The Stubbornness of Man in Sinning
"He committed all the sins his father had done before him; his heart was not fully devoted to the LORD his God, as the heart of David his forefather had been." - 1 Kings 15:3 (NIV)
The Stubbornness of God in Saving
"Nevertheless, for David's sake the LORD his God gave him a lamp in Jerusalem by raising up a son to succeed him and by making Jerusalem strong." - 1 Kings 15:4 (NIV)
You, O Lord, have made a way
The great divide You healed
For when our hearts were far away
Your love went further still
Yes, Your love goes further still!
You alone can rescue
You alone can save
You alone can lift us from the grave
You came down to find us
Led us out of death
To You alone belongs the highest praise
Sunday 26 August 2012
Monday 20 August 2012
Count Your Blessings
"Each heart knows its own bitterness, and no one else can share its joy." - Proverbs 14:10 (NIV)
Count your blessings, not your burdens!
"I remember my affliction and my wandering, the bitterness and the gall. I well remember them, and my soul is downcast within me. Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope:
Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, "The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.""
- Lamentations 3:19-24 (NIV)
Count your blessings, not your burdens!
"I remember my affliction and my wandering, the bitterness and the gall. I well remember them, and my soul is downcast within me. Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope:
Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, "The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.""
- Lamentations 3:19-24 (NIV)
Sunday 19 August 2012
The Gospel in Isaiah
Isaiah is to the Old Testament what Romans is to the New Testament.
Because the Sovereign LORD helps me, I will not be disgraced. Therefore have I set my face like flint, and I know I will not be put to shame.
He who vindicates me is near. Who then will bring charges against me? Let us face each other! Who is my accuser? Let him confront me!
It is the Sovereign LORD who helps me. Who is he that will condemn me? They will all wear out like a garment; the moths will eat them up."
- Isaiah 50:7-9 (NIV)
As the New Testament reveals (after Jesus' life, death and resurrection) what the Old Testament conceals (before Jesus' life, death and resurrection), so Romans reveals what Isaiah conceals - in particular, that Isaiah 50:7-9 is grounded in Jesus' life, death and resurrection. Just like everything else is.
"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.
What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all - how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?
Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died - more than that, who was raised to life - is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: "For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered."
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
- Romans 8:28-39 (NIV)
Because the Sovereign LORD helps me, I will not be disgraced. Therefore have I set my face like flint, and I know I will not be put to shame.
He who vindicates me is near. Who then will bring charges against me? Let us face each other! Who is my accuser? Let him confront me!
It is the Sovereign LORD who helps me. Who is he that will condemn me? They will all wear out like a garment; the moths will eat them up."
- Isaiah 50:7-9 (NIV)
As the New Testament reveals (after Jesus' life, death and resurrection) what the Old Testament conceals (before Jesus' life, death and resurrection), so Romans reveals what Isaiah conceals - in particular, that Isaiah 50:7-9 is grounded in Jesus' life, death and resurrection. Just like everything else is.
"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.
What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all - how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?
Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died - more than that, who was raised to life - is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: "For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered."
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
- Romans 8:28-39 (NIV)
The True Vine
"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing... As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete." - John 15:5, 9-11 (NIV)
For Christ to work in and through us, we must abide in Him. Are we abiding in Him, delighting in Him?
"Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart." - Psalm 37:4 (NIV)
*****
On my way home from church, I noticed that the car in front of me (a BMW X Series no less) had the words 'Yeshua Ha'Mashiach' (Hebrew for 'Jesus the Messiah') printed on the number plate. While I've seen cars with Christian bumper stickers and even fish (Ichthys) decals before, it was the first time I saw something like this.
Incidentally, the message in church was on 'Knowing God's Name' - and as we know, the name of Jesus (Yeshua) means YHWH saves.
Not coincidence, but providence!
For Christ to work in and through us, we must abide in Him. Are we abiding in Him, delighting in Him?
"Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart." - Psalm 37:4 (NIV)
*****
On my way home from church, I noticed that the car in front of me (a BMW X Series no less) had the words 'Yeshua Ha'Mashiach' (Hebrew for 'Jesus the Messiah') printed on the number plate. While I've seen cars with Christian bumper stickers and even fish (Ichthys) decals before, it was the first time I saw something like this.
Incidentally, the message in church was on 'Knowing God's Name' - and as we know, the name of Jesus (Yeshua) means YHWH saves.
Not coincidence, but providence!
Friday 17 August 2012
The Gospel in Genesis 22
*Random Thoughts from Seminar by Dr. Jim and Val Harvey on Discovering the Difference Knowing God's Name Can Make*
'Adonai' is translated (and really means) 'Lord'. On the other hand, 'YHWH' is translated as 'LORD' but really means 'I AM'.
God does not have different names. Rather, God has one name (YHWH) with different titles (eg. Adonai - the God who is Lord, Yireh - the God who provides etc). To illustrate, Dr. Jim Harvey has one name (James) with different titles (eg. husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather etc).
Jesus (Yeshua) = YHWH saves
"She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins." - Matthew 1:21 (NIV)
The God Who Provides
Interestingly, the word 'love' (Hebrew: ahavah) occurs in the Bible for the first time in Genesis 22:2. (The word 'love' in Genesis 20:13 is more accurately rendered as 'kindness'.)
"Then God said, "Take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you love, and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about."" - Genesis 22:2 (NIV)
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." - John 3:16 (NIV)
"He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all - how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?" - Romans 8:32 (NIV)
Genesis 22 is not about how a good God could issue an ostensibly evil command. Neither is Genesis 22 about how Abraham passed the test of faith and how we too can follow in his footsteps. Rather, Genesis 22 is about love. A lamb. A substitutionary death. And resurrection. In other words, the gospel!
"He said to his servants, "Stay here with the donkey while I and the boy go over there. We will worship and then we will come back to you."" - Genesis 22:5 (NIV)
"Abraham answered, "God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son." And the two of them went on together." - Genesis 22:8 (NIV)
"Abraham looked up and there in a thicket he saw a ram caught by its horns. He went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son. So Abraham called that place The LORD Will Provide. And to this day it is said, "On the mountain of the LORD it will be provided."" - Genesis 22:13-14 (NIV)
*****
"By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had received the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son, even though God had said to him, "It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned." Abraham reasoned that God could raise the dead, and figuratively speaking, he did receive Isaac back from death." - Hebrews 11:17-19 (NIV)
'Adonai' is translated (and really means) 'Lord'. On the other hand, 'YHWH' is translated as 'LORD' but really means 'I AM'.
God does not have different names. Rather, God has one name (YHWH) with different titles (eg. Adonai - the God who is Lord, Yireh - the God who provides etc). To illustrate, Dr. Jim Harvey has one name (James) with different titles (eg. husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather etc).
Jesus (Yeshua) = YHWH saves
"She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins." - Matthew 1:21 (NIV)
The God Who Provides
Interestingly, the word 'love' (Hebrew: ahavah) occurs in the Bible for the first time in Genesis 22:2. (The word 'love' in Genesis 20:13 is more accurately rendered as 'kindness'.)
"Then God said, "Take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you love, and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about."" - Genesis 22:2 (NIV)
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." - John 3:16 (NIV)
"He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all - how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?" - Romans 8:32 (NIV)
Genesis 22 is not about how a good God could issue an ostensibly evil command. Neither is Genesis 22 about how Abraham passed the test of faith and how we too can follow in his footsteps. Rather, Genesis 22 is about love. A lamb. A substitutionary death. And resurrection. In other words, the gospel!
"He said to his servants, "Stay here with the donkey while I and the boy go over there. We will worship and then we will come back to you."" - Genesis 22:5 (NIV)
"Abraham answered, "God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son." And the two of them went on together." - Genesis 22:8 (NIV)
"Abraham looked up and there in a thicket he saw a ram caught by its horns. He went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son. So Abraham called that place The LORD Will Provide. And to this day it is said, "On the mountain of the LORD it will be provided."" - Genesis 22:13-14 (NIV)
*****
"By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had received the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son, even though God had said to him, "It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned." Abraham reasoned that God could raise the dead, and figuratively speaking, he did receive Isaac back from death." - Hebrews 11:17-19 (NIV)
Monday 13 August 2012
Prophylaxis
"It is easier to build a boy and girl today than to repair men and women tomorrow." - Pastor Bill Wilson, founder of Metro Ministries
Source: The Christian Post (Singapore), Let's Build Families Before They Come Apart
Source: The Christian Post (Singapore), Let's Build Families Before They Come Apart
Sunday 12 August 2012
Give Thanks for His Salvation
We may not be able to share in all thanksgivings, but we can all share in giving thanks for salvation.
For example, someone who has just lost a child may not be able to share in the joy of having a newborn baby. However, there is no one who cannot share in the joy of salvation.
"In that day you will say: "I will praise you, O LORD. Although you were angry with me, your anger has turned away and you have comforted me. Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The LORD, the LORD, is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation." With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation." - Isaiah 12:1-3 (NIV)
For example, someone who has just lost a child may not be able to share in the joy of having a newborn baby. However, there is no one who cannot share in the joy of salvation.
"In that day you will say: "I will praise you, O LORD. Although you were angry with me, your anger has turned away and you have comforted me. Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The LORD, the LORD, is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation." With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation." - Isaiah 12:1-3 (NIV)
Saturday 11 August 2012
Persevering in Prayer
Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.
He said: "In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared about men. And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, 'Grant me justice against my adversary.' For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, 'Even though I don't fear God or care about men, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won't eventually wear me out with her coming!'"
And the Lord said, "Listen to what the unjust judge says. And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?"
- Luke 18:1-8 (NIV)
Is God like that crooked judge? Of course not. Does He have to be pestered and coerced before He will answer your prayers? Not at all. So this is not a parable comparing God to the judge, but rather, contrasting Him with the judge. The striking contrast is evident at multiple points:
1. The widow was appealing as a stranger while God's people are appealing to Him as His beloved elect (1 Peter 2:9-10);
2. The widow could only appeal from a distance while we can come boldly before the Father (Hebrews 4:15-16);
3. The widow met with an unjust judge while we have a righteous Father who is for us (Romans 8:31-32);
4. The widow pleaded her own case but we have an Advocate (Romans 8:34);
5. The widow had no promise of an answer but we have abundant promises given to us (Jeremiah 33:3; John 16:24; Luke 18:8a);
6. The widow had limited access but we, who can pray to God anytime, have unlimited access;
7. The widow's asking provoked the judge but our asking delights God!
...Then comes the surprising twist to the whole parable. This is Jesus' chief point, made in the form of a compelling question: "However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?"
Will there be anyone left who trusts in God and does not give up on Him? In other words, will there be anyone laying hold of God and His purpose for his life in the last days in spite of very difficult circumstances?
Will there be anyone who has faith that God knows and that God cares? God knows what is happening and He cares to help in His time. God is faithful; therefore we can hold fast to God with a faith that does not lose heart nor give up.
Have you ever been disappointed by God? Have you ever asked God for something and not received an answer? Then you started pestering. Still nothing. At this point most of us give up. We simply quit praying. That is a big mistake - to give up on God. We are creatures of extremes. We pester too much and we give up too soon.
Some might say, "But I don't have strength to carry on." Strength is not what you need. Faith is! Strength comes from looking at yourself and your meagre resources. Faith comes from looking at GOD and His abundant resources!
The point of Jesus' parable is to have faith that God IS faithful. The widow's parable was told to remind us of God's faithfulness. A faithfulness that is sure. Thus we should appeal to God by faith, believing that He is the God of the "How Much More!" (cf. Luke 11:13) and trusting that because He knows best, He will answer with our best interests at heart. (Often, this means not answering our felt needs, but our real needs.)
The question is, will we persevere in faith in the faithfulness of God?
- Edmund Chan, Growing Deep in Faith
He said: "In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared about men. And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, 'Grant me justice against my adversary.' For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, 'Even though I don't fear God or care about men, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won't eventually wear me out with her coming!'"
And the Lord said, "Listen to what the unjust judge says. And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?"
- Luke 18:1-8 (NIV)
Is God like that crooked judge? Of course not. Does He have to be pestered and coerced before He will answer your prayers? Not at all. So this is not a parable comparing God to the judge, but rather, contrasting Him with the judge. The striking contrast is evident at multiple points:
1. The widow was appealing as a stranger while God's people are appealing to Him as His beloved elect (1 Peter 2:9-10);
2. The widow could only appeal from a distance while we can come boldly before the Father (Hebrews 4:15-16);
3. The widow met with an unjust judge while we have a righteous Father who is for us (Romans 8:31-32);
4. The widow pleaded her own case but we have an Advocate (Romans 8:34);
5. The widow had no promise of an answer but we have abundant promises given to us (Jeremiah 33:3; John 16:24; Luke 18:8a);
6. The widow had limited access but we, who can pray to God anytime, have unlimited access;
7. The widow's asking provoked the judge but our asking delights God!
...Then comes the surprising twist to the whole parable. This is Jesus' chief point, made in the form of a compelling question: "However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?"
Will there be anyone left who trusts in God and does not give up on Him? In other words, will there be anyone laying hold of God and His purpose for his life in the last days in spite of very difficult circumstances?
Will there be anyone who has faith that God knows and that God cares? God knows what is happening and He cares to help in His time. God is faithful; therefore we can hold fast to God with a faith that does not lose heart nor give up.
Have you ever been disappointed by God? Have you ever asked God for something and not received an answer? Then you started pestering. Still nothing. At this point most of us give up. We simply quit praying. That is a big mistake - to give up on God. We are creatures of extremes. We pester too much and we give up too soon.
Some might say, "But I don't have strength to carry on." Strength is not what you need. Faith is! Strength comes from looking at yourself and your meagre resources. Faith comes from looking at GOD and His abundant resources!
The point of Jesus' parable is to have faith that God IS faithful. The widow's parable was told to remind us of God's faithfulness. A faithfulness that is sure. Thus we should appeal to God by faith, believing that He is the God of the "How Much More!" (cf. Luke 11:13) and trusting that because He knows best, He will answer with our best interests at heart. (Often, this means not answering our felt needs, but our real needs.)
The question is, will we persevere in faith in the faithfulness of God?
- Edmund Chan, Growing Deep in Faith
Interesting
This week's message at Kay Poh Road Baptist Church, 'Give Thanks for His Salvation' is taken from Romans 16:25-27 while this week's message at York Baptist Church, 'Altogether Now!' is taken from Romans 16:1-13, 16 and 19-27.
"Now to him who is able to establish you by my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery hidden for long ages past, but now revealed and made known through the prophetic writings by the command of the eternal God, so that all nations might believe and obey him - to the only wise God be glory forever through Jesus Christ! Amen." - Romans 16:25-27 (NIV)
"Now to him who is able to establish you by my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery hidden for long ages past, but now revealed and made known through the prophetic writings by the command of the eternal God, so that all nations might believe and obey him - to the only wise God be glory forever through Jesus Christ! Amen." - Romans 16:25-27 (NIV)
Saturday 4 August 2012
Mission, Vision and Values
Again, the theme of the Bible is the kingdom of God.
Mission
"Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."" - Matthew 28:18-20 (NIV)
Vision
"Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."" - Revelation 21:1-4 (NIV)
Values
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control." - Galatians 5:22-23a (NIV)
Mission
"Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."" - Matthew 28:18-20 (NIV)
Vision
"Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."" - Revelation 21:1-4 (NIV)
Values
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control." - Galatians 5:22-23a (NIV)
Friday 3 August 2012
Cultivating Your Inner Life
*Random Thoughts from Singapore Bible College's 60th Anniversary Pastors' and Leaders' Conference 2012 (Rev. Edmund Chan)*
"Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." - Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)
God's Design: Living from the inside out
The heart (within) precedes the ways (without). Trust and obey. Obey in trust.
The quality of our ministry flows out of the quality of our lives.
God's Desire: Living wholeheartedly
'with all your heart'
'in all your ways'
God's Delight: Living with Christ at the very centre
'Trust in the LORD'
'acknowledge Him'
Trusting God
Why is it so hard to trust God? After all, He is trustworthy, willing, able and has no hidden agenda.
It is so hard to trust God because we want to be in control. But if we cannot trust the one who died for us, who can we trust?
"He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all - how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?" - Romans 8:32 (NIV)
"Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." - Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)
God's Design: Living from the inside out
The heart (within) precedes the ways (without). Trust and obey. Obey in trust.
The quality of our ministry flows out of the quality of our lives.
God's Desire: Living wholeheartedly
'with all your heart'
'in all your ways'
God's Delight: Living with Christ at the very centre
'Trust in the LORD'
'acknowledge Him'
Trusting God
Why is it so hard to trust God? After all, He is trustworthy, willing, able and has no hidden agenda.
It is so hard to trust God because we want to be in control. But if we cannot trust the one who died for us, who can we trust?
"He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all - how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?" - Romans 8:32 (NIV)
Thursday 2 August 2012
The Big Picture Conference
*Random Thoughts from Project Timothy's Big Picture Conference (Dr. Barry Webb)*
The theme of the Bible is the kingdom of God. Trusting God is not so much about going to heaven when we die as it is about praying for His kingdom to come, His will to be done on earth as it is in heaven.
False Wisdom (Genesis 3:6-7) vs True Wisdom (Proverbs 3:5-6)
"When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realised they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves." - Genesis 3:6-7
"Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." - Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)
Wisdom in Creation (Genesis 2:2) and New Creation (John 19:30)
"By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work." - Genesis 2:2 (NIV)
"When he had received the drink, Jesus said, "It is finished." With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit." - John 19:30 (NIV)
The Conclusion of the Matter
"Then I realised that it is good and proper for a man to eat and drink, and to find satisfaction in his toilsome labour under the sun during the few days of life God has given him - for this is his lot. Moreover, when God gives any man wealth and possessions, and enables him to enjoy them, to accept his lot and be happy in his work - this is a gift of God." - Ecclesiastes 5:18-19 (NIV)
"Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil." - Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 (NIV)
The theme of the Bible is the kingdom of God. Trusting God is not so much about going to heaven when we die as it is about praying for His kingdom to come, His will to be done on earth as it is in heaven.
False Wisdom (Genesis 3:6-7) vs True Wisdom (Proverbs 3:5-6)
"When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realised they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves." - Genesis 3:6-7
"Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." - Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)
Wisdom in Creation (Genesis 2:2) and New Creation (John 19:30)
"By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work." - Genesis 2:2 (NIV)
"When he had received the drink, Jesus said, "It is finished." With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit." - John 19:30 (NIV)
The Conclusion of the Matter
"Then I realised that it is good and proper for a man to eat and drink, and to find satisfaction in his toilsome labour under the sun during the few days of life God has given him - for this is his lot. Moreover, when God gives any man wealth and possessions, and enables him to enjoy them, to accept his lot and be happy in his work - this is a gift of God." - Ecclesiastes 5:18-19 (NIV)
"Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil." - Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 (NIV)
Wednesday 1 August 2012
Trust
Trust in a promise of God suited to your need.
This is the way that the action you are about to take becomes an act of faith. This is what Paul meant when he said in Galatians 2:20 that the life he now lives he lives by faith in the Son of God. Living by faith means overcoming obstacles to obedience by trusting promises of help and future happiness.
An act is an act of faith when the strength to do it comes through trusting in a promise of God. When you bank on God's help and His promise of happiness to get you through your task, then you are living by faith, and walking by the Spirit...
Trust in some promise that assures you that the world's incentive towards disobedience is not as great as God's incentive towards obedience.
- John Piper, Sanctification in the Everyday
This is the way that the action you are about to take becomes an act of faith. This is what Paul meant when he said in Galatians 2:20 that the life he now lives he lives by faith in the Son of God. Living by faith means overcoming obstacles to obedience by trusting promises of help and future happiness.
An act is an act of faith when the strength to do it comes through trusting in a promise of God. When you bank on God's help and His promise of happiness to get you through your task, then you are living by faith, and walking by the Spirit...
Trust in some promise that assures you that the world's incentive towards disobedience is not as great as God's incentive towards obedience.
- John Piper, Sanctification in the Everyday
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