Jonah 4:19
Then God said to Jonah, "Is it right for you to be angry about the plant?"
And he said, "It is right for me to be angry, even to death!"
James 1:20
"for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.
Man's anger brings about death. As the saying goes, "anger is a poison that one drinks in the hopes that someone else will die."
So why is it that I feel so justified, like Jonah, to be angry? I get so bent out of shape when someone or something does not go my way. My pleasure, comfort and met expectations are undeserved blessings from God born out of His great mercy and grace. Were it not for His great love for me, I would know nothing but the suffering of sin and the decay of this world. So why do I indignantly expect such favor?
For starters, I don't value the things that God values. I place my selfish desires above other people. Like Jonah, I'd rather see someone else suffer than miss out on what I feel I deserve.
I also have a tendency to neglect gratefulness. I am so blessed that I've grown calloused to God's provision in my life. What are luxuries and privileges have become like an addictive drug that I cannot do without. I'll lie, cheat, steal, manipulate and fight just to hold onto the buzz of my comfortable life. The only way to overcome this addiction is with gratitude and a right recognition that these things are really undeserved blessings.
Father - reorder my values around what you value. Break my addiction to comfort and my own pleasure and make me to be grateful in all things.
Colossians 2:4 Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Fear the Lord
Jonah 1:9
So he said to them, “I am a Hebrew; and I fear the LORD, the God of heaven, who made the sea and the dry land.”
Like Jonah, our sin causes us to run from God. All those around us may see the shipwreck coming but we could be fast asleep and numb to God. This sinful conditions does not change who we are - Jonah was still a Hebrew and we are still Christians. However this does change our relationships with God drastically. We move from a reverent fear of God to a terrifying fear of God. "It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God," (Hebrews 10:31). In this fearful moment, Jonah acknowledges that he has nowhere to run. God is God in heaven, on sea and on dry ground. As David wrote in Psalm 139:7-12,
"7 Where can I go from Your Spirit?
Or where can I flee from Your presence?
8 If I ascend into heaven, You are there;
If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there.
9 If I take the wings of the morning,
And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
10 Even there Your hand shall lead me,
And Your right hand shall hold me.
11 If I say, “Surely the darkness shall fall[a] on me,”
Even the night shall be light about me;
12 Indeed, the darkness shall not hide from You,
But the night shines as the day;
The darkness and the light are both alike to You.
And yet God was gracious in saving Jonah from the stormy shipwreck, the raging sea and even the whales teeth and digestive track! Doesn't this reveal something amazing?
Our great fears are most realized not when a sinner turns back to God, but when he or she refuses to! Guilt and shame are small prices to pay for the gracious restoration of the sinner who repents - and even these God graciously cleanses away. "Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water," (Heb. 10:22). What an awesome God we serve.
Father - wake me up and help me realize my sin. Fill me with a reverence for You and turn my fears to repentance. Show me Your mercy and let me once again proclaim Your grace. Amen.
So he said to them, “I am a Hebrew; and I fear the LORD, the God of heaven, who made the sea and the dry land.”
Like Jonah, our sin causes us to run from God. All those around us may see the shipwreck coming but we could be fast asleep and numb to God. This sinful conditions does not change who we are - Jonah was still a Hebrew and we are still Christians. However this does change our relationships with God drastically. We move from a reverent fear of God to a terrifying fear of God. "It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God," (Hebrews 10:31). In this fearful moment, Jonah acknowledges that he has nowhere to run. God is God in heaven, on sea and on dry ground. As David wrote in Psalm 139:7-12,
"7 Where can I go from Your Spirit?
Or where can I flee from Your presence?
8 If I ascend into heaven, You are there;
If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there.
9 If I take the wings of the morning,
And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
10 Even there Your hand shall lead me,
And Your right hand shall hold me.
11 If I say, “Surely the darkness shall fall[a] on me,”
Even the night shall be light about me;
12 Indeed, the darkness shall not hide from You,
But the night shines as the day;
The darkness and the light are both alike to You.
And yet God was gracious in saving Jonah from the stormy shipwreck, the raging sea and even the whales teeth and digestive track! Doesn't this reveal something amazing?
Our great fears are most realized not when a sinner turns back to God, but when he or she refuses to! Guilt and shame are small prices to pay for the gracious restoration of the sinner who repents - and even these God graciously cleanses away. "Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water," (Heb. 10:22). What an awesome God we serve.
Father - wake me up and help me realize my sin. Fill me with a reverence for You and turn my fears to repentance. Show me Your mercy and let me once again proclaim Your grace. Amen.
Monday, December 29, 2008
Contentment
Philippians 4:11-12
"I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want."
Contentment like Paul's is rare. This quality of contentment is not measured by stuff or comfort or status or health or peace - but by the fullness of Christ. We have all met discontent people with much, with comfortable lives, great health, and favor as well as those with none of these. As is written in Proverbs 27:20, "death and destruction are never satisfied, and neither are the eyes of a man." Paul on the other hand learned to take his eyes off the things of this world and place them solely on Christ. He learned to be satisfied and filled with the Spirit of Christ rather than his own righteousness or any other worldly pursuit. For Paul, even his righteousness and pious pursuits were considered rubbish compared to knowing Christ and even identifying with His death and suffering (Phil. 3:8). Paul changed the measure of contentment in his life. (I like to think of Paul saying something like, "if at first you don't succeed... change the game!) By simply changing the measurement of contentment Paul came to realize that he could "do all things through Christ" who gave him strength (Phil. 4:13).
So the question I am faced with today is "am I content"... but instead, "am I filled with Christ?" Am I focused on my relationship with Him over all else? What am I doing to be filled with His Spirit and His strength?
Father - fill me with Your Spirit and let me know Your strength. Teach me to live and rest in Your presence. Make me content in You alone. Amen.
"I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want."
Contentment like Paul's is rare. This quality of contentment is not measured by stuff or comfort or status or health or peace - but by the fullness of Christ. We have all met discontent people with much, with comfortable lives, great health, and favor as well as those with none of these. As is written in Proverbs 27:20, "death and destruction are never satisfied, and neither are the eyes of a man." Paul on the other hand learned to take his eyes off the things of this world and place them solely on Christ. He learned to be satisfied and filled with the Spirit of Christ rather than his own righteousness or any other worldly pursuit. For Paul, even his righteousness and pious pursuits were considered rubbish compared to knowing Christ and even identifying with His death and suffering (Phil. 3:8). Paul changed the measure of contentment in his life. (I like to think of Paul saying something like, "if at first you don't succeed... change the game!) By simply changing the measurement of contentment Paul came to realize that he could "do all things through Christ" who gave him strength (Phil. 4:13).
So the question I am faced with today is "am I content"... but instead, "am I filled with Christ?" Am I focused on my relationship with Him over all else? What am I doing to be filled with His Spirit and His strength?
Father - fill me with Your Spirit and let me know Your strength. Teach me to live and rest in Your presence. Make me content in You alone. Amen.
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Anticipation of conformation
Philippians 3:20-21
For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.
As I struggle in this life to overcome sin and my flesh, I can live in anticipation of the day when Christ calls me home and grants me a glorified body, free from sin and temptation. While I am unable to subdue myself, He is fully able to subdue all things, even me! Furthermore, I will be free to fully serve and praise Him unhindered by my own flesh. My offering to Him will be pure, my motives will be pure.
Just the thought of this makes my heart sing!
What a glorious and fulfilling day it will be to stand before my savior unhindered by this flesh - free to love Him as I ought!
Father, help me to live in anticipation of this glorious day. May this thought drive me to purity and obedience as I seek to love you as I ought in this life. Amen.
For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.
As I struggle in this life to overcome sin and my flesh, I can live in anticipation of the day when Christ calls me home and grants me a glorified body, free from sin and temptation. While I am unable to subdue myself, He is fully able to subdue all things, even me! Furthermore, I will be free to fully serve and praise Him unhindered by my own flesh. My offering to Him will be pure, my motives will be pure.
Just the thought of this makes my heart sing!
What a glorious and fulfilling day it will be to stand before my savior unhindered by this flesh - free to love Him as I ought!
Father, help me to live in anticipation of this glorious day. May this thought drive me to purity and obedience as I seek to love you as I ought in this life. Amen.
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
to both work and will...
Philippians 2:13
for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.
Isn't free will really just an illusion?
According to this passage I am not only unable to do as will, but I am unable to even will what I may. (I'm sure there is some sort of philosophical problem with that sentence but I don't have the will to correct it.)
God not only empowers me to do His work, but also to want to do it! On my own I would not choose good nor find the capacity to do it (Rom. 3:12). But by His Spirit in me I am able to obey and desire obedience.
Thank God that He has chosen to change my will. I'm grateul that He didn't just extend to me a balance of choices. I know that I have the sort of will and appetite that struggles to do good. I know I need this degree of intervention. This truth leads me to praise God for His wisdom and grace in going to such lengths to not only ensure my salvation but also my sanctification. Christ has certainly and thoroughly done it all for me. I have nothing to boast in. He is the only author and perfecter of my faith (Heb. 12:2).
I praise You Father for Your sovereign and gracious work in my life. Thank You for moving in me to will and to work for Your glory. Amen.
for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.
Isn't free will really just an illusion?
According to this passage I am not only unable to do as will, but I am unable to even will what I may. (I'm sure there is some sort of philosophical problem with that sentence but I don't have the will to correct it.)
God not only empowers me to do His work, but also to want to do it! On my own I would not choose good nor find the capacity to do it (Rom. 3:12). But by His Spirit in me I am able to obey and desire obedience.
Thank God that He has chosen to change my will. I'm grateul that He didn't just extend to me a balance of choices. I know that I have the sort of will and appetite that struggles to do good. I know I need this degree of intervention. This truth leads me to praise God for His wisdom and grace in going to such lengths to not only ensure my salvation but also my sanctification. Christ has certainly and thoroughly done it all for me. I have nothing to boast in. He is the only author and perfecter of my faith (Heb. 12:2).
I praise You Father for Your sovereign and gracious work in my life. Thank You for moving in me to will and to work for Your glory. Amen.
Monday, December 22, 2008
Suffering for His sake
Philippians 1:29
"For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake,"
There are few words that better describe the life and ministry of Jesus than suffering. Simply living in the flesh must have been uncomfortable at best. To dwell with sinful man must have been agonizing. To take our penalty and suffer the Father's wrath must have been incomparably excruciating. And it has been granted to me not only to believe in Him but also to suffer along with Him. Why is this such a privilege and gift?
Through suffering I personally and publicly identify with the person and work of Jesus Christ. In suffering His Spirit comes alive in me and His strength is made perfect (2 Cor. 12:9). Suffering is the tool God uses to mold me into His image, to conform to His nature and ways. Suffering is the confirmation that I am truly living contrary to the world (Jn. 15:18-19). Suffering is the sign that I am living a life worthy of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
I have no ability to identify with or understand this type of suffering. I suffer what is common in life, but I have little idea of what it is like to suffer for the sake of Christ. The closest that I come is sacrificing luxuries or comforts like a new car, a bigger TV, meals out or leisure time. I may occasionally risk my reputation or a relationship by holding out the Word of God or calling someone to a higher standard. I may give sacrificially within my budget if I truly feel led. However, these rarely provoke suffering and what suffering they may present pales in comparison to Christ or the martyrs around the world; so much so that it would be unfair to call this suffering.
what would I need to do or change in my life to more fully realize and experience the privilege of suffering for the sake of Christ? I would need to be more bold in proclaiming God's Word and His Gospel. I would need to give more sacrificially, more deeply according to need and not supply. I would need to strengthen my faith in God's provision, protection and plan for my life. If I truly believed that His grace was sufficient for me, I would be more likely to step out in faith and take a risk.
And yet, to follow Him in faith is no risk at all. The real risk is found in remaining the same, staying comfortable, keeping silent. The real risk is believing and not knowing intimately the reality of His presence and ministry in my life. What a tragedy it would be to believe in Him and yet not know Him or identify with Him in this way!? What an empty faith this would be!?
I want to know Him. I want to identify with Hi suffering. I want to fully participate in His nature withing me. I want to live a life worthy of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Father - make me more faithful, more bold, more sacrificial. Bless me to not only believe, but also to suffer along with Your saints, to be counted worthy of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Amen.
"For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake,"
There are few words that better describe the life and ministry of Jesus than suffering. Simply living in the flesh must have been uncomfortable at best. To dwell with sinful man must have been agonizing. To take our penalty and suffer the Father's wrath must have been incomparably excruciating. And it has been granted to me not only to believe in Him but also to suffer along with Him. Why is this such a privilege and gift?
Through suffering I personally and publicly identify with the person and work of Jesus Christ. In suffering His Spirit comes alive in me and His strength is made perfect (2 Cor. 12:9). Suffering is the tool God uses to mold me into His image, to conform to His nature and ways. Suffering is the confirmation that I am truly living contrary to the world (Jn. 15:18-19). Suffering is the sign that I am living a life worthy of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
I have no ability to identify with or understand this type of suffering. I suffer what is common in life, but I have little idea of what it is like to suffer for the sake of Christ. The closest that I come is sacrificing luxuries or comforts like a new car, a bigger TV, meals out or leisure time. I may occasionally risk my reputation or a relationship by holding out the Word of God or calling someone to a higher standard. I may give sacrificially within my budget if I truly feel led. However, these rarely provoke suffering and what suffering they may present pales in comparison to Christ or the martyrs around the world; so much so that it would be unfair to call this suffering.
what would I need to do or change in my life to more fully realize and experience the privilege of suffering for the sake of Christ? I would need to be more bold in proclaiming God's Word and His Gospel. I would need to give more sacrificially, more deeply according to need and not supply. I would need to strengthen my faith in God's provision, protection and plan for my life. If I truly believed that His grace was sufficient for me, I would be more likely to step out in faith and take a risk.
And yet, to follow Him in faith is no risk at all. The real risk is found in remaining the same, staying comfortable, keeping silent. The real risk is believing and not knowing intimately the reality of His presence and ministry in my life. What a tragedy it would be to believe in Him and yet not know Him or identify with Him in this way!? What an empty faith this would be!?
I want to know Him. I want to identify with Hi suffering. I want to fully participate in His nature withing me. I want to live a life worthy of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Father - make me more faithful, more bold, more sacrificial. Bless me to not only believe, but also to suffer along with Your saints, to be counted worthy of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Friday, December 19, 2008
Being strong in power & might
Ephesians 6:10
"Finally my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might."
How does one become strong in the Lord and in His mighty power?
It feel like I can be faithful, obedient and diligent... but strong and mighty seems a bit more ethereal. I've tried to muster up spiritual strength and I've often asked for God to display His power but the results are less than reliable. Feeling strong in the Lord is a much more spontaneous experience dependent on the Holy Spirit. At times I just sense His presence and feel Him work instead of me. All I can do is to prepare myself for when He chooses to work... oh... (Eph. 6:10-18) and put on the full armor of God, wielding the Word and dedicated to prayer. When I put on the full armor of God then I am more ready and likely to experience His strength and power. After all, what type of a king would He be lending an unarmed and armorless soldier His power to fight? He won't send me into battle unprotected and unless I'm prepared for battle, I don't need His strength or power. I guess this strength and power thing is not quite as ethereal as I first thought!
Father - dress me fully in Your armor and prepare me for the spiritual battle around me. Make me worthy and fit for your strength and power to be displayed in and through me. Amen.
"Finally my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might."
How does one become strong in the Lord and in His mighty power?
It feel like I can be faithful, obedient and diligent... but strong and mighty seems a bit more ethereal. I've tried to muster up spiritual strength and I've often asked for God to display His power but the results are less than reliable. Feeling strong in the Lord is a much more spontaneous experience dependent on the Holy Spirit. At times I just sense His presence and feel Him work instead of me. All I can do is to prepare myself for when He chooses to work... oh... (Eph. 6:10-18) and put on the full armor of God, wielding the Word and dedicated to prayer. When I put on the full armor of God then I am more ready and likely to experience His strength and power. After all, what type of a king would He be lending an unarmed and armorless soldier His power to fight? He won't send me into battle unprotected and unless I'm prepared for battle, I don't need His strength or power. I guess this strength and power thing is not quite as ethereal as I first thought!
Father - dress me fully in Your armor and prepare me for the spiritual battle around me. Make me worthy and fit for your strength and power to be displayed in and through me. Amen.
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