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? As for you, follow me.” 23 So the rumor spread among the community of believers[g] that this disciple wouldn’t die. But that isn’t what Jesus said at all. He only said, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?”
24 This disciple is the one who testifies to these events and has recorded them here. And we know that his account of these things is accurate.
(John 21: 20-24)
In this moment, the book of John reveals the identity of the "one that Jesus loved". When I first read John as a new believer, it was so weird that one disciple would be identified in this way - who is this especially loved disciple?
But, when I read the end of John 21 it makes sense. Undeniably, Jesus and John shared a special friendship which is evidenced by the fact that John was given charge to take care of Jesus' mother Mary. However, I can understand how a first person account, a very personal account of one's life with Jesus, would emphasize the transforming love of Jesus' affection upon that person.
My own journal has constant references to how much I love Jesus and how grateful I am that Jesus has loved me. That is the beauty of the personal relationship we have with the Savior that is distinctly different from any religion on earth. It is what John emphasizes constantly in his personal recollection in his testimony of Jesus.
The truth is that Jesus not only loved us on the cross, but he also loved us to chase after us two thousand years later and call us to him in the midst of us being trapped in our most sinful ways. On a personal level, I can delineate the start of my new life and the ending of my old life when I was loved by Jesus. It has been such a drastic change from one phase of life to the next that I am constantly grateful for being called by Jesus to come to Him. My life has been so much more blessed in my walk with Him that I marvel at the journey He has led me through.
As much as John knew he was the beloved disciple, I know that I too am the disciple that Jesus loved.
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