'“Is anyone thirsty?
Come and drink—
even if you have no money!
Come, take your choice of wine or milk—
it’s all free!
Why spend your money on food that does not give you strength?
Why pay for food that does you no good?
Listen to me, and you will eat what is good.
You will enjoy the finest food.
“Come to me with your ears wide open.
Listen, and you will find life.
I will make an everlasting covenant with you.
I will give you all the unfailing love I promised to David.' -Isaiah 55:1-3 (NLT)
Why is it that we use the phrase 'mountain top experiences' when describing a spiritual surge, or a time when we felt especially close to God? These things usually come in the form of an event, a church service, a conference, church camp, our first communion, or when we were baptized.
It seems that in the midst of our everyday lives... we don't feel close to God.
Only in special circumstances, moments, or environments. Why?
Is it because there are no TVs, cell phones, internet, or video games?
The very objects that keep us connected, keep us in tune, and keep us close to the rest of the world... aren't used, aren't even thought of in those 'mountain top experiences'...
And yet we meet Jesus in very intimate ways in those experiences.
Why are they singular, sporadic, and often short experiences though?
Often we are so busy and surrounded by so much noise, stress, and 'being connected to each other' that we don't hear or recognize God's call.
We lose connection to Him.
Sometimes we need to step outside of the noise and quiet our hearts in order to listen for God's voice.
It's in those quiet moments, that we can put technology aside and hear the simplicity of Jesus calling us to Him.
Our mountain top experience can become a mountain top reality and lifestyle.
Make communicating with God the top priority in your life.
"Come to me with your ears wide open.
Listen, and you will find life."
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Josiah: LooKING Around
Continued from an earlier post... Read Part 1 here.
'When the king heard the words of the Book of the Law, he tore his clothes. And the king commanded Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam the son of Shaphan, and Achbor the son of Micaiah, and Shaphan the secretary, and Asaiah the king’s servant, saying, "Go, inquire of the LORD for me, and for the people, and for all Judah, concerning the words of this book that has been found. For great is the wrath of the LORD that is kindled against us, because our fathers have not obeyed the words of this book, to do according to all that is written concerning us."
So Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam, and Achbor, and Shaphan, and Asaiah went to Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of Tikvah, son of Harhas, keeper of the wardrobe (now she lived in Jerusalem in the Second Quarter), and they talked with her. And she said to them, "Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel: 'Tell the man who sent you to me, Thus says the LORD, Behold, I will bring disaster upon this place and upon its inhabitants, all the words of the book that the king of Judah has read. Because they have forsaken me and have made offerings to other gods, that they might provoke me to anger with all the work of their hands, therefore my wrath will be kindled against this place, and it will not be quenched. But to the king of Judah, who sent you to inquire of the LORD, thus shall you say to him, Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel: Regarding the words that you have heard, because your heart was penitent, and you humbled yourself before the LORD, when you heard how I spoke against this place and against its inhabitants, that they should become a desolation and a curse, and you have torn your clothes and wept before me, I also have heard you, declares the LORD. Therefore, behold, I will gather you to your fathers, and you shall be gathered to your grave in peace, and your eyes shall not see all the disaster that I will bring upon this place.'" And they brought back word to the king.' -2 Kings 22:11-20
The King.
The leader of this nation, rips his royal robes and begins weeping.
Not simply a few tears. But weeping.
This is the man that sets the standard for manhood for this society in this time period.
Now-a-days we look to guys like Rambo, John McClain, the Governator... etc.
We look to our President.
Or king, or prime minister, as what a gentleman should be like.
But in ancient Israel... the king, was the Military stud. The king was the center of attention and infatuation of young women, the king was the role model that every guy wanted to be like.
Every society has it's pop stars, it's celebrities.
There is nothing new under the sun.
Yep. I used that phrase again.
Because other than the entire book of Ecclesiastes stating it's truth...
It's true.
People living in the 600s B.C.
...are just like people in 2011 A.D.
We aren't more sophisticated.
We aren't better.
We aren't smarter.
We are who we are because of people who lived before us.
Our advancements in technology started with their advancements.
Our culture traditions, started with their culture traditions.
We are all living one giant story.
And this story is a journey.
A journey through and for the ages.
This King is crying, uncontrollably.
He's crying for His people.
His people, who under his leadership, under his father's leadership, under his grandfather's leadership... have been living... slaves.
Slaves to sin.
Slaves to sinful habits and traditions.
The very people God chose to free... have turned their backs on Him and ran back into bondage.
And then Josiah does the unthinkable.
The unreasonable.
The one thing men did not ever do in those times...
He told his advisers and priests to go and inquire of the LORD, for him and for the people.
Wait.
Why is that so crazy?
Why is that prohibited?
Because...
They go to a prophetess.
They go to a woman.
Hilkiah, the High priest, the advisers of the King, and other priests of the temple go to a woman for advise over what to do.
And much more... Josiah listens to the advice.
Josiah... the King.
Now... remember the times... in that day and age, women weren't looked at as even equals to men... let alone to be leaders...physically or spiritually.
And maybe the church today could even draw from this. In fact, I think the church needs to understand this big time.
God chose Huldah, a woman, to prophesy regarding the destruction that would come after Josiah's death.
God chose Huldah to speak truth into Josiah's heart.
God chose Huldah to truly bring reformation into the Kingdom of Judah.
The King's officials, chose Huldah, a woman, in order to inquire of the LORD.
Women are of extreme importance, and leaders and other men who try to use the Bible in order to strangle or hold in submission are really just getting in God's way. The Bible is God's song to all people. God uses women as much as men, and we need to start keeping common scripture like 1 Timothy 2 that is used to hold women back, in context and in perspective.
And so we see two key cultural 'issues' in the story of Josiah.
What makes a man... a man?
What makes a woman... a woman?
Because society's answer isn't necessarily what we see in Josiah's story.
I love the Bible. I love it. I am so thankful that God decided to give us a song to memorize and sing of his wonders and His works. I am so glad that this song, this Bible, is a road map for us on this journey.
But sometimes when people quote the Bible... I want to puke.
Yes, I just said that.
Sometimes when people attack the Bible, the way they quote it just makes me want to throw up. Don't these people realize what they are saying?
No they don't.
Jesus said whoever has ears let them hear.
They don't realize the power in the words, thus they can't understand it.
But then there are people who use the Bible to back up their views on life issues. They use it to prove that God is a conservative. Or that God is a liberal. Or that God loves men, but hates women.
God is God. When we throw extra definitions upon Him... we are no longer dealing with God. We have to view Him through the Bible... not use the Bible to prove our points and view God through our beliefs.
The Bible has to open us up...
It has to read us.
Sometimes when I hear people say those things, or back up their beliefs with scripture I just begin to think, 'There is NO WAY that God meant that by that verse... No possible way.'
Several years ago, people used the Bible to defend their right to own slaves. People still defend that 'right' today.
People use the Bible to defend their right to be prejudiced.
People use the Bible to defend their right to live in sin.
When are we going to take the Bible as a whole and view God through His Word... instead of our beliefs?
That's what Josiah did.
He heard the Word of God and became completely devastated.
Is God wanting to mess us up?
Maybe devastation is what we need to finally relinquish control of ourselves, to surrender, and let God be God... not our nice, neat, classy version of Him that we have come to believe.
God is a loving Father.
But he is also a consuming fire.
God is a merciful King.
But he is also a Holy Ruler.
God is a humble giver.
But he is also a jealous Lord.
God is a promise keeper.
But he is also a sovereign entity.
His will. His Kingdom. His plan. His power.
His ownership and Lordship over us, is the only way this relationship will fly.
God is love.
And for the person who lives in complete submission to Him... that is all we need to know to live with Him.
For the Christian... this is the complete truth so far as we are concerned. We are walking in the light, and worshiping in Spirit and truth, not by our own might, but by His grace and His power alone.
But it is not the complete truth so far as the Bible is concerned...
For people who aren't Christians, or are 'neo-Christians' or are 'Sunday Christians'...
God is light, and God is Spirit.
And He demands His disciples to walk out of the darkness and into the light, and to remain there worshiping in Spirit and in truth. That should shake them, because...
This changes EVERYTHING.
Large denominations, groups, ministries, and millions of people worldwide come together for conventions and conferences every so often to reaffirm their statement of faith.
A few years ago one of these gatherings 'voted to reaffirm their view of the importance of the verse that says a wife's role is to submit to her husband.
It's a big deal to them.
It's what they are known for.
What about the verse before that verse?
What about the verse after it?
What about the verse that talks about women having authority over their husbands?
What about all of the marriages in which this verse has been used to oppress and mistreat women?
It is possible to make the Bible say whatever we want it to, isn't it?' (Velvet Elvis, 43-44, Pastor Rob Bell)
This mindset begins to shape our culture.
It did in Josiah's day.
However, when life takes a dramatic turn, and believe me, it will. How do we react?
What happens when we let the Word of God change the way we look at the world around us?
Do we worry about what is expected of us from society? Or do we allow God to speak to our hearts, no matter what?
For Josiah, God was telling him that the current way of life was wrong.
And that Josiah as a leader had to set a new standard.
For Huldah, God was telling her that this was her moment, her time to shed His grace upon others... that's how Grace abounds.
And she faithfully obeyed.
Declaring a prophesy that could have gotten her killed.
...yet there is hope. Because God postponed the wrath because of Josiah's reaction. He was penitent and he humbled himself...The King became submissive of a higher power, even though the culture viewed him as the final authority... and God told him he would not see the destruction. He would die in peace.
Josiah's story calls us to a complete radical change of our attitudes, our views of the world and the culture around us. How are we doing?
Is Christ our center? Does our life reflect the humility of Christ?
Why not?
Can we pinpoint what is holding us back?
Our view of other people... our view of ourselves... our view of God... and above all else... Our realization of how God views us... are what defines us.
God defines us as sinners, completely depraved and drowning in our own rebellion.
God redefines us through Christ by what he has done for us.
Because a King is crying for His people... a King died for His people... so he could redefine us.
His clothes were torn.
He humbled Himself to a Roman Crucifixion.
A veil was ripped.
Blood was poured.
Tears were shed.
To postpone a coming judgment... to re-route it onto Himself. Christ became our rebellion, our sinfulness, our idolatry, our absolute craziness.
To redefine his people.
Are we ready to be redefined?
Because God is ready to build His church off of this redefining.
'When the king heard the words of the Book of the Law, he tore his clothes. And the king commanded Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam the son of Shaphan, and Achbor the son of Micaiah, and Shaphan the secretary, and Asaiah the king’s servant, saying, "Go, inquire of the LORD for me, and for the people, and for all Judah, concerning the words of this book that has been found. For great is the wrath of the LORD that is kindled against us, because our fathers have not obeyed the words of this book, to do according to all that is written concerning us."
So Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam, and Achbor, and Shaphan, and Asaiah went to Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of Tikvah, son of Harhas, keeper of the wardrobe (now she lived in Jerusalem in the Second Quarter), and they talked with her. And she said to them, "Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel: 'Tell the man who sent you to me, Thus says the LORD, Behold, I will bring disaster upon this place and upon its inhabitants, all the words of the book that the king of Judah has read. Because they have forsaken me and have made offerings to other gods, that they might provoke me to anger with all the work of their hands, therefore my wrath will be kindled against this place, and it will not be quenched. But to the king of Judah, who sent you to inquire of the LORD, thus shall you say to him, Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel: Regarding the words that you have heard, because your heart was penitent, and you humbled yourself before the LORD, when you heard how I spoke against this place and against its inhabitants, that they should become a desolation and a curse, and you have torn your clothes and wept before me, I also have heard you, declares the LORD. Therefore, behold, I will gather you to your fathers, and you shall be gathered to your grave in peace, and your eyes shall not see all the disaster that I will bring upon this place.'" And they brought back word to the king.' -2 Kings 22:11-20
The King.
The leader of this nation, rips his royal robes and begins weeping.
Not simply a few tears. But weeping.
This is the man that sets the standard for manhood for this society in this time period.
Now-a-days we look to guys like Rambo, John McClain, the Governator... etc.
We look to our President.
Or king, or prime minister, as what a gentleman should be like.
But in ancient Israel... the king, was the Military stud. The king was the center of attention and infatuation of young women, the king was the role model that every guy wanted to be like.
Every society has it's pop stars, it's celebrities.
There is nothing new under the sun.
Yep. I used that phrase again.
Because other than the entire book of Ecclesiastes stating it's truth...
It's true.
People living in the 600s B.C.
...are just like people in 2011 A.D.
We aren't more sophisticated.
We aren't better.
We aren't smarter.
We are who we are because of people who lived before us.
Our advancements in technology started with their advancements.
Our culture traditions, started with their culture traditions.
We are all living one giant story.
And this story is a journey.
A journey through and for the ages.
This King is crying, uncontrollably.
He's crying for His people.
His people, who under his leadership, under his father's leadership, under his grandfather's leadership... have been living... slaves.
Slaves to sin.
Slaves to sinful habits and traditions.
The very people God chose to free... have turned their backs on Him and ran back into bondage.
And then Josiah does the unthinkable.
The unreasonable.
The one thing men did not ever do in those times...
He told his advisers and priests to go and inquire of the LORD, for him and for the people.
Wait.
Why is that so crazy?
Why is that prohibited?
Because...
They go to a prophetess.
They go to a woman.
Hilkiah, the High priest, the advisers of the King, and other priests of the temple go to a woman for advise over what to do.
And much more... Josiah listens to the advice.
Josiah... the King.
Now... remember the times... in that day and age, women weren't looked at as even equals to men... let alone to be leaders...physically or spiritually.
And maybe the church today could even draw from this. In fact, I think the church needs to understand this big time.
God chose Huldah, a woman, to prophesy regarding the destruction that would come after Josiah's death.
God chose Huldah to speak truth into Josiah's heart.
God chose Huldah to truly bring reformation into the Kingdom of Judah.
The King's officials, chose Huldah, a woman, in order to inquire of the LORD.
Women are of extreme importance, and leaders and other men who try to use the Bible in order to strangle or hold in submission are really just getting in God's way. The Bible is God's song to all people. God uses women as much as men, and we need to start keeping common scripture like 1 Timothy 2 that is used to hold women back, in context and in perspective.
And so we see two key cultural 'issues' in the story of Josiah.
What makes a man... a man?
What makes a woman... a woman?
Because society's answer isn't necessarily what we see in Josiah's story.
I love the Bible. I love it. I am so thankful that God decided to give us a song to memorize and sing of his wonders and His works. I am so glad that this song, this Bible, is a road map for us on this journey.
But sometimes when people quote the Bible... I want to puke.
Yes, I just said that.
Sometimes when people attack the Bible, the way they quote it just makes me want to throw up. Don't these people realize what they are saying?
No they don't.
Jesus said whoever has ears let them hear.
They don't realize the power in the words, thus they can't understand it.
But then there are people who use the Bible to back up their views on life issues. They use it to prove that God is a conservative. Or that God is a liberal. Or that God loves men, but hates women.
God is God. When we throw extra definitions upon Him... we are no longer dealing with God. We have to view Him through the Bible... not use the Bible to prove our points and view God through our beliefs.
The Bible has to open us up...
It has to read us.
Sometimes when I hear people say those things, or back up their beliefs with scripture I just begin to think, 'There is NO WAY that God meant that by that verse... No possible way.'
Several years ago, people used the Bible to defend their right to own slaves. People still defend that 'right' today.
People use the Bible to defend their right to be prejudiced.
People use the Bible to defend their right to live in sin.
When are we going to take the Bible as a whole and view God through His Word... instead of our beliefs?
That's what Josiah did.
He heard the Word of God and became completely devastated.
It messed Him up.
Is God wanting to mess us up?
Maybe devastation is what we need to finally relinquish control of ourselves, to surrender, and let God be God... not our nice, neat, classy version of Him that we have come to believe.
God is a loving Father.
But he is also a consuming fire.
God is a merciful King.
But he is also a Holy Ruler.
God is a humble giver.
But he is also a jealous Lord.
God is a promise keeper.
But he is also a sovereign entity.
His will. His Kingdom. His plan. His power.
His ownership and Lordship over us, is the only way this relationship will fly.
God is love.
And for the person who lives in complete submission to Him... that is all we need to know to live with Him.
For the Christian... this is the complete truth so far as we are concerned. We are walking in the light, and worshiping in Spirit and truth, not by our own might, but by His grace and His power alone.
But it is not the complete truth so far as the Bible is concerned...
For people who aren't Christians, or are 'neo-Christians' or are 'Sunday Christians'...
God is light, and God is Spirit.
And He demands His disciples to walk out of the darkness and into the light, and to remain there worshiping in Spirit and in truth. That should shake them, because...
This changes EVERYTHING.
Large denominations, groups, ministries, and millions of people worldwide come together for conventions and conferences every so often to reaffirm their statement of faith.
A few years ago one of these gatherings 'voted to reaffirm their view of the importance of the verse that says a wife's role is to submit to her husband.
It's a big deal to them.
It's what they are known for.
What about the verse before that verse?
What about the verse after it?
What about the verse that talks about women having authority over their husbands?
What about all of the marriages in which this verse has been used to oppress and mistreat women?
It is possible to make the Bible say whatever we want it to, isn't it?' (Velvet Elvis, 43-44, Pastor Rob Bell)
This mindset begins to shape our culture.
It did in Josiah's day.
However, when life takes a dramatic turn, and believe me, it will. How do we react?
What happens when we let the Word of God change the way we look at the world around us?
Do we worry about what is expected of us from society? Or do we allow God to speak to our hearts, no matter what?
For Josiah, God was telling him that the current way of life was wrong.
And that Josiah as a leader had to set a new standard.
For Huldah, God was telling her that this was her moment, her time to shed His grace upon others... that's how Grace abounds.
And she faithfully obeyed.
Declaring a prophesy that could have gotten her killed.
...yet there is hope. Because God postponed the wrath because of Josiah's reaction. He was penitent and he humbled himself...The King became submissive of a higher power, even though the culture viewed him as the final authority... and God told him he would not see the destruction. He would die in peace.
Josiah's story calls us to a complete radical change of our attitudes, our views of the world and the culture around us. How are we doing?
Is Christ our center? Does our life reflect the humility of Christ?
Why not?
Can we pinpoint what is holding us back?
Our view of other people... our view of ourselves... our view of God... and above all else... Our realization of how God views us... are what defines us.
God defines us as sinners, completely depraved and drowning in our own rebellion.
God redefines us through Christ by what he has done for us.
Because a King is crying for His people... a King died for His people... so he could redefine us.
His clothes were torn.
He humbled Himself to a Roman Crucifixion.
A veil was ripped.
Blood was poured.
Tears were shed.
To postpone a coming judgment... to re-route it onto Himself. Christ became our rebellion, our sinfulness, our idolatry, our absolute craziness.
To redefine his people.
Are we ready to be redefined?
Because God is ready to build His church off of this redefining.
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Simple Sunday: Salt
A poem presented by Curtis Meyer at Diverse Word Tuesdays at Dandelion Communitea Café in Orlando, Fl on March 29, 2011.
I was there.
"You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet." -Matthew 5:13 ESV
How salty are we?
How salty can we be?
Something to think about for this week.
I was there.
"You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet." -Matthew 5:13 ESV
How salty are we?
How salty can we be?
Something to think about for this week.
Friday, May 13, 2011
Missions
Please pray for my friends, Kirk, Brian and Shirley, in their mission trip to India this summer, you can follow their progress and their story here.
Also I have other friends, Alex and John, who are going to Kazakhstan this summer for a month, you can find out more by clicking the donate button on the right column.
And I have a friend named Megan who is going to Cambodia. You can find out more here.
Also I have other friends, Alex and John, who are going to Kazakhstan this summer for a month, you can find out more by clicking the donate button on the right column.
And I have a friend named Megan who is going to Cambodia. You can find out more here.
Monday, May 9, 2011
Truth
These next few weeks my posts are going to be asking a lot of questions, and I'm not going to be answering many of them, I'm wanting to grow as we ask questions, as we probe the scriptures, and allow our questions, uncertainties and even doubts, open us up for Christ to shine in and speak His truth to us all.
I want to be like the Bereans in Acts 17:
"These people were more willing to listen than the people in Thessalonica. The Bereans were eager to hear what Paul and Silas said and studied the Scriptures every day to find out if these things were true." (vs. 11 NCV)
What is truth?
I'm not here to try and prove the Bible's truth to anyone. My point in this post is not that.
My point of this blog from my very first post to now, is not evangelism, nor is it apologetics. Jesus told us to go into all the world and make disciples of all nations. For now. My purpose is discipleship.
Because I need it.
We all need it.
And I believe the church is lacking it.
So what is truth?
Possibly the question above all questions.
It's such a simple question... only three words.
Yet answering it... is not so easy.
Why does scripture repeatedly tell us to be able to give an answer for the truth we know?
"See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ." -Colossians 2:8 (ESV)
“Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.” -Colossians 4:5-6 (ESV)
"but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect," -1 Peter 3:15 (ESV)
Sunday School answer: Because it's important! Jesus wants us to.
And actually, Jesus was faced with this question... it was his last 'sermon', when he spoke to Pilate.
Why out of all of the things Jesus could have said in answer to Pilate does he talk about 'truth' in John 18?
'Pilate then went back inside the palace, summoned Jesus and asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?”
“Is that your own idea,” Jesus asked, “or did others talk to you about me?”
“Am I a Jew?” Pilate replied. “Your own people and chief priests handed you over to me. What is it you have done?”
Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place.”
“You are a king, then!” said Pilate.
Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.”
“What is truth?” retorted Pilate. With this he went out again to the Jews gathered there and said, “I find no basis for a charge against him. But it is your custom for me to release to you one prisoner at the time of the Passover. Do you want me to release ‘the king of the Jews’?”
They shouted back, “No, not him! Give us Barabbas!” Now Barabbas had taken part in an uprising.' -John 18:33-40
There is the question again, straight out the mouth of Pilate.
Jesus said he was born and came into the world to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to His voice.
What is truth?
What is it that Jesus testified to?
Jesus testified a lot of things.
Everyone on the side of truth listens to His voice.
So...
Everything Jesus says is truth.
Everything Jesus breathed is truth.
Everything Jesus did is truth.
Jesus' life is truth.
'I am the Way, the truth, and the Life.' -John 14:6
The Gospel is Jesus' life. Jesus' testimony.
And if it's truth really is true.
Then it means everything.
EVERYTHING.
The Bible's truth is important in any corrupt culture. When people want to twist the Gospel of Jesus to fit their own agendas and lifestyles, Christians have to stand strong for and in the simple truths of of who Jesus is.
We cling to truth, not to win arguments, but to win souls.
How do we let God's truth change us?
Hebrews 4:12 tells us,
"For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart."
Paul wrote to Timothy that, "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." -2 Timothy 3:16-17
'For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance. That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and especially of those who believe.
Command and teach these things. Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity. Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching. Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through prophecy when the body of elders laid their hands on you.
Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.' -1 Timothy 4:8-17
Labor.
Strive.
For God's truth.
For the Hope that we have.
Command and teach.
Live a life reflecting the truth we claim.
Don't neglect the gifts God has given you.
Be diligent.
Surrender your life to this truth... so that everyone can see.
Persevere in the truth, the doctrine of Jesus Christ.
You want to change your life for Christ?
You want to change the world for Christ?
Bear God's truth, as He bore the cross.
Have faith in Truth... Because the Truth will set you free.
So we are still faced with the question of 'What is truth?'
Philosophy will tell us, that truth is what we make of it, that it is different for all people.
Culture will tell us there is no truth.
Satan will tell us that truth is what our feelings tell us.
Philosophy changes.
Culture changes.
Feelings change.
"See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ." -Colossians 2:8 (ESV)
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
His word is alive.
Has remained unchanged and unchanging.
God lasts.
"Everyone on the side of truth listens to me." -Jesus
What is truth?
I want to be like the Bereans in Acts 17:
"These people were more willing to listen than the people in Thessalonica. The Bereans were eager to hear what Paul and Silas said and studied the Scriptures every day to find out if these things were true." (vs. 11 NCV)
What is truth?
I'm not here to try and prove the Bible's truth to anyone. My point in this post is not that.
My point of this blog from my very first post to now, is not evangelism, nor is it apologetics. Jesus told us to go into all the world and make disciples of all nations. For now. My purpose is discipleship.
Because I need it.
We all need it.
And I believe the church is lacking it.
So what is truth?
Possibly the question above all questions.
It's such a simple question... only three words.
Yet answering it... is not so easy.
Why does scripture repeatedly tell us to be able to give an answer for the truth we know?
"See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ." -Colossians 2:8 (ESV)
“Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.” -Colossians 4:5-6 (ESV)
"but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect," -1 Peter 3:15 (ESV)
Sunday School answer: Because it's important! Jesus wants us to.
And actually, Jesus was faced with this question... it was his last 'sermon', when he spoke to Pilate.
Why out of all of the things Jesus could have said in answer to Pilate does he talk about 'truth' in John 18?
'Pilate then went back inside the palace, summoned Jesus and asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?”
“Is that your own idea,” Jesus asked, “or did others talk to you about me?”
“Am I a Jew?” Pilate replied. “Your own people and chief priests handed you over to me. What is it you have done?”
Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place.”
“You are a king, then!” said Pilate.
Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.”
“What is truth?” retorted Pilate. With this he went out again to the Jews gathered there and said, “I find no basis for a charge against him. But it is your custom for me to release to you one prisoner at the time of the Passover. Do you want me to release ‘the king of the Jews’?”
They shouted back, “No, not him! Give us Barabbas!” Now Barabbas had taken part in an uprising.' -John 18:33-40
There is the question again, straight out the mouth of Pilate.
There is nothing new under the sun.
Jesus said he was born and came into the world to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to His voice.
What is truth?
What is it that Jesus testified to?
Jesus testified a lot of things.
Everyone on the side of truth listens to His voice.
So...
Everything Jesus says is truth.
Everything Jesus breathed is truth.
Everything Jesus did is truth.
Jesus' life is truth.
'I am the Way, the truth, and the Life.' -John 14:6
The Gospel is Jesus' life. Jesus' testimony.
And if it's truth really is true.
Then it means everything.
EVERYTHING.
The Bible's truth is important in any corrupt culture. When people want to twist the Gospel of Jesus to fit their own agendas and lifestyles, Christians have to stand strong for and in the simple truths of of who Jesus is.
This is vital to the mission of Christ.
We cling to truth, not to win arguments, but to win souls.
How do we let God's truth change us?
Hebrews 4:12 tells us,
"For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart."
Paul wrote to Timothy that, "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." -2 Timothy 3:16-17
'For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance. That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and especially of those who believe.
Command and teach these things. Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity. Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching. Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through prophecy when the body of elders laid their hands on you.
Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.' -1 Timothy 4:8-17
Labor.
Strive.
For God's truth.
For the Hope that we have.
Command and teach.
Live a life reflecting the truth we claim.
Don't neglect the gifts God has given you.
Be diligent.
Surrender your life to this truth... so that everyone can see.
Persevere in the truth, the doctrine of Jesus Christ.
You want to change your life for Christ?
You want to change the world for Christ?
Bear God's truth, as He bore the cross.
Have faith in Truth... Because the Truth will set you free.
So we are still faced with the question of 'What is truth?'
Philosophy will tell us, that truth is what we make of it, that it is different for all people.
Culture will tell us there is no truth.
Satan will tell us that truth is what our feelings tell us.
Philosophy changes.
Culture changes.
Feelings change.
"See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ." -Colossians 2:8 (ESV)
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
His word is alive.
Has remained unchanged and unchanging.
God lasts.
"Everyone on the side of truth listens to me." -Jesus
What is truth?
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Simple Sunday: The Room
To continue this weekend on the topic of Grace... Please enjoy and consider this dream that Joshua Harris once had, really puts things in perspective. Christians are far from perfect people, but we live in and through God's Grace.
In that place between wakefulness and dreams, I found myself in the room. There were no distinguishing features save for the one wall covered with small index-card files. They were like the ones in libraries that list titles by author or subject in alphabetical order. But these files, which stretched from floor to ceiling and seemingly endlessly in either direction, had very different headings. As I drew near the wall of files, the first to catch my attention was one that read "Girls I Have Liked." I opened it and began flipping through the cards. I quickly shut it, shocked to realize that I recognized the names written on each one.
And then without being told, I knew exactly where I was. This lifeless room with its small files was a crude catalog system for my life. Here were written the actions of my every moment, big and small, in a detail my memory couldn't match.
A sense of wonder and curiosity, coupled with horror, stirred within me as I began randomly opening files and exploring their content. Some brought joy and sweet memories; others a sense of shame and regret so intense that I would look over my shoulder to see if anyone was watching. A file named "Friends" was next to one marked "Friends I Have Betrayed."
The titles ranged from the mundane to the outright weird. "Books I Have Read," "Lies I Have Told," "Comfort I Have Given," "Jokes I Have Laughed At." Some were almost hilarious in their exactness: "Things I've Yelled at My Brothers." Others I couldn't laugh at: "Things I Have Done in My Anger," "Things I Have Muttered Under My Breath at My Parents." I never ceased to be surprised by the contents. Often there were many more cards than I expected. Sometimes fewer than I hoped.
I was overwhelmed by the sheer volume of the life I had lived. Could it be possible that I had the time in my 20 years to write each of these thousands or even millions of cards? But each card confirmed this truth. Each was written in my own handwriting. Each signed with my signature.
When I pulled out the file marked "Songs I Have Listened To," I realized the files grew to contain their contents. The cards were packed tightly, and yet after two or three yards, I hadn't found the end of the file. I shut it, shamed, not so much by the quality of music, but more by the vast amount of time I knew that file represented.
When I came to a file marked "Lustful Thoughts," I felt a chill run through my body. I pulled the file out only an inch, not willing to test its size, and drew out a card. I shuddered at its detailed content. I felt sick to think that such a moment had been recorded.
An almost animal rage broke on me. One thought dominated my mind: "No one must ever see these cards! No one must ever see this room! I have to destroy them!" In an insane frenzy I yanked the file out. Its size didn't matter now. I had to empty it and burn the cards. But as I took it at one end and began pounding it on the floor, I could not dislodge a single card. I became desperate and pulled out a card, only to find it as strong as steel when I tried to tear it
Defeated and utterly helpless, I returned the file to its slot. Leaning my forehead against the wall, I let out a long, self-pitying sigh. And then I saw it. The title bore "People I Have Shared the Gospel With." The handle was brighter than those around it, newer, almost unused. I pulled on its handle and a small box not more than three inches long fell into my hands. I could count the cards it contained on one hand.
And then the tears came. I began to weep. Sobs so deep that they hurt started in my stomach and shook through me. I fell on my knees and cried. I cried out of shame, from the overwhelming shame of it all. The rows of file shelves swirled in my tear-filled eyes. No one must ever, ever know of this room. I must lock it up and hide the key.
But then as I pushed away the tears, I saw Him. No, please not Him. Not here. Oh, anyone but Jesus.
I watched helplessly as He began to open the files and read the cards. I couldn't bear to watch His response. And in the moments I could bring myself to look at His face, I saw a sorrow deeper than my own. He seemed to intuitively go to the worst boxes. Why did He have to read every one?
Finally He turned and looked at me from across the room. He looked at me with pity in His eyes. But this was a pity that didn't anger me. I dropped my head, covered my face with my hands and began to cry again. He walked over and put His arm around me. He could have said so many things. But He didn't say a word. He just cried with me.
Then He got up and walked back to the wall of files. Starting at one end of the room, He took out a file and, one by one, began to sign His name over mine on each card.
"No!" I shouted rushing to Him. All I could find to say was "No, no," as I pulled the card from Him. His name shouldn't be on these cards. But there it was, written in red so rich, so dark, so alive. The name of Jesus covered mine. It was written with His blood.
He gently took the card back. He smiled a sad smile and began to sign the cards. I don't think I'll ever understand how He did it so quickly, but the next instant it seemed I heard Him close the last file and walk back to my side. He placed His hand on my shoulder and said, "It is finished."
I stood up, and He led me out of the room. There was no lock on its door. There were still cards to be written.
By Joshua Harris. Orginally published in New Attitude Magazine. Copyright New Attitude, 1995.
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Josiah: LooKING Back
If you could have one day with any Bible character, just to sit, talk, and to ask them any questions you have, who would it be?
And no you can't choose Jesus.
The one time where Jesus doesn't count... is now.
And no that's not blasphemy... I checked.
Jesus is cool with this idea.
Most people would pick Paul. Or Peter.
Both awesome choices...
Some would choose one of the other Apostles, or Timothy, or Luke.
I know someone who would choose Mary the mother of Jesus.
Another who would choose Mary Magdalene.
Some would choose the writer of Hebrews, just so they could know who it was.
And here's the thing... I said the entire Bible... and very few of us would think of the Old Testament.
How about just the Old Testament then...
I know my friend Jacob would pick one of the judges... just because he thinks their stories are so cool.
A lot of people would then say, Abraham, King David, Solomon, or Daniel... because their stories get a lot of attention... you don't have to be a Christian to know those men's stories. Some women may pick Esther... and honestly she's in the top three of my list as well... but the guy I think I would choose is King Josiah.
Now I know I already wrote a post on this guy... but he's one of my favorite characters in the Old Testament so... I'm allowed.
Josiah is a great role model when it comes to leadership.
Josiah is a great role model when it comes to responding to God's word.
And I wonder how many of us have ever heard the entire story of Josiah... because though I have been a 'fan' of the guy for a long time, it was only recently that I have actually heard the entire story...
2 Kings 22:1-2 tells us,
Josiah was eight years old when he became king, and he reigned thirty-one years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Jedidah the daughter of Adaiah of Bozkath. And he did what was right in the sight of the LORD, and walked in all the ways of his father David; he did not turn aside to the right hand or to the left.
Verse 2 is of extreme importance and stands out like crazy... because before and after this all we read is about how all of these kings did what was evil in the sight of the LORD... constantly.
King of Israel did evil...
King of Judah did evil...
Back and forth.
And then there is Josiah, a kid, becoming king... with only his grandpa as an example of how to rule. And his grandpa, Manasseh, was cited as being the most wicked king in all of history. Now it is true that he had his father too... but Amon just followed in Manasseh's footsteps, and was so evil that he only reigned two years. His servants conspired against him and killed him.
So this leaves Josiah. A king expected to continue in the footsteps of his father and grandfather... hand selected by the people of Judah among all of Amon's sons to replace the dead king.
Then the servants of Amon conspired against him, and killed the king in his own house. But the people of the land executed all those who had conspired against King Amon. Then the people of the land made his son Josiah king in his place. -2 Kings 21:23-24
But here is where I want to bring up a theological question...
Did the people choose Josiah?
Or did God?
Is Josiah a great example of remaining steadfast to God despite every family circumstance... despite the fact that he had no Godly men in his life... and maybe, just maybe, a Godly mother... but even that isn't certain.
Or is Josiah a great example of God's grace and his selection, his choosing of us despite our past, our circumstances, and our failures?
Remember this guy is only 8 years old when he begins his reign.
What 8 year old do you know capable of running a business, let alone a country?
I won't answer the question... because I do not have the answers but I want to pose it to make us all think about the mystery that is our God.
So why bring up the question...it's a deep question about predestination and free will at the heart of it... because the full story of Josiah actually starts generations before Josiah was even thought of, generations before he was born... back in 1 Kings 13...
And for some side knowledge 1 Kings and 2 Kings used to be one large book. In translation, the Greeks split it into two.
1 Kings 13:1-10 reads,
'And behold, a man of God went from Judah to Bethel by the word of the LORD, and Jeroboam stood by the altar to burn incense. Then he cried out against the altar by the word of the LORD, and said, “O altar, altar! Thus says the LORD: ‘Behold, a child, Josiah by name, shall be born to the house of David; and on you he shall sacrifice the priests of the high places who burn incense on you, and men’s bones shall be burned on you.’” And he gave a sign the same day, saying, “This is the sign which the LORD has spoken: Surely the altar shall split apart, and the ashes on it shall be poured out.”
So it came to pass when King Jeroboam heard the saying of the man of God, who cried out against the altar in Bethel, that he stretched out his hand from the altar, saying, “Arrest him!” Then his hand, which he stretched out toward him, withered, so that he could not pull it back to himself. The altar also was split apart, and the ashes poured out from the altar, according to the sign which the man of God had given by the word of the LORD. Then the king answered and said to the man of God, “Please entreat the favor of the LORD your God, and pray for me, that my hand may be restored to me.”
So the man of God entreated the LORD, and the king’s hand was restored to him, and became as before. Then the king said to the man of God, “Come home with me and refresh yourself, and I will give you a reward.”
But the man of God said to the king, “If you were to give me half your house, I would not go in with you; nor would I eat bread nor drink water in this place. For so it was commanded me by the word of the LORD, saying, ‘You shall not eat bread, nor drink water, nor return by the same way you came.’” So he went another way and did not return by the way he came to Bethel.'
This man of God... who remains nameless, dies later that day, due to a lie by another prophet of God... and ends up disobeying... he returns to Bethel and gets killed by a lion just passing through.
Something I've noticed about God... every time he has to do something that He dislikes, such as killing people... or taking out an entire nation... He does it awesomely. He does it like no person could.
I think God also has a sense of humor regarding it all.
A hungry lion was just passing through.
But back to the story...
The other prophet then has this to say, 1 Kings 13:31-32,
So it was, after he had buried him, that he spoke to his sons, saying, “When I am dead, then bury me in the tomb where the man of God is buried; lay my bones beside his bones. For the saying which he cried out by the word of the LORD against the altar in Bethel, and against all the shrines on the high places which are in the cities of Samaria, will surely come to pass.”
This man of God, prophesies that a son of David, a king in the future named Josiah, will destroy the altars on the mountains, and will truly rid the land of idolatry.
And this other prophet... who was a little sketchy because he lied... but nonetheless still a prophet of God, states that what the man of God cried out will come to pass... just reiterating that God is at work doing something bigger, and that what he declares will come to pass.
What we can pull from this, is that even though we don't have prophets walking around declaring things and people that will lead up to Jesus... because He has already come, fulfilling all prophesies and we have His written word as our only needed guide... we can know that God is behind the scenes, and sometimes standing right in front of us doing something bigger.
Something more.
Something that He wants to involve us in.
Something that is about reaching the world.
In the eighteenth year of King Josiah, the king sent Shaphan the son of Azaliah, son of Meshullam, the secretary, to the house of the LORD, saying, "Go up to Hilkiah the high priest, that he may count the money that has been brought into the house of the LORD, which the keepers of the threshold have collected from the people. And let it be given into the hand of the workmen who have the oversight of the house of the LORD, and let them give it to the workmen who are at the house of the LORD, repairing the house (that is, to the carpenters, and to the builders, and to the masons), and let them use it for buying timber and quarried stone to repair the house. But no accounting shall be asked from them for the money that is delivered into their hand, for they deal honestly."
And Hilkiah the high priest said to Shaphan the secretary, "I have found the Book of the Law in the house of the LORD." And Hilkiah gave the book to Shaphan, and he read it. And Shaphan the secretary came to the king, and reported to the king, "Your servants have emptied out the money that was found in the house and have delivered it into the hand of the workmen who have the oversight of the house of the LORD." Then Shaphan the secretary told the king, "Hilkiah the priest has given me a book." And Shaphan read it before the king. -2 Kings 22:3-10
Something happened here.
And it happened because of construction to the temple of the LORD.
A copy of the Law, what most scholars believe to have been the Pentateuch that had countless copies destroyed under the idolatrous reign of Mannaseh... had been uncovered.
These were the copies King Solomon had placed in the foundation of the temple when it was first dedicated to the LORD, as was custom to do in that time... a practice that still occasionally occurs today, (ie: Yankee Stadium, when in construction laid a few jerseys in the foundation)
But Hilkiah the priest found it, because Josiah decided to put money into fixing the temple. Josiah chose God and God's house before anything else. He then made clear that there was to be no accounting.
No accounting because the people deal honestly.
No accounting... because Josiah doesn't care how much money it takes.
He knows the people will make the repairs to the best of their ability, and that they will only take their fair share... Josiah didn't set a price.
Josiah didn't say only certain repairs.
Josiah wanted the whole temple repaired.
It had been in decay for three generations of Kings.
And Josiah didn't care what it cost him, or the kingdom.
'When the king heard the words of the Book of the Law, he tore his clothes. And the king commanded Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam the son of Shaphan, and Achbor the son of Micaiah, and Shaphan the secretary, and Asaiah the king’s servant, saying, "Go, inquire of the LORD for me, and for the people, and for all Judah, concerning the words of this book that has been found. For great is the wrath of the LORD that is kindled against us, because our fathers have not obeyed the words of this book, to do according to all that is written concerning us."
So Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam, and Achbor, and Shaphan, and Asaiah went to Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of Tikvah, son of Harhas, keeper of the wardrobe (now she lived in Jerusalem in the Second Quarter), and they talked with her. And she said to them, "Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel: 'Tell the man who sent you to me, Thus says the LORD, Behold, I will bring disaster upon this place and upon its inhabitants, all the words of the book that the king of Judah has read. Because they have forsaken me and have made offerings to other gods, that they might provoke me to anger with all the work of their hands, therefore my wrath will be kindled against this place, and it will not be quenched. But to the king of Judah, who sent you to inquire of the LORD, thus shall you say to him, Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel: Regarding the words that you have heard, because your heart was penitent, and you humbled yourself before the LORD, when you heard how I spoke against this place and against its inhabitants, that they should become a desolation and a curse, and you have torn your clothes and wept before me, I also have heard you, declares the LORD. Therefore, behold, I will gather you to your fathers, and you shall be gathered to your grave in peace, and your eyes shall not see all the disaster that I will bring upon this place.'" And they brought back word to the king.' -2 Kings 22:11-20
Josiah hears the word of the Lord and rips his clothes. A symbol of his heart being ripped, a symbol of repentance and deep remorse. He hears the literal word and law of the God he is worshiping, he understands who this God is that he is worshiping.
All this time he had been worshiping a God...
God revealed himself.
Josiah is a great role model when it comes to leadership.
He put God first. He put the temple of the LORD first. He gave the temple his best and his most.
And people followed him.
Josiah is a great role model when it comes to responding to God's word.
We have the Bible around us all the time. We have a full canon of scripture.
When we read it and it speaks to us, do we react the way Josiah reacts?
Do we go to inquire of the LORD in those times?
This is not even half of the story.
This post doesn't cover half of the main story. Not even half of the underlying story.
I hope you can stick with me through the story of King Josiah as we ponder many of the questions, and themes of scripture. I think God reveals himself multiple times and in very many ways throughout his story.
To be continued...
(All Scripture in this post was from the English Standard Version)
And no you can't choose Jesus.
The one time where Jesus doesn't count... is now.
And no that's not blasphemy... I checked.
Jesus is cool with this idea.
Most people would pick Paul. Or Peter.
Both awesome choices...
Some would choose one of the other Apostles, or Timothy, or Luke.
I know someone who would choose Mary the mother of Jesus.
Another who would choose Mary Magdalene.
Some would choose the writer of Hebrews, just so they could know who it was.
And here's the thing... I said the entire Bible... and very few of us would think of the Old Testament.
How about just the Old Testament then...
I know my friend Jacob would pick one of the judges... just because he thinks their stories are so cool.
A lot of people would then say, Abraham, King David, Solomon, or Daniel... because their stories get a lot of attention... you don't have to be a Christian to know those men's stories. Some women may pick Esther... and honestly she's in the top three of my list as well... but the guy I think I would choose is King Josiah.
Now I know I already wrote a post on this guy... but he's one of my favorite characters in the Old Testament so... I'm allowed.
Josiah is a great role model when it comes to leadership.
Josiah is a great role model when it comes to responding to God's word.
And I wonder how many of us have ever heard the entire story of Josiah... because though I have been a 'fan' of the guy for a long time, it was only recently that I have actually heard the entire story...
2 Kings 22:1-2 tells us,
Josiah was eight years old when he became king, and he reigned thirty-one years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Jedidah the daughter of Adaiah of Bozkath. And he did what was right in the sight of the LORD, and walked in all the ways of his father David; he did not turn aside to the right hand or to the left.
Verse 2 is of extreme importance and stands out like crazy... because before and after this all we read is about how all of these kings did what was evil in the sight of the LORD... constantly.
King of Israel did evil...
King of Judah did evil...
Back and forth.
And then there is Josiah, a kid, becoming king... with only his grandpa as an example of how to rule. And his grandpa, Manasseh, was cited as being the most wicked king in all of history. Now it is true that he had his father too... but Amon just followed in Manasseh's footsteps, and was so evil that he only reigned two years. His servants conspired against him and killed him.
So this leaves Josiah. A king expected to continue in the footsteps of his father and grandfather... hand selected by the people of Judah among all of Amon's sons to replace the dead king.
Then the servants of Amon conspired against him, and killed the king in his own house. But the people of the land executed all those who had conspired against King Amon. Then the people of the land made his son Josiah king in his place. -2 Kings 21:23-24
But here is where I want to bring up a theological question...
Did the people choose Josiah?
Or did God?
Is Josiah a great example of remaining steadfast to God despite every family circumstance... despite the fact that he had no Godly men in his life... and maybe, just maybe, a Godly mother... but even that isn't certain.
Or is Josiah a great example of God's grace and his selection, his choosing of us despite our past, our circumstances, and our failures?
Remember this guy is only 8 years old when he begins his reign.
What 8 year old do you know capable of running a business, let alone a country?
I won't answer the question... because I do not have the answers but I want to pose it to make us all think about the mystery that is our God.
So why bring up the question...it's a deep question about predestination and free will at the heart of it... because the full story of Josiah actually starts generations before Josiah was even thought of, generations before he was born... back in 1 Kings 13...
And for some side knowledge 1 Kings and 2 Kings used to be one large book. In translation, the Greeks split it into two.
1 Kings 13:1-10 reads,
'And behold, a man of God went from Judah to Bethel by the word of the LORD, and Jeroboam stood by the altar to burn incense. Then he cried out against the altar by the word of the LORD, and said, “O altar, altar! Thus says the LORD: ‘Behold, a child, Josiah by name, shall be born to the house of David; and on you he shall sacrifice the priests of the high places who burn incense on you, and men’s bones shall be burned on you.’” And he gave a sign the same day, saying, “This is the sign which the LORD has spoken: Surely the altar shall split apart, and the ashes on it shall be poured out.”
So it came to pass when King Jeroboam heard the saying of the man of God, who cried out against the altar in Bethel, that he stretched out his hand from the altar, saying, “Arrest him!” Then his hand, which he stretched out toward him, withered, so that he could not pull it back to himself. The altar also was split apart, and the ashes poured out from the altar, according to the sign which the man of God had given by the word of the LORD. Then the king answered and said to the man of God, “Please entreat the favor of the LORD your God, and pray for me, that my hand may be restored to me.”
So the man of God entreated the LORD, and the king’s hand was restored to him, and became as before. Then the king said to the man of God, “Come home with me and refresh yourself, and I will give you a reward.”
But the man of God said to the king, “If you were to give me half your house, I would not go in with you; nor would I eat bread nor drink water in this place. For so it was commanded me by the word of the LORD, saying, ‘You shall not eat bread, nor drink water, nor return by the same way you came.’” So he went another way and did not return by the way he came to Bethel.'
This man of God... who remains nameless, dies later that day, due to a lie by another prophet of God... and ends up disobeying... he returns to Bethel and gets killed by a lion just passing through.
Something I've noticed about God... every time he has to do something that He dislikes, such as killing people... or taking out an entire nation... He does it awesomely. He does it like no person could.
I think God also has a sense of humor regarding it all.
A hungry lion was just passing through.
But back to the story...
The other prophet then has this to say, 1 Kings 13:31-32,
So it was, after he had buried him, that he spoke to his sons, saying, “When I am dead, then bury me in the tomb where the man of God is buried; lay my bones beside his bones. For the saying which he cried out by the word of the LORD against the altar in Bethel, and against all the shrines on the high places which are in the cities of Samaria, will surely come to pass.”
This man of God, prophesies that a son of David, a king in the future named Josiah, will destroy the altars on the mountains, and will truly rid the land of idolatry.
And this other prophet... who was a little sketchy because he lied... but nonetheless still a prophet of God, states that what the man of God cried out will come to pass... just reiterating that God is at work doing something bigger, and that what he declares will come to pass.
What we can pull from this, is that even though we don't have prophets walking around declaring things and people that will lead up to Jesus... because He has already come, fulfilling all prophesies and we have His written word as our only needed guide... we can know that God is behind the scenes, and sometimes standing right in front of us doing something bigger.
Something more.
Something that He wants to involve us in.
Something that is about reaching the world.
In the eighteenth year of King Josiah, the king sent Shaphan the son of Azaliah, son of Meshullam, the secretary, to the house of the LORD, saying, "Go up to Hilkiah the high priest, that he may count the money that has been brought into the house of the LORD, which the keepers of the threshold have collected from the people. And let it be given into the hand of the workmen who have the oversight of the house of the LORD, and let them give it to the workmen who are at the house of the LORD, repairing the house (that is, to the carpenters, and to the builders, and to the masons), and let them use it for buying timber and quarried stone to repair the house. But no accounting shall be asked from them for the money that is delivered into their hand, for they deal honestly."
And Hilkiah the high priest said to Shaphan the secretary, "I have found the Book of the Law in the house of the LORD." And Hilkiah gave the book to Shaphan, and he read it. And Shaphan the secretary came to the king, and reported to the king, "Your servants have emptied out the money that was found in the house and have delivered it into the hand of the workmen who have the oversight of the house of the LORD." Then Shaphan the secretary told the king, "Hilkiah the priest has given me a book." And Shaphan read it before the king. -2 Kings 22:3-10
Something happened here.
And it happened because of construction to the temple of the LORD.
A copy of the Law, what most scholars believe to have been the Pentateuch that had countless copies destroyed under the idolatrous reign of Mannaseh... had been uncovered.
These were the copies King Solomon had placed in the foundation of the temple when it was first dedicated to the LORD, as was custom to do in that time... a practice that still occasionally occurs today, (ie: Yankee Stadium, when in construction laid a few jerseys in the foundation)
But Hilkiah the priest found it, because Josiah decided to put money into fixing the temple. Josiah chose God and God's house before anything else. He then made clear that there was to be no accounting.
No accounting because the people deal honestly.
No accounting... because Josiah doesn't care how much money it takes.
He knows the people will make the repairs to the best of their ability, and that they will only take their fair share... Josiah didn't set a price.
Josiah didn't say only certain repairs.
Josiah wanted the whole temple repaired.
It had been in decay for three generations of Kings.
And Josiah didn't care what it cost him, or the kingdom.
'When the king heard the words of the Book of the Law, he tore his clothes. And the king commanded Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam the son of Shaphan, and Achbor the son of Micaiah, and Shaphan the secretary, and Asaiah the king’s servant, saying, "Go, inquire of the LORD for me, and for the people, and for all Judah, concerning the words of this book that has been found. For great is the wrath of the LORD that is kindled against us, because our fathers have not obeyed the words of this book, to do according to all that is written concerning us."
So Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam, and Achbor, and Shaphan, and Asaiah went to Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of Tikvah, son of Harhas, keeper of the wardrobe (now she lived in Jerusalem in the Second Quarter), and they talked with her. And she said to them, "Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel: 'Tell the man who sent you to me, Thus says the LORD, Behold, I will bring disaster upon this place and upon its inhabitants, all the words of the book that the king of Judah has read. Because they have forsaken me and have made offerings to other gods, that they might provoke me to anger with all the work of their hands, therefore my wrath will be kindled against this place, and it will not be quenched. But to the king of Judah, who sent you to inquire of the LORD, thus shall you say to him, Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel: Regarding the words that you have heard, because your heart was penitent, and you humbled yourself before the LORD, when you heard how I spoke against this place and against its inhabitants, that they should become a desolation and a curse, and you have torn your clothes and wept before me, I also have heard you, declares the LORD. Therefore, behold, I will gather you to your fathers, and you shall be gathered to your grave in peace, and your eyes shall not see all the disaster that I will bring upon this place.'" And they brought back word to the king.' -2 Kings 22:11-20
Josiah hears the word of the Lord and rips his clothes. A symbol of his heart being ripped, a symbol of repentance and deep remorse. He hears the literal word and law of the God he is worshiping, he understands who this God is that he is worshiping.
All this time he had been worshiping a God...
That he did not know.
God revealed himself.
Josiah is a great role model when it comes to leadership.
He put God first. He put the temple of the LORD first. He gave the temple his best and his most.
And people followed him.
Josiah is a great role model when it comes to responding to God's word.
We have the Bible around us all the time. We have a full canon of scripture.
When we read it and it speaks to us, do we react the way Josiah reacts?
Do we go to inquire of the LORD in those times?
This is not even half of the story.
This post doesn't cover half of the main story. Not even half of the underlying story.
I hope you can stick with me through the story of King Josiah as we ponder many of the questions, and themes of scripture. I think God reveals himself multiple times and in very many ways throughout his story.
To be continued...
(All Scripture in this post was from the English Standard Version)
Friday, May 6, 2011
Grace
Grace
When we hear that word a million things can come to mind.
Grace.
Amazing
Saving
Empowering
Loving
Those are just a few.
Grace can mean something so spectacular to some… and for others, no emotion is shown.
Luke Wright, a youth pastor from Phoenix once talked about Grace being like porches to him.
He’s had so many memories of porches in his life.
Memories that bring the idea of being gracious or receiving grace.
On his porch he has memories of selling lemonade on hot summer days, he has memories of his first kiss, he also had memories of where he had to receive grace… injuring his friends, his brother, lies he’s told… porches to him are where everything went down.
Memories.
Memories of good things, memories of things we regret.
Memories that we love to relive, memories that we want erased… gone forever.
And so grace to you may mean so many different things... to me grace is pictured as a car.
I have so many memories of good things and bad things that have been in or around cars.
Like having to ask for rides, and then being able to provide rides to places for my friends.
Trips I have taken.
Conversations that have taken place.
Things I've learned. Seen. Spoken. Felt.
When I hear the word grace… I think about memories such as those.
Not that I have never experienced grace away from a car... it's just one of those things.
Maybe you don’t have a place or a thing that you associate grace to… but we can all associate grace to ourselves.
Our sin.
How could a God so just and holy give grace to me… to you… to them… to us?
The Bible is filled with questions, filled with stories, filled with examples for us to relate to and understand. The Bible is also filled with plenty of answers for life’s most difficult questions… but sometimes it leaves things blank.
Our minds cannot embrace or fathom the amount of love… the power behind what Jesus did for us… and why He did it. God, so just and holy, can live through us and blanket us in His grace completely because of Christ.
The Bible gives the answer of love… that is it. And in this case that’s all that is needed.
There was a girl named Jessy.
She was only 15 when her boyfriend pressured her into a sexual relationship.
Her older sister had gotten pregnant at 16 and the mistrust of her parents came down upon her so heavily… that out of rebellion she did what she wanted.
Her boyfriend had cared for her, when her parents threatened her.
Her boyfriend had loved her, when her parents attempted to control her.
Her boyfriend was her symbol of freedom, when her parents pressured their own legalistic, ritual religion down on her.
And no one knew. No one could know… that she even had a boyfriend at all.
People live in Jessy’s shoes all the time. It takes God to reach out and change a heart that has been hurt and broken all in the name of ‘God’ and ‘religion’. All this when God only desires a relationship.
There was a boy named Brandon.
A bully and one that didn’t understand the whole ‘God thing’.
He attended a summer Christian camp in which he continued his attitude, talking during the messages, pulling pranks meant to hurt people, walked in the middle of a volleyball game and punted it across the camp and then walked off.
Swearing, always dissatisfied, and with no friends. Brandon desired to make everyone else’s time miserable.
The camp counselor that was assigned for Brandon’s group was unable to sleep on the second to last night and felt that he needed to go over and check on him.
And as the Holy Spirit prodded him, he got up to find Brandon reading his Bible with a mini flashlight.
They decided to go outside and talk.
Brandon had questions like, ‘Who is Jesus?’ ‘Why does God care?’ ‘What is this whole Christian thing really about?’
Two years later, this counselor named Luke, was invited to speak at a church in another state.
After the service a woman came out to talk to him and asked him if he remembered a kid named Brandon that was at the camp two years earlier.
After a little thinking Luke said yes.
The woman said, “I don’t know what you said to him, or who you are. But he came home and said that he talked with a pastor named Luke… Brandon has never been the same since.”
A middle school bully with tons of questions and attitude problems, turned into a role model student, a leader in the youth group, and a true follower of Christ.
There was a girl named Ashley.
She lived in Topeka, Kansas.
A daughter of a prostitute.
A daughter of a drug dealer.
And that is what she was known by.
She would attend parties and be raped by guys much, much older than her.
She would walk around and get threats and names called at her because of whose daughter she was.
Her only place of refuge was her house, her room, her bed.
But… this is her story… this is her life…
Her parents would kick her out of the house every month for a week, in which all of their friends and clients would come over… and for days… party. Party, Drink, Smoke, have sex with each other.
She could stand on her porch and beg for them to open the door and let her come in… but they wouldn’t ever let her. She was unworthy to be in her own house.
She was abandoned by her parents.
Ashley would sit outside, walk up and down the street. Look for food. Look for a place to sleep.
Her refuge was being used as a party house.
Her room was filled with the stench of smoke and alcohol.
Her bed was being used by her parents friends.
...She was 12.
This is a memory. This is a part of her life… forever.
Everyone looked at her because of who her identity was… never giving her a chance because of who her parents were.
Ashley came to realize though, that yes, she was a daughter of a prostitute and drug dealer… but she was also the daughter of a King, of a loving, caring, compassionate father. A father who never once let her down, who never locked her outside, gave her a refuge, and is using her life to bring Him glory.
Aren’t we all a child of that father? How great that feeling is, and how terrible it is to know that there are people in Ashley's shoes... who need to know, need to realize...
There was another man, who was a murderer.
He specifically targeted people who had a disagreeing religion.
He would travel all over the countryside, searching out, seeking people that practiced a different faith than him. He would plan on how to kill them, some in broad daylight, other times at night when no one could see.
Sometimes he would drag them off to prison, other times they would be thrown in a giant pit and stoned to death.
Maybe you heard of this guy… his name was Paul.
He targeted Christians.
But something happened in this guy’s life.
Just like Ashley, who found a new refuge in a local church, from a youth leader there.
God took a hold of this man’s heart.
Ambushed by Grace.
Years later, he looks back at his memories. His porches, His cars…His sins…
‘I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me trustworthy, appointing me to his service. Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.
Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.’ -1 Timothy 1:12-17
‘For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all people. This has now been witnessed to at the proper time.’ -1 Timothy 2:5-6
‘For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all people. This has now been witnessed to at the proper time.’ -1 Timothy 2:5-6
None of us are perfect people and sometimes it seems like the harder we try on our own, the bigger the mess we make. Paul experienced this firsthand in the early part of his life. His story reminds us that no matter how far off base we’ve gotten with God, His love is sufficient. No matter how big of a sinner you think you are, no matter how many wrongs have been done to you…God’s grace can reach the worst.
God’s grace has power to heal.
God’s grace has power to forgive.
The prodigal son.
We know the story.
And there are so many meanings, so many parallels that we could discuss in the story.
But when the son came to his senses and began his journey home… the father saw him a long way off and ran to him.
For our purposes today, that is all that needs said.
God is waiting on the porch.
He’s waiting in the car.
He’s there, wherever there is for you.
He’s looking at the horizon, waiting for us all to come home.
Waiting to extend His grace.
Waiting for the Jessys in the world.
Waiting for the Brandons.
Waiting for the Ashleys.
Waiting for the Pauls.
We all have stories, memories, pieces of our life... all of us can relate to these stories in one way or another. They are the story of humanity, and God’s gracious call to us, to return to Him… because He never left us.
Grace so amazing, so divine.
Nothing compares. Nothing more mine.
All glory and thanks to Him,
All glory and thanks to Him,
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Handwriting
Guest Posting: Ben Langevin
On Tuesday, My AP Literature teacher was grading some extra essays that my friend and I had wrote to prepare for an exam.
I received two eights and a six.
My friend received no grades, instead just three question marks.
My teacher stated that “she couldn’t read anything” because “it was far too messy”.
He said, “But how were my points and arguments?”
“I don’t know…. I couldn’t read it."
……………………………………………………………
This true story parallels most of our lives.
How many times do people look at us, judge us and say, "I don't know who they are, I don't know what they are... I can't read them."
Jesus called us to be salt.
Jesus called us to be the light of the world.
People should know we are Christians without having to figure us out, or read us too carefully.
But sometimes...
Our actions are so messy and our lives are so filled with crap that people can’t see the message that we need to get out.
Whether it’s lust, anger, profanity, gossip, hate, or whatever else you can think of, they mess with our testimony of grace and peace and our lives of love.
They are our messy handwritings.
The way we say things are just as important as what we say.
Period.
Our actions better back up our words.
Read 1 Corinthians 13.
Read Colossians 3.
Read pretty much any quote from Gandhi, Mother Teresa, Martin Luther King Jr.
They all say the same thing.
Whatever our beliefs are, we must say them with love and grace. Or we might as well be “clashing gongs.”
Speak with love, conviction, gentleness, and grace and you will be heard far louder than the loudest of microphones. Speak with Love, Grace and Conviction always.
Because they are the handwriting of the papers of our lives.
If we want to point people to Christ… we must clean it up. And the only way to do that is with love, grace, and peace.
-----------
"By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." - John 13:35
"Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ." -Philippians 1:2
"If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing." -1 Corinthians 13:2-3
-----------------
This post adapted from Ben Langevin's blog post: Love Wins: Messy Handwriting
On Tuesday, My AP Literature teacher was grading some extra essays that my friend and I had wrote to prepare for an exam.
I received two eights and a six.
My friend received no grades, instead just three question marks.
My teacher stated that “she couldn’t read anything” because “it was far too messy”.
He said, “But how were my points and arguments?”
“I don’t know…. I couldn’t read it."
……………………………………………………………
This true story parallels most of our lives.
How many times do people look at us, judge us and say, "I don't know who they are, I don't know what they are... I can't read them."
Jesus called us to be salt.
Jesus called us to be the light of the world.
People should know we are Christians without having to figure us out, or read us too carefully.
But sometimes...
Our actions are so messy and our lives are so filled with crap that people can’t see the message that we need to get out.
Whether it’s lust, anger, profanity, gossip, hate, or whatever else you can think of, they mess with our testimony of grace and peace and our lives of love.
They are our messy handwritings.
The way we say things are just as important as what we say.
Period.
Our actions better back up our words.
Read 1 Corinthians 13.
Read Colossians 3.
Read pretty much any quote from Gandhi, Mother Teresa, Martin Luther King Jr.
They all say the same thing.
Whatever our beliefs are, we must say them with love and grace. Or we might as well be “clashing gongs.”
Speak with love, conviction, gentleness, and grace and you will be heard far louder than the loudest of microphones. Speak with Love, Grace and Conviction always.
Because they are the handwriting of the papers of our lives.
If we want to point people to Christ… we must clean it up. And the only way to do that is with love, grace, and peace.
-----------
"By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." - John 13:35
"Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ." -Philippians 1:2
"If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing." -1 Corinthians 13:2-3
-----------------
This post adapted from Ben Langevin's blog post: Love Wins: Messy Handwriting
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