Random thoughts following yesterday's message (1 Samuel 7:7-13) at my church's 61st Anniversary and Baptism Combined Service.
1. Destroying idols and committing to the LORD
It was a long time, twenty years in all, that the ark remained at Kiriath Jearim, and all the people of Israel mourned and sought after the LORD. And Samuel said to the whole house of Israel, "If you are returning to the LORD with all your hearts, then rid yourselves of the foreign gods and the Ashtoreths and commit yourselves to the LORD and serve him only, and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines." So the Israelites put away their Baals and Ashtoreths, and served the LORD only.
- 1 Samuel 7:2-4 (NIV)
2. Fasting and confessing sins to the LORD
Then Samuel said, "Assemble all Israel at Mizpah and I will intercede with the LORD for you." When they had assembled at Mizpah, they drew water and poured it out before the LORD. On that day they fasted and there they confessed, "We have sinned against the LORD." And Samuel was leader of Israel at Mizpah.
- 1 Samuel 7:5-6 (NIV)
3. Crying out to the LORD and sacrificing an offering to Him
When the Philistines heard that Israel had assembled at Mizpah, the rulers of the Philistines came up to attack them. And when the Israelites heard of it, they were afraid because of the Philistines. They said to Samuel, "Do not stop crying out to the LORD our God for us, that he may rescue us from the hand of the Philistines." Then Samuel took a suckling lamb and offered it up as a whole burnt offering to the LORD. He cried out to the LORD on Israel's behalf, and the LORD answered him.
- 1 Samuel 7:7-9 (NIV)
4. Remembering and praising the LORD
While Samuel was sacrificing the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to engage Israel in battle. But that day the LORD thundered with loud thunder against the Philistines and threw them into such a panic that they were routed before the Israelites. The men of Israel rushed out of Mizpah and pursued the Philistines, slaughtering them along the way to a point below Beth Car. Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer, saying, "Thus far has the LORD helped us."
- 1 Samuel 7:10-12 (NIV)
Here I raise my Ebenezer
Hither by Thy help I've come
And I hope, by Thy good pleasure
Safely to arrive at home
Jesus sought me when a stranger
Wandering from the fold of God
He, to rescue me from danger
Interposed His precious blood
Links: Thus far has the LORD helped us (1 May 10), Wait (29 May 10), Here I raise my Ebenezer (2 Jun 10)
Monday, 9 August 2010
Sunday, 8 August 2010
Aug 1 to 7
Aug 1: "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." - Romans 15:13 (NIV)
Aug 2: "Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God." - Psalm 90:2 (NIV)
Aug 3: "Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom." - Psalm 90:12 (NIV)
Aug 4: "I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought." - 1 Corinthians 1:10 (NIV)
Aug 5: "David said to Gad, "I am in deep distress. Let me fall into the hands of the LORD, for his mercy is very great; but do not let me fall into the hands of men."" - 1 Chronicles 21:13 (NIV)
Aug 6: "We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us." - 1 Corinthians 2:12 (NIV)
Aug 7: "You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarrelling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere men?" - 1 Corinthians 3:3 (NIV)
Aug 2: "Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God." - Psalm 90:2 (NIV)
Aug 3: "Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom." - Psalm 90:12 (NIV)
Aug 4: "I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought." - 1 Corinthians 1:10 (NIV)
Aug 5: "David said to Gad, "I am in deep distress. Let me fall into the hands of the LORD, for his mercy is very great; but do not let me fall into the hands of men."" - 1 Chronicles 21:13 (NIV)
Aug 6: "We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us." - 1 Corinthians 2:12 (NIV)
Aug 7: "You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarrelling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere men?" - 1 Corinthians 3:3 (NIV)
Saturday, 7 August 2010
Christ and the Church
Today I witnessed a friend's wedding and was reminded that God will make all things beautiful in His time.
"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)
"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)
The Greater and More Perfect Tabernacle
"Make an atonement cover of pure gold - two and a half cubits long and a cubit and a half wide. And make two cherubim out of hammered gold at the ends of the cover. Make one cherub on one end and the second cherub on the other; make the cherubim of one piece with the cover, at the two ends. The cherubim are to have their wings spread upward, overshadowing the cover with them. The cherubim are to face each other, looking toward the cover. Place the cover on top of the ark and put in the ark the Testimony, which I will give you. There, above the cover between the two cherubim that are over the ark of the Testimony, I will meet with you and give you all my commands for the Israelites." - Exodus 25:17-22 (NIV)
"Above the ark were the cherubim of the Glory, overshadowing the atonement cover. But we cannot discuss these things in detail now." - Hebrews 9:5 (NIV)
"Then the disciples went back to their homes, but Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus' body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot." - John 20:12 (NIV)
*****
"When Christ came as high priest of the good things that are already here, he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not man-made, that is to say, not a part of this creation." - Hebrews 9:11 (NIV)
"For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance - now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant." - Hebrews 9:15 (NIV)
"For Christ did not enter a man-made sanctuary that was only a copy of the true one; he entered heaven itself, now to appear for us in God's presence." - Hebrews 9:24 (NIV)
"Above the ark were the cherubim of the Glory, overshadowing the atonement cover. But we cannot discuss these things in detail now." - Hebrews 9:5 (NIV)
"Then the disciples went back to their homes, but Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus' body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot." - John 20:12 (NIV)
*****
"When Christ came as high priest of the good things that are already here, he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not man-made, that is to say, not a part of this creation." - Hebrews 9:11 (NIV)
"For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance - now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant." - Hebrews 9:15 (NIV)
"For Christ did not enter a man-made sanctuary that was only a copy of the true one; he entered heaven itself, now to appear for us in God's presence." - Hebrews 9:24 (NIV)
Friday, 6 August 2010
Seeking the Truth in Love
Charles Simeon (CS): Sir, I understand that you are called an Arminian; and I have been sometimes called a Calvinist; and therefore I suppose we are to draw daggers. But before I consent to begin the combat, with your permission I will ask you a few questions. Pray, Sir, do you feel yourself a depraved creature, so depraved that you would never have thought of turning to God, if God had not first put it into your heart?
John Wesley (JW): Yes, I do indeed.
CS: And do you utterly despair of recommending yourself to God by anything you can do; and look for salvation solely through the blood and righteousness of Christ?
JW: Yes, solely through Christ.
CS: But, Sir, supposing you were at first saved by Christ, are you not somehow or other to save yourself afterwards by your own works?
JW: No, I must be saved by Christ from first to last.
CS: Allowing, then, that you were first turned by the grace of God, are you not in some way or other to keep yourself by your own power?
JW: No.
CS: What then, are you to be upheld every hour and every moment by God, as much as an infant in its mother's arms?
JW: Yes, altogether.
CS: And is all your hope in the grace and mercy of God to preserve you unto His heavenly kingdom?
JW: Yes, I have no hope but in Him.
CS: Then, Sir, with your leave I will put up my dagger again; for this is all my Calvinism; this is my election, my justification by faith, my final perseverance: it is in substance all that I hold, and as I hold it; and therefore, if you please, instead of searching out terms and phrases to be a ground of contention between us, we will cordially unite in those things where in we agree.
- John Piper, A 250-yr-old Model: How Calvinist Simeon Related to Wesley
John Wesley (JW): Yes, I do indeed.
CS: And do you utterly despair of recommending yourself to God by anything you can do; and look for salvation solely through the blood and righteousness of Christ?
JW: Yes, solely through Christ.
CS: But, Sir, supposing you were at first saved by Christ, are you not somehow or other to save yourself afterwards by your own works?
JW: No, I must be saved by Christ from first to last.
CS: Allowing, then, that you were first turned by the grace of God, are you not in some way or other to keep yourself by your own power?
JW: No.
CS: What then, are you to be upheld every hour and every moment by God, as much as an infant in its mother's arms?
JW: Yes, altogether.
CS: And is all your hope in the grace and mercy of God to preserve you unto His heavenly kingdom?
JW: Yes, I have no hope but in Him.
CS: Then, Sir, with your leave I will put up my dagger again; for this is all my Calvinism; this is my election, my justification by faith, my final perseverance: it is in substance all that I hold, and as I hold it; and therefore, if you please, instead of searching out terms and phrases to be a ground of contention between us, we will cordially unite in those things where in we agree.
- John Piper, A 250-yr-old Model: How Calvinist Simeon Related to Wesley
Thursday, 5 August 2010
Why Truth Matters Most
It is evident that we have some intuition of the meaning of truth, even if we cannot articulate it very well philosophically. Truth is something we may know, or fail to know, but it is not something we should manipulate according to our own desires, fears, whims, or hatreds. Winston Churchill quipped that, "Men occasionally stumble over the truth, but most of them pick themselves up and hurry off as if nothing had happened." This barb underscores the value of truth to life.
Brushing away truth in the rush and tumble of life is somehow wrong - and we know it. If so, there must be another way of life that seeks, honours, and is willing to submit to truth, especially concerning matters of supreme consequence. This orientation requires a kind of courage - one of the classical virtues - since the truth may not be what we would prefer. It may make us uncomfortable. (It is revelatory that so many people today express approval by saying, "I'm comfortable with that," and disapproval by saying, "I'm not comfortable with that." Comfort is rather important when it comes to furniture and stereo headphones, but is utterly irrelevant when it comes to truth.)
Conversely, the pursuit of truth requires that one must shun sloth - one of the classical vices - since truth may be tucked under the surface of things and not easily ascertainable. Moreover, one should cultivate the virtue of studiousness instead of mere curiosity. Curiosity may be no more than lust for what one need not know (or should not know); and it may be driven by ulterior motives such as vanity, pride, or restlessness. Curiosity is not intrinsically good because it can lead to gossip, violations of privacy (snooping, voyeurism), and wasted intellectual time and effort - as represented by the content of any issue of People magazine. In other words, curiosity can be a vice, despite the fact that it is a principal passion (or lust) of contemporary Western culture.
Studiousness, on the other hand, earnestly inquires after what ought to be known in ways fitting the subject matter. Studiousness sniffs out its own areas of ignorance and pursues knowledge prudently, patiently, and humbly - not resting until what needs to be known has been pursued to its end. Thus, one labours to avoid both gullibility (holding too many false beliefs) and extreme skepticism (missing out on too many true beliefs).
- Douglas Groothuis, Why Truth Matters Most: An Apologetic for Truth-Seeking in Postmodern Times
Brushing away truth in the rush and tumble of life is somehow wrong - and we know it. If so, there must be another way of life that seeks, honours, and is willing to submit to truth, especially concerning matters of supreme consequence. This orientation requires a kind of courage - one of the classical virtues - since the truth may not be what we would prefer. It may make us uncomfortable. (It is revelatory that so many people today express approval by saying, "I'm comfortable with that," and disapproval by saying, "I'm not comfortable with that." Comfort is rather important when it comes to furniture and stereo headphones, but is utterly irrelevant when it comes to truth.)
Conversely, the pursuit of truth requires that one must shun sloth - one of the classical vices - since truth may be tucked under the surface of things and not easily ascertainable. Moreover, one should cultivate the virtue of studiousness instead of mere curiosity. Curiosity may be no more than lust for what one need not know (or should not know); and it may be driven by ulterior motives such as vanity, pride, or restlessness. Curiosity is not intrinsically good because it can lead to gossip, violations of privacy (snooping, voyeurism), and wasted intellectual time and effort - as represented by the content of any issue of People magazine. In other words, curiosity can be a vice, despite the fact that it is a principal passion (or lust) of contemporary Western culture.
Studiousness, on the other hand, earnestly inquires after what ought to be known in ways fitting the subject matter. Studiousness sniffs out its own areas of ignorance and pursues knowledge prudently, patiently, and humbly - not resting until what needs to be known has been pursued to its end. Thus, one labours to avoid both gullibility (holding too many false beliefs) and extreme skepticism (missing out on too many true beliefs).
- Douglas Groothuis, Why Truth Matters Most: An Apologetic for Truth-Seeking in Postmodern Times
Wednesday, 4 August 2010
The Lordship of Christ
As evangelical Christians we have tended to relegate art to the very fringe of life. The rest of human life we feel is more important. Despite our constant talk about the Lordship of Christ, we have narrowed its scope to a very small area of reality. We have misunderstood the concept of the Lordship of Christ over the whole of man and the whole of the universe and have not taken to us the riches that the Bible gives us for ourselves, for our lives and for our culture.
The Lordship of Christ over the whole of life means that there are no platonic areas in Christianity, no dichotomy or hierarchy between the body and the soul. God made the body as well as the soul and redemption is for the whole man. Evangelicals have been legitimately criticised for often being so tremendously interested in seeing souls get saved and go to heaven that they have not cared much about the whole man.
The Bible, however, makes four things very clear: (1) God made the whole man, (2) in Christ the whole man is redeemed, (3) Christ is the Lord of the whole man now and the Lord of the whole Christian life and (4) in the future, as Christ comes back, the body will be raised from the dead and the whole man will have a whole redemption. It is within this framework that we are to understand the place of art in the Christian life. Therefore, let us consider more fully what it means to be a whole man whose whole life is under the Lordship of Christ.
- Francis A. Schaeffer, Art and the Bible
The Lordship of Christ over the whole of life means that there are no platonic areas in Christianity, no dichotomy or hierarchy between the body and the soul. God made the body as well as the soul and redemption is for the whole man. Evangelicals have been legitimately criticised for often being so tremendously interested in seeing souls get saved and go to heaven that they have not cared much about the whole man.
The Bible, however, makes four things very clear: (1) God made the whole man, (2) in Christ the whole man is redeemed, (3) Christ is the Lord of the whole man now and the Lord of the whole Christian life and (4) in the future, as Christ comes back, the body will be raised from the dead and the whole man will have a whole redemption. It is within this framework that we are to understand the place of art in the Christian life. Therefore, let us consider more fully what it means to be a whole man whose whole life is under the Lordship of Christ.
- Francis A. Schaeffer, Art and the Bible
Tuesday, 3 August 2010
The Multiplier Effect
Good and evil both increase at compound interest. That is why the little decisions you and I make every day are of such infinite importance.
The smallest good act today is the capture of a strategic point from which, a few months later, you may be able to go on to victories you never dreamed of.
An apparently trivial indulgence in lust or anger today is the loss of a ridge or railway line or bridgehead from which the enemy may launch an attack otherwise impossible.
- C. S. Lewis, Mere Christianity
"It is easier to crush the egg than it is to kill the serpent." - Charles Spurgeon
"You can't stop the birds from flying over your head, but you can keep them from building a nest in your hair." - Martin Luther
"Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. Don't have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. And the Lord's servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful." - 2 Timothy 2:22-24 (NIV)
The smallest good act today is the capture of a strategic point from which, a few months later, you may be able to go on to victories you never dreamed of.
An apparently trivial indulgence in lust or anger today is the loss of a ridge or railway line or bridgehead from which the enemy may launch an attack otherwise impossible.
- C. S. Lewis, Mere Christianity
"It is easier to crush the egg than it is to kill the serpent." - Charles Spurgeon
"You can't stop the birds from flying over your head, but you can keep them from building a nest in your hair." - Martin Luther
"Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. Don't have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. And the Lord's servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful." - 2 Timothy 2:22-24 (NIV)
Monday, 2 August 2010
Closer to God
A young man was unemployed for several months and growing increasingly anxious, he went to speak to his pastor.
As he poured out his heart to the pastor, he said angrily: "I begged and begged God to speak to me but He never did. Why doesn't God answer?"
The old pastor who was sitting across the room spoke something so softly that the young man could not hear so he moved nearer to him and asked: "What did you say?"
The pastor repeated himself but again in a soft voice. The young man moved nearer again and asked: "What did you say?"
Finally, the young man got so near to the pastor that their heads were almost touching. The pastor then said: "Sometimes God whispers so that we will move closer to Him."
The ultimate purpose of divine guidance is so that we may grow closer to Him, and in drawing near, we are transformed into His likeness.
- Benny Ho, Discerning the Will of God
"Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God - this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - his good, pleasing and perfect will." - Romans 12:1-2 (NIV)
As he poured out his heart to the pastor, he said angrily: "I begged and begged God to speak to me but He never did. Why doesn't God answer?"
The old pastor who was sitting across the room spoke something so softly that the young man could not hear so he moved nearer to him and asked: "What did you say?"
The pastor repeated himself but again in a soft voice. The young man moved nearer again and asked: "What did you say?"
Finally, the young man got so near to the pastor that their heads were almost touching. The pastor then said: "Sometimes God whispers so that we will move closer to Him."
The ultimate purpose of divine guidance is so that we may grow closer to Him, and in drawing near, we are transformed into His likeness.
- Benny Ho, Discerning the Will of God
"Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God - this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - his good, pleasing and perfect will." - Romans 12:1-2 (NIV)
Sunday, 1 August 2010
Jul 22 to 31
Jul 22: "Let us acknowledge the LORD; let us press on to acknowledge him. As surely as the sun rises, he will appear; he will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth." - Hosea 6:3 (NIV)
Jul 23: "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." - Romans 8:1 (NIV)
Jul 24: "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." - Romans 8:28 (NIV)
Jul 25: "But you must return to your God; maintain love and justice, and wait for your God always." - Hosea 12:6 (NIV)
Jul 26: "Christ is the end of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes." - Romans 10:4 (NIV)
Jul 27: "That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." - Romans 10:9 (NIV)
Jul 28: "Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, "Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain." And God granted his request." - 1 Chronicles 4:10 (NIV)
Jul 29: "Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God - this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - his good, pleasing and perfect will." - Romans 12:1-2 (NIV)
Jul 30: "Love does no harm to its neighbour. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law." - Romans 13:10 (NIV)
Jul 31: "For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men." - Romans 14:17-18 (NIV)
Jul 23: "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." - Romans 8:1 (NIV)
Jul 24: "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." - Romans 8:28 (NIV)
Jul 25: "But you must return to your God; maintain love and justice, and wait for your God always." - Hosea 12:6 (NIV)
Jul 26: "Christ is the end of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes." - Romans 10:4 (NIV)
Jul 27: "That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." - Romans 10:9 (NIV)
Jul 28: "Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, "Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain." And God granted his request." - 1 Chronicles 4:10 (NIV)
Jul 29: "Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God - this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - his good, pleasing and perfect will." - Romans 12:1-2 (NIV)
Jul 30: "Love does no harm to its neighbour. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law." - Romans 13:10 (NIV)
Jul 31: "For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men." - Romans 14:17-18 (NIV)
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