Brad Cooper tweeted something several days ago that I really liked. In fact I liked it so much I wrote it down and now have it in my study Bible. It is a quote from St. Augustine:
"Therefore seek not to understand that you may believe, but believe that you may understand."
That has really given a new perspective to my study time. Before if I came across something difficult, I would read it for understanding with an attitude of I'm not sure I can believe this until I understand what God is trying to say. Now I start with an attitude of I AM sure I believe this God because You wrote it, help me to understand.
I have believed God's word for a long time but now I am going to focus more on believing. No wavering, no doubts.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Songs of Praise
I really love reading the Psalms of praise.
"Oh come, let us sing to the Lord...let us make a joyful noise to Him with songs of praise!" "Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker!" Psalm 95
"Oh sing to the Lord a new song..."; "Worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness; tremble before Him all the earth." Psalm 96
"The Lord reigns, let the earth rejoice..."; "Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous, and give thanks to His holy name!" Psalm 97
"Oh sing to the Lord a new song..."; "Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises!" Psalm 98
"The Lord reigns; let the peoples tremble!" "Let them praise Your great and awesome name! Holy is He!" "Exalt the Lord our God and worship at His holy mountain; for the Lord our God is holy!" Psalm 99
"Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth! Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into His presence with singing!" Psalm 100
"Oh come, let us sing to the Lord...let us make a joyful noise to Him with songs of praise!" "Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker!" Psalm 95
"Oh sing to the Lord a new song..."; "Worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness; tremble before Him all the earth." Psalm 96
"The Lord reigns, let the earth rejoice..."; "Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous, and give thanks to His holy name!" Psalm 97
"Oh sing to the Lord a new song..."; "Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises!" Psalm 98
"The Lord reigns; let the peoples tremble!" "Let them praise Your great and awesome name! Holy is He!" "Exalt the Lord our God and worship at His holy mountain; for the Lord our God is holy!" Psalm 99
"Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth! Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into His presence with singing!" Psalm 100
Friday, June 25, 2010
World Cup
This morning as I came to work I was listening to some reports about the World Cup. France and Italy, former winners, both lost in early rounds.
What was so amazing to me was the response from the home countries. The Minister of Sports in France got up in their Parliament or whatever it is called and spoke of the disgrace to the country and the damage to all the school children because their team did not fare well in a soccer tournament. A SOCCER TOURNAMENT!!
The French team did act badly and brought the loss on themselves by their refusal to practice. They found it necessary to sneak back into the country through a small, seldom used airport so they would not have to face the public or the reporters. The Sports Minister spoke of the loss of hope.
One guy who was interviewed spoke of the economic issues that had everyone depressed and now this - the depression just gets worse.
I guess it's true in America too that people let their identity and worth be tied into the success or failure of their favorite sports team whether college or professional. What a sad day for the French and the Italians and even for our world, that the hope of a country rides on the shoulders of a soccer team, or a baseball team, or any kind of team.
If our hope is in any person except the person of Jesus Christ, we are in a sad state indeed. People will always disappoint us but Jesus NEVER will.
What was so amazing to me was the response from the home countries. The Minister of Sports in France got up in their Parliament or whatever it is called and spoke of the disgrace to the country and the damage to all the school children because their team did not fare well in a soccer tournament. A SOCCER TOURNAMENT!!
The French team did act badly and brought the loss on themselves by their refusal to practice. They found it necessary to sneak back into the country through a small, seldom used airport so they would not have to face the public or the reporters. The Sports Minister spoke of the loss of hope.
One guy who was interviewed spoke of the economic issues that had everyone depressed and now this - the depression just gets worse.
I guess it's true in America too that people let their identity and worth be tied into the success or failure of their favorite sports team whether college or professional. What a sad day for the French and the Italians and even for our world, that the hope of a country rides on the shoulders of a soccer team, or a baseball team, or any kind of team.
If our hope is in any person except the person of Jesus Christ, we are in a sad state indeed. People will always disappoint us but Jesus NEVER will.
Doorkeeper
I listened to and sang the song "Better is one day in Your courts, better is one day in Your house, better is one day in Your courts than thousands elsewhere" until I thought if I hear that song again I'll scream. That used to be a huge youth group song.
So when I read it this morning in Psalm 84 it immediately brought that song to mind. I thought I know it's scripture but I really do hope I don't have to hear it ever again. I like the rest of verse 10 that says I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than to dwell in the tents of the wicked.
To me being a doorkeeper is a sign of servanthood, of surrender. The doorkeeper is not the big shot or the rich and famous or the CEO but rather one who is willing to just be there to open doors, to make entrance a little easier. Most times people don't even know or notice the doorkeeper - unless he is absent.
Dwelling in the tents of the wicked can certainly be fun and sometimes profitable, being a doorkeeper doesn't bring much excitement and not much reward in the eyes of the public. But serving people, especially in the house of God, has rewards that are so much greater than anything the world has to offer.
So when I read it this morning in Psalm 84 it immediately brought that song to mind. I thought I know it's scripture but I really do hope I don't have to hear it ever again. I like the rest of verse 10 that says I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than to dwell in the tents of the wicked.
To me being a doorkeeper is a sign of servanthood, of surrender. The doorkeeper is not the big shot or the rich and famous or the CEO but rather one who is willing to just be there to open doors, to make entrance a little easier. Most times people don't even know or notice the doorkeeper - unless he is absent.
Dwelling in the tents of the wicked can certainly be fun and sometimes profitable, being a doorkeeper doesn't bring much excitement and not much reward in the eyes of the public. But serving people, especially in the house of God, has rewards that are so much greater than anything the world has to offer.
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Restore Us
Our country is sorely in need of revival from God. His Church in America is sorely in need of revival. We - the American Church - are like the church at Laodicea that received a rebuke from Jesus for being lukewarm and self-satisfied.
Verses 3, 7, 19 of Psalm 80 are my prayer today for the Church. I like the way the Psalmist expands his view of God in these verses - from God to God Almighty to LORD God Almighty.
But of course the Church is people so that means me! I need a fresh, expanded view of God, a renewed fervor, a new sense of God's purpose in me. So this prayer is not just for the Church "out there" but for the life of God's Son "in here", in me...restore us, O LORD God Almighty! Let Your face shine upon us, that we may be saved.
Verses 3, 7, 19 of Psalm 80 are my prayer today for the Church. I like the way the Psalmist expands his view of God in these verses - from God to God Almighty to LORD God Almighty.
But of course the Church is people so that means me! I need a fresh, expanded view of God, a renewed fervor, a new sense of God's purpose in me. So this prayer is not just for the Church "out there" but for the life of God's Son "in here", in me...restore us, O LORD God Almighty! Let Your face shine upon us, that we may be saved.
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
He...They
I've read Psalm 78 several times over the last few days. This Psalm is an admonition to teach the next generation about God's faithfulness. But there is much about Israel's forgetfulness.
HE: established, appointed, commanded
They: turned back, did not keep, refused, forgot
HE: divided, led, split, gave, made
They: tested, spoke against, [doubted]
HE: was full of wrath BECAUSE
They: did not believe God and did not trust His saving power
HE: commanded, opened, rained, gave, sent, caused, let
They: sinned; did not believe
HE: made their days vanish, killed
They: repented, sought, remembered, flattered, lied
HE: atoned, restrained, remembered
They: rebelled, grieved, tested, provoked, did not remember
HE: performed His signs in Egypt, led out, brought, drove out, apportioned, settled
They: tested, rebelled, turned, acted treacherously, twisted, provoked, moved Him to jealousy
HE: wrath, rejected, forsook, delivered to captivity, gave over, vented, awoke, put to rout, put to shame, rejected, chose, built, founded
Nothing much ever really changes. God certainly doesn't. Even with all the rebellion and forgetfulness on the part of Israel, God still provided for needs, still atoned, still led. Yes, He punished sin but He never stopped caring for His people.
And nothing much changes with people either. We're still rebellious and testing and unbelieving during so many of our days...at least I seem to be. Help me, Lord, to be sold out to You so that I do believe, so that I have no desire to be rebellious or test You.
HE: established, appointed, commanded
They: turned back, did not keep, refused, forgot
HE: divided, led, split, gave, made
They: tested, spoke against, [doubted]
HE: was full of wrath BECAUSE
They: did not believe God and did not trust His saving power
HE: commanded, opened, rained, gave, sent, caused, let
They: sinned; did not believe
HE: made their days vanish, killed
They: repented, sought, remembered, flattered, lied
HE: atoned, restrained, remembered
They: rebelled, grieved, tested, provoked, did not remember
HE: performed His signs in Egypt, led out, brought, drove out, apportioned, settled
They: tested, rebelled, turned, acted treacherously, twisted, provoked, moved Him to jealousy
HE: wrath, rejected, forsook, delivered to captivity, gave over, vented, awoke, put to rout, put to shame, rejected, chose, built, founded
Nothing much ever really changes. God certainly doesn't. Even with all the rebellion and forgetfulness on the part of Israel, God still provided for needs, still atoned, still led. Yes, He punished sin but He never stopped caring for His people.
And nothing much changes with people either. We're still rebellious and testing and unbelieving during so many of our days...at least I seem to be. Help me, Lord, to be sold out to You so that I do believe, so that I have no desire to be rebellious or test You.
Itching Ears
Last night at home group, I mentioned something I had read on Todd Rhodes blog about the ordination of non-celibate gay and lesbian people to the clergy and to positions of leadership in "Christian" churches.
It really bothers me that those who profess Christ, and are in leadership positions in the church, uphold a persons sin rather confront it. ALL sinners - no matter what the particular sin - need to hear the gospel of Jesus Christ. We don't need to be told you're OK just as you are but rather your sin has consequences (the wages of sin is death) that separate you from a holy God who loves you so much He sent His son to die in your place.
As I was thinking about this on the way home, 2 Timothy 4:2-3 came to mind. Right now, itching ears want to hear that homosexuality is normal, acceptable. I have walked the path of sexual immorality and there is nothing normal about it, whether it is heterosexual or homosexual. It is emotionally, physically and spiritually devastating.
We all struggle with sin. The Bible says if anyone says he is without sin, he is a liar. That is why I am so thankful for Perry and NewSpring Church and leadership that believes God's word is Truth. I am grateful that week after week the message is the same - Jesus Christ! The church does not gain by embracing the lies of the evil one but by standing on the firm foundation of Jesus.
It really bothers me that those who profess Christ, and are in leadership positions in the church, uphold a persons sin rather confront it. ALL sinners - no matter what the particular sin - need to hear the gospel of Jesus Christ. We don't need to be told you're OK just as you are but rather your sin has consequences (the wages of sin is death) that separate you from a holy God who loves you so much He sent His son to die in your place.
As I was thinking about this on the way home, 2 Timothy 4:2-3 came to mind. Right now, itching ears want to hear that homosexuality is normal, acceptable. I have walked the path of sexual immorality and there is nothing normal about it, whether it is heterosexual or homosexual. It is emotionally, physically and spiritually devastating.
We all struggle with sin. The Bible says if anyone says he is without sin, he is a liar. That is why I am so thankful for Perry and NewSpring Church and leadership that believes God's word is Truth. I am grateful that week after week the message is the same - Jesus Christ! The church does not gain by embracing the lies of the evil one but by standing on the firm foundation of Jesus.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)