My family and I have just begun watching the BBC made "Life" program on DVD. We had previously watched and adored the series they made called "Planet Earth" so when we saw that this series was available, we jumped at adding it to our DVD collection. The cinematography is amazing and the shots that the camera people were able to capture are just stunning. I am constantly amazed by the creation and find myself wondering over and over how any thinking individual can believe that this is all some cosmic accident? Anyways...evolution vs. creation is not my main point in this particular blog...the main point that I am heading towards is the one that Paul points out to us in Romans 1:20 For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities--his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God."
As I sit on my couch taking in the literally amazing spectacles within nature, spiritual truths are resonating in me and I find nature preaching to me! Case in point, the Komodo dragon. I learned that this is the world's largest reptile and it is a carrion eater. (So it likes dead flesh...there's a whole sermon in that but...I digress). The Komodo dragon is not strong enough to take down a buffalo by it's size and strength. It just doesn't have the ability to overpower it by sheer force, so instead, it bites it's prey, releasing some type of toxic poison into the animal it seeks to devour. Then it waits. It will follow it's wounded prey for WEEKS waiting for the poison to slowly but surely, disperse to all areas of the wounded animal. This one poisonous bite will eventually kill the huge and powerful water buffalo. The Komodo will follow the animal, and as it waits patiently, other Komodo dragons enter into the scenario. They begin to follow the wounded beast until it finally succumbs to the poison of that first lethal bite. Then, all of the dragons who have jumped on this bandwagon of death, attack the dead buffalo and within 4 hours, the dragons will have stripped the animal of it's flesh...to the bone. Some of you reading this will immediately understand the spiritual application of this...but for those of you who don't, let me break it down for you as it was broken down for me.
In life, we are in a battle. Christian or not, we face circumstances and situations that are hard. It is in these moments when satan, (that great dragon) sees that we are vulnerable. It is then that he strikes with his venomous bite. Perhaps that bite entails a lie we believe, perhaps we encounter hardship like the loss of a job, perhaps we fail in some area, perhaps some harm has been done to us emotionally or physically, perhaps it's a sin we have caved to. Whatever that "bite" is, we can become infected with it's poison. At first, we may simply feel the sting of that bite but it seems like only a simple bite, a little inconvenience, and so we keep on moving with our lives. Soon, that poison begins working it's way into our lives more and more. The results of that infected bite are beginning to slow us down and weaken us. When that happens, sure enough, as if on cue, more and more dragons show up in the way of bad thoughts, negative reports and let down after let down. It seems that poison has gotten it's way with us and the carrion eaters have claimed us. Despair sets in. We give up. Finally, we lay down and die figuratively. When we give up the fight, when the poison has overtaken us and weakened us, the dragons jump on us and we are devoured.
Have you felt this way? Have you had something so horrible happen to you that you just gave up? The poison of that first bite morphed into more and more dragons surrounding you and taunting you until you just lost the ability to even try? The Komodo mirrors how satan works in the spiritual. He wants to destroy and devour you, and he is willing to wait it out. He knows that if he can just get that one bite in, he can harass you and surround you with his demons until you finally have no fight left. Then, he pounces and all that is left is bones. Has one thought ever become so powerful that it invades your life? Has one action turned to addiction and made you feel you will never be free? Has one time of being hurt morphed into a lasting unforgiveness that surrounds your heart? Has some sickness invaded your body and made you fear death every day? This is the system of the great dragon. Bite once, wait, harass, surround, harass, pounce. The sad part of this story is how many of us end up like the buffalo, devoured. In nature, the buffalo has no defense to this type of attack. Once bitten, there is no recourse for him. The same is true for the unbeliever, when satan attacks, they have no hope of rescue. That poison goes unchecked and the dragons keep on coming.
I am here to tell you though, that believers are different. We have Jesus. We have a Savior. We have a hope beyond the bite. Although we do get bitten from time to time, we have a loving God who will step in and save us if we only trust Him. We fight that poison with the Word of God and the promises of Jesus who says He will NEVER leave us or forsake us. When we cast all that upon Him, we can have peace in the midst of an attack. Though the dragons encircle, they will not be able to feast on us! We can have HOPE! Perhaps you have sinned. The devil got in a bite. Don't ignore the bite, go to the Healer! Think about Jesus taking your sin on his own body at the cross. Get forgiveness and get back up! Have you been hurt? Satan got in that first bite...don't let it fester into unforgiveness, bitterness and anger...go to Jesus and think about His forgiveness towards you! Soon, you will find your pride melting away and true forgiveness replacing the hurt. Is your body sick? Are you in fear of death? Remember that Jesus body was broken for your healing, that he became a curse for you so that you would no longer be under a curse. Don't allow thoughts of death to overwhelm you. See yourself healed and see yourself healed ultimately in heaven. Even if your body should die (which we all will someday) you yourself will never die! This is how we OVERCOME! This is how believers can live victorious lives even when the great dragon bites!
If you are an unbeliever reading this and you are feeling like that buffalo, poisoned, helpless, surrounded...your hope today is in accepting Jesus as your Savior. He is willing to help you in your time of need. Think about Him dying to save you. If He was willing to die for you when you didn't care about Him, won't he be willing to save you now? If God was willing to give up His own Son for your salvation, won't He be willing to accept you? Reach out and grab the lifeline that is being offered.
Am I saying bites never happen again? No. I am I saying that the dragons give up altogether? No. But they WON'T overcome. They won't devour and their poison will not end in death!
Thank God!
Thank God for his Word, thank God for his creation and for the lessons we can learn about Him when His Holy Spirit leads us into all truth.
Wednesday, October 30, 2013
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
The real glory of Job
As I was pondering the story of Job I was given a moment of revelation. I am certain that it will make more sense in my mind than it will on this blog but I still wanted to type it out and give it a voice.
So often, people think the story of Job is so very unfair. As if God is somehow unjust for allowing a righteous man to suffer in order to prove a point to satan. I used to think this too, until I saw just what was happening and how awesome of a story it truly is.
We tend to think that Job didn't deserve any of his suffering because we are told he was a good man who honored God. Good people aren't supposed to have bad things happen to them. Yet, all around us in real life, bad things happen to good people, to people we love, all the time. Why should Job's story make us so upset? Why does it seem so unfair? So wrong? I believe it's because it makes us afraid. It makes us say to ourselves, "If God would allow that to happen to Job, then I'm toast!" Am I right? I propose though, that God actually did Job a major favor in allowing him to take part in the story. How? I'll tell you. Job actually got to stick it to satan, and he didn't even know it!
Satan was God's most glorious created being. He was in God's presence and yet, turned in pride, desiring to be God instead of honoring his creator. He was able to deceive Adam and Eve into doing likewise to their Creator. Ever since, that has been his game, to separate God from his creation. Yet, God was about to show satan that humans were different than angels. That humans were special. That even though many would rebel, there were some, despite satan's best efforts, that would always worship God. Satan thought that humans, Job in particular, would only worship God if God protected and blessed them. Remove that protection, satan mused, and humans will curse God to his face. So, God allowed satan to attack Job. To test his theory about humans and their relationship with God. We all know how it ends. Job prevails through all the trials and worships God, even more aware of God's awesome power than before. We don't hear anything about satan or his reaction. I think it's because Job's response is all the triumph we need to see. He showed a fallen angel that a being made from the dust of the earth, could continue to worship God, a God he had never even seen, despite massive suffering and loss. Every tactic employed against him by satan failed. FAILED. Satan FAILED to destroy a being made of mud. Of simple flesh and bone. Satan, Lucifer, the most beautifully created being ever made...who had lived the direct presence and holiness of God...failed to destroy a human being. Ah...the embarassment. We don't get to hear what satan did when he realized that his plans had failed. I like to think that he slunk off to a dark corner somewhere to fume over getting OWNED by a human. Not only that, but he had to watch as God restored fully to Job every last thing that satan thought he had taken away. He learned that he had NO power. Even what he stole and destroyed, God was able to restore. Ouch.
Job didn't know all this. Had he known, he could have become arrogant or prideful. Instead, it was his lack of knowledge of what was happening in the spiritual that made him such an inspiration. He accepted good and evil from the hand of the Lord and worshipped Him just the same. His faith was pure. His faith was based on the knowledge that God is God and he was not. Unlike satan who wanted to be God, Job was content, even in suffering to submit to God. Bam. I said, BAM! This also foreshadows Jesus Christ. The Son of Man, who submits to suffering, only to be glorified and lifted up before all principalities and powers. Despite temptations, despite persecution, despite physical pain...Jesus prevails. Even to the point of death, Jesus overcomes. Job is never allowed to be killed. Job doesn't lose his own life. But his suffering is a picture, a promise to satan that if a regular man can overcome, just wait until the Son of Man comes...he will even triumph over death!
As Christians, God promises us that we can and will overcome as well. If we continue to trust despite the persecution, trials and temptations. We will be like Christ and we will win! Job didn't know of Jesus, he didn't know what we know..and yet he overcame. How much more should we be encouraged KNOWING that Christ is for us and in us! How awesome!
So often, people think the story of Job is so very unfair. As if God is somehow unjust for allowing a righteous man to suffer in order to prove a point to satan. I used to think this too, until I saw just what was happening and how awesome of a story it truly is.
We tend to think that Job didn't deserve any of his suffering because we are told he was a good man who honored God. Good people aren't supposed to have bad things happen to them. Yet, all around us in real life, bad things happen to good people, to people we love, all the time. Why should Job's story make us so upset? Why does it seem so unfair? So wrong? I believe it's because it makes us afraid. It makes us say to ourselves, "If God would allow that to happen to Job, then I'm toast!" Am I right? I propose though, that God actually did Job a major favor in allowing him to take part in the story. How? I'll tell you. Job actually got to stick it to satan, and he didn't even know it!
Satan was God's most glorious created being. He was in God's presence and yet, turned in pride, desiring to be God instead of honoring his creator. He was able to deceive Adam and Eve into doing likewise to their Creator. Ever since, that has been his game, to separate God from his creation. Yet, God was about to show satan that humans were different than angels. That humans were special. That even though many would rebel, there were some, despite satan's best efforts, that would always worship God. Satan thought that humans, Job in particular, would only worship God if God protected and blessed them. Remove that protection, satan mused, and humans will curse God to his face. So, God allowed satan to attack Job. To test his theory about humans and their relationship with God. We all know how it ends. Job prevails through all the trials and worships God, even more aware of God's awesome power than before. We don't hear anything about satan or his reaction. I think it's because Job's response is all the triumph we need to see. He showed a fallen angel that a being made from the dust of the earth, could continue to worship God, a God he had never even seen, despite massive suffering and loss. Every tactic employed against him by satan failed. FAILED. Satan FAILED to destroy a being made of mud. Of simple flesh and bone. Satan, Lucifer, the most beautifully created being ever made...who had lived the direct presence and holiness of God...failed to destroy a human being. Ah...the embarassment. We don't get to hear what satan did when he realized that his plans had failed. I like to think that he slunk off to a dark corner somewhere to fume over getting OWNED by a human. Not only that, but he had to watch as God restored fully to Job every last thing that satan thought he had taken away. He learned that he had NO power. Even what he stole and destroyed, God was able to restore. Ouch.
Job didn't know all this. Had he known, he could have become arrogant or prideful. Instead, it was his lack of knowledge of what was happening in the spiritual that made him such an inspiration. He accepted good and evil from the hand of the Lord and worshipped Him just the same. His faith was pure. His faith was based on the knowledge that God is God and he was not. Unlike satan who wanted to be God, Job was content, even in suffering to submit to God. Bam. I said, BAM! This also foreshadows Jesus Christ. The Son of Man, who submits to suffering, only to be glorified and lifted up before all principalities and powers. Despite temptations, despite persecution, despite physical pain...Jesus prevails. Even to the point of death, Jesus overcomes. Job is never allowed to be killed. Job doesn't lose his own life. But his suffering is a picture, a promise to satan that if a regular man can overcome, just wait until the Son of Man comes...he will even triumph over death!
As Christians, God promises us that we can and will overcome as well. If we continue to trust despite the persecution, trials and temptations. We will be like Christ and we will win! Job didn't know of Jesus, he didn't know what we know..and yet he overcame. How much more should we be encouraged KNOWING that Christ is for us and in us! How awesome!
Thursday, May 2, 2013
Bigot or Prophet?
Bigot or Prophet?
As today is America's National Day of Prayer, it has gotten me thinking about all the ills that plague our society. Our nation clearly needs prayer. It clearly needs a whole-hearted return to God and His principles of living. As I read the news, I became increasingly upset, almost to the point of tears (which is one reason that I don't read the news every day..it truly can overwhelm...) I decided to hop into the bathtub which is where I tend to relax and have some quiet time to pray and ponder. As I prayed basically a version of "Dear God, we are messing things up royally down here...PLEASE HELP US!...OH..and DON'T ALLOW ME TO BE A PROBLEM TOO!", I felt God leading me to read Matthew chapter 3. I honestly didn't remember what was in that chapter but I took God's leading and went there expecting to hear something that would bring clarity to the desperate prayer of my heart. He did.
Matthew 3 tells us about John the Baptist. He begins preaching in the wilderness and many people in the surrounding area come out to hear him. Here is what he was shouting,
"Repent (think differently; change your mind, regretting your sins and changing your conduct), for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."
As today is America's National Day of Prayer, it has gotten me thinking about all the ills that plague our society. Our nation clearly needs prayer. It clearly needs a whole-hearted return to God and His principles of living. As I read the news, I became increasingly upset, almost to the point of tears (which is one reason that I don't read the news every day..it truly can overwhelm...) I decided to hop into the bathtub which is where I tend to relax and have some quiet time to pray and ponder. As I prayed basically a version of "Dear God, we are messing things up royally down here...PLEASE HELP US!...OH..and DON'T ALLOW ME TO BE A PROBLEM TOO!", I felt God leading me to read Matthew chapter 3. I honestly didn't remember what was in that chapter but I took God's leading and went there expecting to hear something that would bring clarity to the desperate prayer of my heart. He did.
Matthew 3 tells us about John the Baptist. He begins preaching in the wilderness and many people in the surrounding area come out to hear him. Here is what he was shouting,
"Repent (think differently; change your mind, regretting your sins and changing your conduct), for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."
"You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee and escape from the wrath and indignation [of God against disobedience] that is coming? Bring forth fruit that is consistent with repentance [let your lives prove your change of heart]"
"And already the ax is lying at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire."
"I indeed baptize you [c]in (with) water [d]because of repentance [that is, because of your[e]changing your minds for the better, heartily amending your ways, with abhorrence of your past sins]. But He Who is coming after me is mightier than I, Whose sandals I am not worthy or fit to take off or carry; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. His winnowing fan (shovel, fork) is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clear out and clean His threshing floor and gather and store His wheat in His barn, but the chaff He will burn up with fire that cannot be put out."
Does this sound like a bigot to you? I don't think this type of preaching would go over very well in a lot of circles these days. I am not sure if this preaching would go well in Christian circles. Certainly not on facebook! Sometimes I feel like my words echo John the Baptist, preaching a message that is unpopular and seemingly harsh. I feel like I am out in the wilderness and people are looking at me in my goat hair suit as I eat honey and bugs. I wonder at times if I am the bigot and hater that the media and so called "liberals" would say that I am. I rack my brain, praying and wondering, "God, am I actually representing you well and accurately?" Am I being a loving person? Can I indeed speak words like these and still be loving? It tears me up inside because the last thing I want to do is turn people away from Christ because I am doing things all wrong. Is this how Jesus would talk? Is this how Jesus would act? Isn't he so non-judgy? Isn't he all love and acceptance and condemnation free?
Well, I got my answer. In the very next verse, Jesus shows up on the scene and does something that would surprise my critics. He REQUESTS to be baptized by John...you know..the one who was yelling at people to repent and change their minds, attitudes and actions! I think it stands to reason that Jesus was advocating the message that John was sharing with his listeners. Not only that, but shortly after Jesus gets baptized, He goes into the desert to be tempted by Satan and comes out preaching! What are his first words that are recorded in Scripture...."Repent ([l]change your mind for the better, heartily amend your ways, with abhorrence of your past sins), for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."
Hmmm. Sounds a lot like the message that John was preaching. Who, by the way, was jailed for calling out the sexual sin of Herod, the leader of the day who had married his brother's wife. Does this remind anyone of the growing pressure coming on many Christians today who are openly opposed to the flagrant sexual sins of today? Wouldn't the "liberals" for lack of a better word, be incensed by John's pointing out of sexual sin? He ended up dying for doing so with a swift beheading.
I am so thankful that God sent me to this passage. It did several things. It renewed in me the assurance that I am not a hateful bigot, but in fact, am preaching the same message that Jesus preached. Some people are not going to like it...sometimes to the degree that they may very well kill me. Okay. Noted. I sure hope not....It also encouraged me to take heart and remember that Jesus is very much in control and that the axe is at the root of the tree...He is going to deal with the sin in this world...I can trust in that when I get overwhelmed by the news swirling about me. It also reminded me to check my own heart and put it before God. Am I repentant? Am I continuing to allow my heart and mind to be changed? Am I truly disgusted with my old ways of sin and seeking to put to death the sin that I see in me today? Only God knows for sure...I pray that He will bring fruit that is good out of my life. And I pray that the words I speak will echo His, even if by prophesying, I am called a bigot.
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