Heb. 6:12 ...do not become lazy, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
Faith and patience are two rare commodities in today's society. Believing beyond our circumstances and then waiting or patiently enduring are almost unnatural for us. We're more likely to react based upon what we can see and become discouraged or disappointed when things don't happen when we think they should.
If we're honest, we all struggle at times with having faith and patience. Yet these are the two keys to realizing God's fulfilled promises in our lives. Notice that they are inseparable. You can have faith but no patience. If so, you'll get tired of waiting. You can have patience but no faith. If so, you'll get tired of believing or enduring. Both are necessary. Faith expects and patience endures.
Chapter 11 of Hebrews is filled with the names of those who are great examples for us to follow. We're told to imitate such people and be encouraged by them that we might not become lazy but remain steadfast in our own faith.
We are meant to inherit God's promises. He can not and will not go back on His word. We just need to expect and endure.
Sock Monkey Snippet: Faith expects and patience endures.
Monday, May 16, 2011
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Be Diligent
2 Tim. 2:15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
In the business world, due diligence is the process of gathering and evaluating information before making a decision. It is making a thorough, careful check or investigation in order to know all the facts. Then, a course of action is developed based on this gained knowledge.
Paul exhorts Timothy to be diligent or study God's Word, the truth, not half-heartedly but rather with determined thorough care.
Without question, what we believe (or don't believe) determines how we live. It is so very important that we understand and know, through our own study, the truth according to the Bible. For by this gained knowledge, we develop the course of action for the rest of our lives. We make the decisions by which we live.
Knowing and understanding (rightly dividing) the truth and living accordingly will result in a life that is acceptable and pleasing to God. A life of which we need not ever be ashamed.
Make time for His Word. Be constant, persistent and perservering in your study of it. Be diligent.
In the business world, due diligence is the process of gathering and evaluating information before making a decision. It is making a thorough, careful check or investigation in order to know all the facts. Then, a course of action is developed based on this gained knowledge.
Paul exhorts Timothy to be diligent or study God's Word, the truth, not half-heartedly but rather with determined thorough care.
Without question, what we believe (or don't believe) determines how we live. It is so very important that we understand and know, through our own study, the truth according to the Bible. For by this gained knowledge, we develop the course of action for the rest of our lives. We make the decisions by which we live.
Knowing and understanding (rightly dividing) the truth and living accordingly will result in a life that is acceptable and pleasing to God. A life of which we need not ever be ashamed.
Make time for His Word. Be constant, persistent and perservering in your study of it. Be diligent.
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Be Perfect
Mt. 5:48 Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.
The dictionary defines perfection as being complete beyond improvement or conforming absolutely to the ideal. The Greek word for perfect (telios) used in this verse means complete, not defective, nothing missing. Jesus speaks here about how Christians are to be consistent (complete) in love.
It's easy to love our family, friends and neighbors and, of course, we should. It's not so easy, some may say impossible, to love our enemies, those who don't love back. In our human nature, we are more apt to seek revenge, hold a grudge, or respond in anger or bitterness toward them. But as Jesus points out (vv. 46, 47), if we do, then we are no better than those who are not Christians. We're not doing anything remarkable.
Our love needs to be consistent toward all, including our enemies, regardless of how we are treated. We need to speak well about those who don't speak well of us. It's not easy but our words reveal our heart. We need to do good to those who hate us. It's not easy but sometimes our actions speak louder than our words. We need to pray that the Father will forgive those who use or persecute us. It's not easy but Jesus did (Lk. 23:34).
In doing all these things, we are being consistent and complete beyond improvement in our love toward all men. We are being like the Father (v. 48), conforming absolutely to the Ideal, and confirming ourselves as His children (v. 45). Now that's something remarkable!
The dictionary defines perfection as being complete beyond improvement or conforming absolutely to the ideal. The Greek word for perfect (telios) used in this verse means complete, not defective, nothing missing. Jesus speaks here about how Christians are to be consistent (complete) in love.
It's easy to love our family, friends and neighbors and, of course, we should. It's not so easy, some may say impossible, to love our enemies, those who don't love back. In our human nature, we are more apt to seek revenge, hold a grudge, or respond in anger or bitterness toward them. But as Jesus points out (vv. 46, 47), if we do, then we are no better than those who are not Christians. We're not doing anything remarkable.
Our love needs to be consistent toward all, including our enemies, regardless of how we are treated. We need to speak well about those who don't speak well of us. It's not easy but our words reveal our heart. We need to do good to those who hate us. It's not easy but sometimes our actions speak louder than our words. We need to pray that the Father will forgive those who use or persecute us. It's not easy but Jesus did (Lk. 23:34).
In doing all these things, we are being consistent and complete beyond improvement in our love toward all men. We are being like the Father (v. 48), conforming absolutely to the Ideal, and confirming ourselves as His children (v. 45). Now that's something remarkable!
Monday, May 9, 2011
Be Fruitful
Jn. 15:8 By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.
A vineyard, although it may look pretty, doesn't accomplish it's purpose if it doesn't yield or bear fruit. As His vineyard, God purposed for our lives to bear fruit.
Disciples should be expressions of the one they follow (Lk. 6:40). If we are Christ's disciples, then the fruit we produce should be the same as the fruit that He produced. The love He showed and the kind of life He lived, His fruit, should be expressed in and through our lives, too.
Galatians (5:22, 23) lists the fruit of the Spirit, nine characteristics or traits which paint a wonderful portrait of the character of Christ. He possessed and demonstrated them all. And Acts (10:38) says Jesus went about doing good and healing all. So, He was known for His actions as well as His character.
As Christians, therefore, we should be known for Christian character and Christian actions (Mt. 7:20), our fruit. If we stay connected by faith to Jesus, the vine, we will be. And the Father will be glorified.
Got any fruit?
A vineyard, although it may look pretty, doesn't accomplish it's purpose if it doesn't yield or bear fruit. As His vineyard, God purposed for our lives to bear fruit.
Disciples should be expressions of the one they follow (Lk. 6:40). If we are Christ's disciples, then the fruit we produce should be the same as the fruit that He produced. The love He showed and the kind of life He lived, His fruit, should be expressed in and through our lives, too.
Galatians (5:22, 23) lists the fruit of the Spirit, nine characteristics or traits which paint a wonderful portrait of the character of Christ. He possessed and demonstrated them all. And Acts (10:38) says Jesus went about doing good and healing all. So, He was known for His actions as well as His character.
As Christians, therefore, we should be known for Christian character and Christian actions (Mt. 7:20), our fruit. If we stay connected by faith to Jesus, the vine, we will be. And the Father will be glorified.
Got any fruit?
Saturday, May 7, 2011
As Good As Dead
Heb. 11:12 Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born as many as the stars of the sky in multitude - innumerable as the sand which is by the seashore.
He was about a hundred years old and as good as dead, according to this Scripture, with Sarah, a barren wife. Abraham's circumstances gave him no reason to believe God's promise that he would be the father of many. It seemed like a pretty hopeless situation and highly unlikely that he would be the father of even one. Sarah laughed when she heard that God said she would bear a son.
Often times our circumstances can look pretty bleak, too. What we see around us just doesn't give us much hope. We're as good as dead in our situation.
But Abraham was fully persuaded (Rom. 4:21) and had unwavering faith. Regardless of what he saw around him, he chose instead to believe what he heard from God. He was absolutely certain and totally convinced that if God promised it, nothing else mattered. Isaac was proof of that.
We must be just as certain when it comes to the promises of God no matter what our circumstances are. That's faith! It is to believe that what God has promised, He is able to perform, even if what we see around us is contrary to what we know.
Remember, circumstances don't determine the outcome of any divine promise for our lives. God does.
He was about a hundred years old and as good as dead, according to this Scripture, with Sarah, a barren wife. Abraham's circumstances gave him no reason to believe God's promise that he would be the father of many. It seemed like a pretty hopeless situation and highly unlikely that he would be the father of even one. Sarah laughed when she heard that God said she would bear a son.
Often times our circumstances can look pretty bleak, too. What we see around us just doesn't give us much hope. We're as good as dead in our situation.
But Abraham was fully persuaded (Rom. 4:21) and had unwavering faith. Regardless of what he saw around him, he chose instead to believe what he heard from God. He was absolutely certain and totally convinced that if God promised it, nothing else mattered. Isaac was proof of that.
We must be just as certain when it comes to the promises of God no matter what our circumstances are. That's faith! It is to believe that what God has promised, He is able to perform, even if what we see around us is contrary to what we know.
Remember, circumstances don't determine the outcome of any divine promise for our lives. God does.
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Use The Ladder
Gen. 28:12 Then he (Jacob) dreamed, and behold, a ladder was set up on the earth, and its top reached to heaven; and there the angels of God were ascending and descending on it.
A ladder is a necessary tool that we find in almost every household. It gives us access to otherwise unreachable things.
In Jacob's dream, he saw a ladder that connected heaven and earth. And God the Father stood above it (v.13) while angels ascended and descended on it.
If anyone asks you how to get to heaven, tell them to use The Ladder.
A ladder is a necessary tool that we find in almost every household. It gives us access to otherwise unreachable things.
In Jacob's dream, he saw a ladder that connected heaven and earth. And God the Father stood above it (v.13) while angels ascended and descended on it.
Jesus spoke (Jn. 1:51) of Himself as the Son of Man upon whom the angels were ascending and descending. In other words, Jesus was and is the ladder! He is the connection between man and an otherwise unreachable God, our one (and only) Mediator (1 Tim. 2:5).
Jacob's dream so perfectly illustrates God above and sinful man, the object of His mercy, below being reconciled through Jesus Christ. There is no other way (Jn 14:6) for us to access God the Father except through His Son.
If anyone asks you how to get to heaven, tell them to use The Ladder.
Monday, May 2, 2011
A Promise Forever
Ps. 111:9 He has sent redemption to His people; He has commanded His covenant forever; Holy and awesome is His name.
Promises are meant to be kept. They are commitments that we expect will be honored by those who make them. Unfortunately though, we've probably all been on the receiving end of a broken or unfulfilled one. Maybe we've even made one ourselves that we weren't faithful to complete.
In ancient times, a covenant or promise involved the blood of an animal sacrifice. It's blood was shed as it was cut and slaughtered. In fact, the word covenant actually means cutting. Once the sacrifice was made, the covenant was ratified and sealed.
God made a promise to us that is found in Hebrews 8:10. He says, "I will be your God and you will be My people." And Jesus Christ was the perfect sacrifice that was made to seal God's promise. Through the shedding of His blood, this covenant of God's grace was put into effect.
Rejoice in knowing that God will remain faithful to His covenant (Ps. 105:8, 111:5).
He intends to keep His promise forever!
Promises are meant to be kept. They are commitments that we expect will be honored by those who make them. Unfortunately though, we've probably all been on the receiving end of a broken or unfulfilled one. Maybe we've even made one ourselves that we weren't faithful to complete.
In ancient times, a covenant or promise involved the blood of an animal sacrifice. It's blood was shed as it was cut and slaughtered. In fact, the word covenant actually means cutting. Once the sacrifice was made, the covenant was ratified and sealed.
God made a promise to us that is found in Hebrews 8:10. He says, "I will be your God and you will be My people." And Jesus Christ was the perfect sacrifice that was made to seal God's promise. Through the shedding of His blood, this covenant of God's grace was put into effect.
Rejoice in knowing that God will remain faithful to His covenant (Ps. 105:8, 111:5).
He intends to keep His promise forever!
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