Tuesday, October 8, 2013
Thursday, December 13, 2012
Remember the inside of the fish
Jonah 2:1 "Then Jonah prayed to the Lord his God from inside the fish."
How many times have we been there? We are stuck in a situation of peril of our own making. We recognize God's grace but at the same time we are swimming in the guilt of our disobedience. Shame is wrapped around our head like a piece of seaweed. And the only thing we can think to do is pray to our God from inside of the fish.
So the question that begs to be asked is, "where's your fish?" If we've all been there then we all have a fish. But the fish looks different for each of us. So where's your fish? Is it that moment right after that recurring sin has happened again in your life? Is it that silence in the room after your angry voice has just bounced off the walls and through the hearts of those you love? Is it when your eyes are blurred with the tears of apology? Is it that place at the altar where you meet Jesus when you mess up? Is it the loneliness of failure? We all have a fish. That place where repentance seems to be the only thing we know to do. That place where God's grace seems so available and our prayers drip with sincerity.
Look at a portion of Jonah's prayer inside of the fish. "...I sank down to the very roots of the mountains. I was imprisoned in the earth, whose gates lock shut forever. But you, O LORD my God, snatched me from the jaws of death! As my life was slipping away, I remembered the LORD. And my earnest prayer went out to you in your holy Temple. Those who worship false gods turn their backs on all God's mercies. But I will offer sacrifices to you with songs of praise, and I will fulfill all my vows. For my salvation comes from the LORD alone." (Jonah 2:6-9)
Jonah is so aware of God's grace.
Now look at Jonah's prayer outside of the fish. "...Didn't I say before I left home that you would do this, LORD? That is why I ran away to Tarshish! I knew that you are a merciful and compassionate God, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. You are eager to turn back from destroying people. Just kill me now, LORD! I'd rather be dead than alive if what I predicted will not happen." (Jonah 4:2-3)
Jonah had just told the people of Nineveh they would be destroyed. They repented and God relented. The grace Jonah had so desperately sought inside of the fish he now despises outside of the fish.
So my plea for you today. Remember the inside of the fish. It will keep you closer to God's grace and His heart.
How many times have we been there? We are stuck in a situation of peril of our own making. We recognize God's grace but at the same time we are swimming in the guilt of our disobedience. Shame is wrapped around our head like a piece of seaweed. And the only thing we can think to do is pray to our God from inside of the fish.
So the question that begs to be asked is, "where's your fish?" If we've all been there then we all have a fish. But the fish looks different for each of us. So where's your fish? Is it that moment right after that recurring sin has happened again in your life? Is it that silence in the room after your angry voice has just bounced off the walls and through the hearts of those you love? Is it when your eyes are blurred with the tears of apology? Is it that place at the altar where you meet Jesus when you mess up? Is it the loneliness of failure? We all have a fish. That place where repentance seems to be the only thing we know to do. That place where God's grace seems so available and our prayers drip with sincerity.
Look at a portion of Jonah's prayer inside of the fish. "...I sank down to the very roots of the mountains. I was imprisoned in the earth, whose gates lock shut forever. But you, O LORD my God, snatched me from the jaws of death! As my life was slipping away, I remembered the LORD. And my earnest prayer went out to you in your holy Temple. Those who worship false gods turn their backs on all God's mercies. But I will offer sacrifices to you with songs of praise, and I will fulfill all my vows. For my salvation comes from the LORD alone." (Jonah 2:6-9)
Jonah is so aware of God's grace.
Now look at Jonah's prayer outside of the fish. "...Didn't I say before I left home that you would do this, LORD? That is why I ran away to Tarshish! I knew that you are a merciful and compassionate God, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. You are eager to turn back from destroying people. Just kill me now, LORD! I'd rather be dead than alive if what I predicted will not happen." (Jonah 4:2-3)
Jonah had just told the people of Nineveh they would be destroyed. They repented and God relented. The grace Jonah had so desperately sought inside of the fish he now despises outside of the fish.
So my plea for you today. Remember the inside of the fish. It will keep you closer to God's grace and His heart.
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
Man the gates
I Chronicles 26 begins with the assignment of the gatekeepers. It names all the tribes of gatekeepers and then it wraps up with this little phrase.
"They were assigned by families for guard duty at the various gates, without regard to age or training, for it was all decided by means of sacred lots." (I Chron 26:13)
I want to remind you today that you are a gatekeeper. God has placed you in your family, church, and community as a controller of what comes into their lives. He has assigned you to keep watch over what is allowed to enter their lives. Note what the verse said "without regard to age or training". You don't get a pass at guarding the gate. It doesn't matter your age. You can't be too young. You can't be too old. It doesn't matter your ability. God is not waiting for you to get strong enough, smart enough, or popular enough. You are a gatekeeper. Period. It was decided by sacred lots.
What is a sacred lot? For the Israelites it was simply a way to choose. Like drawing straws or eenie-meenie-minie-moe, it was totally a game of chance. Could you imagine the responsibility of guarding the city coming down to chance? Well, that's not exactly accurate. The term "sacred" means that their was a divine determining factor in the choice. Proverbs says it like this, "We may throw the dice, but the Lord determines how they fall."(Prov 16:33) As the little green aliens from "Toy Story" would say, "you have been chosen."
So what does all of this mean? It means, "Be alert." You have a duty to fulfill. And there are lives hanging in the balance depending on how effective you are in your duty. This is the weight of the gatekeeper. So open your eyes. The enemy is not trying to distract you so that you will keep your eyes focused on him and fall in a pit. He is trying to keep your eyes off the gate where hordes of enemy forces are waiting to invade. So "Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour." (I Peter 5:8)
God chose you. You are ready for this task. Stand strong. Bolster your faith! Be the gatekeeper. Your family, church, and friends will appreciate it. Even if they never notice. You are a gatekeeper.
"They were assigned by families for guard duty at the various gates, without regard to age or training, for it was all decided by means of sacred lots." (I Chron 26:13)
I want to remind you today that you are a gatekeeper. God has placed you in your family, church, and community as a controller of what comes into their lives. He has assigned you to keep watch over what is allowed to enter their lives. Note what the verse said "without regard to age or training". You don't get a pass at guarding the gate. It doesn't matter your age. You can't be too young. You can't be too old. It doesn't matter your ability. God is not waiting for you to get strong enough, smart enough, or popular enough. You are a gatekeeper. Period. It was decided by sacred lots.
What is a sacred lot? For the Israelites it was simply a way to choose. Like drawing straws or eenie-meenie-minie-moe, it was totally a game of chance. Could you imagine the responsibility of guarding the city coming down to chance? Well, that's not exactly accurate. The term "sacred" means that their was a divine determining factor in the choice. Proverbs says it like this, "We may throw the dice, but the Lord determines how they fall."(Prov 16:33) As the little green aliens from "Toy Story" would say, "you have been chosen."
So what does all of this mean? It means, "Be alert." You have a duty to fulfill. And there are lives hanging in the balance depending on how effective you are in your duty. This is the weight of the gatekeeper. So open your eyes. The enemy is not trying to distract you so that you will keep your eyes focused on him and fall in a pit. He is trying to keep your eyes off the gate where hordes of enemy forces are waiting to invade. So "Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour." (I Peter 5:8)
God chose you. You are ready for this task. Stand strong. Bolster your faith! Be the gatekeeper. Your family, church, and friends will appreciate it. Even if they never notice. You are a gatekeeper.
Monday, January 9, 2012
Little place
When they were safely out of the city, one of the angels ordered, “Run for your lives! And don’t look back or stop anywhere in the valley! Escape to the mountains, or you will be swept away!” “Oh no, my lord!” Lot begged. “You have been so gracious to me and saved my life, and you have shown such great kindness. But I cannot go to the mountains. Disaster would catch up to me there, and I would soon die. See, there is a small village nearby. Please let me go there instead; don’t you see how small it is? Then my life will be saved.” “All right,” the angel said, “I will grant your request. I will not destroy the little village. But hurry! Escape to it, for I can do nothing until you arrive there.” (This explains why that village was known as Zoar, which means “little place.”) (Genesis 19:17-22 NLT)
As I read this today I had this thought, "How many times has God tried to call me to the mountains but I refused to go and settled for the little place?"
There are two reasons I can identify that Lot rejected the mountain:
1)Fear - "Disaster would catch up with me there and I would soon die."
Why does fear continue to be a trump card in our Christian walk? It's as if we look to God and say, "I know you think that's the best place for me but I'm not sure you've really thought this through." Remind yourself this, the creator of the universe is probably able to discern the best path for your life.
2) - Proximity to sin "See there is a small village nearby"
Are there things in your life that keep you connected to sins you struggle with? The scripture isn't clear on whether or not Lot was involved in the riotous lifestyle of Sodom. But to steal a line from the magic 8 ball "all signs point to yes." Understand, there is a spiritual draw within the power of sin. And you have to ask the question, if Sodom was so detestable to God thy had to be destroyed why did Lot want to live just outside of it?
But perhaps the scariest part of this story is the fact that when Lot asked not to go to the place God wanted to send him the angel allowed it to happen. So again I ask, How many times has God tried to call me to the mountains but I refused to go and settled for the little place?
As I read this today I had this thought, "How many times has God tried to call me to the mountains but I refused to go and settled for the little place?"
There are two reasons I can identify that Lot rejected the mountain:
1)Fear - "Disaster would catch up with me there and I would soon die."
Why does fear continue to be a trump card in our Christian walk? It's as if we look to God and say, "I know you think that's the best place for me but I'm not sure you've really thought this through." Remind yourself this, the creator of the universe is probably able to discern the best path for your life.
2) - Proximity to sin "See there is a small village nearby"
Are there things in your life that keep you connected to sins you struggle with? The scripture isn't clear on whether or not Lot was involved in the riotous lifestyle of Sodom. But to steal a line from the magic 8 ball "all signs point to yes." Understand, there is a spiritual draw within the power of sin. And you have to ask the question, if Sodom was so detestable to God thy had to be destroyed why did Lot want to live just outside of it?
But perhaps the scariest part of this story is the fact that when Lot asked not to go to the place God wanted to send him the angel allowed it to happen. So again I ask, How many times has God tried to call me to the mountains but I refused to go and settled for the little place?
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Dear children
I John 5:21
MSG - Dear children, be on guard against all clever facsimiles.
NIV - Dear children, keep yourselves from idols.
NLT - Dear children, keep away from anything that might take God's place in your hearts.
I came across this verse today and it struck me. It hit me right between the eyes. And I began to question in myself, "Is there anything that is taking God's place in my heart?" This, my friends, is a big question. I don't think it is one you can ask and quickly answer. I think it is one you ask and you search for a day or two or maybe even a week to see if there is ANYTHING that MIGHT be taking God's place in your hearts. So, I find myself in that process today. My initial thought is NO! But what if there is something? What does that look like? The word "idol" seems so foreign to me. I haven't seen one except in a museum, on a missions trip, or behind the counter at a gas station with some incense burning. But I don't have to face 100ft statues in my neighborhood. And if I did this verse makes it very clear to stay away from them. But with a more modern twist on it, replacing "idol" with "anything that might take God's place", the reality of what John is saying hits me in the face. Apparently, in that era, John was dealing with false gods and people who claimed to be believers but really weren't worshiping the God of the Bible, the true God. He mentions it in the verse before. "And we know that the Son of God has come, and he has given us understanding so that we can know the true God." But think about it in your life. Most of us don't live in the proximity of outward idols. Yet we all know people who claim to be Christians and don't live the life that is in congruence with the Christ of the Bible. And maybe I don't live in congruence with the Christ of the Bible all the time either. And I guess that's why it hit me in the face today. "Dear children, keep away from anything that might take God's place in your hearts." Search your heart today. Is there ANYTHING that MIGHT take God's place in your hearts?
MSG - Dear children, be on guard against all clever facsimiles.
NIV - Dear children, keep yourselves from idols.
NLT - Dear children, keep away from anything that might take God's place in your hearts.
I came across this verse today and it struck me. It hit me right between the eyes. And I began to question in myself, "Is there anything that is taking God's place in my heart?" This, my friends, is a big question. I don't think it is one you can ask and quickly answer. I think it is one you ask and you search for a day or two or maybe even a week to see if there is ANYTHING that MIGHT be taking God's place in your hearts. So, I find myself in that process today. My initial thought is NO! But what if there is something? What does that look like? The word "idol" seems so foreign to me. I haven't seen one except in a museum, on a missions trip, or behind the counter at a gas station with some incense burning. But I don't have to face 100ft statues in my neighborhood. And if I did this verse makes it very clear to stay away from them. But with a more modern twist on it, replacing "idol" with "anything that might take God's place", the reality of what John is saying hits me in the face. Apparently, in that era, John was dealing with false gods and people who claimed to be believers but really weren't worshiping the God of the Bible, the true God. He mentions it in the verse before. "And we know that the Son of God has come, and he has given us understanding so that we can know the true God." But think about it in your life. Most of us don't live in the proximity of outward idols. Yet we all know people who claim to be Christians and don't live the life that is in congruence with the Christ of the Bible. And maybe I don't live in congruence with the Christ of the Bible all the time either. And I guess that's why it hit me in the face today. "Dear children, keep away from anything that might take God's place in your hearts." Search your heart today. Is there ANYTHING that MIGHT take God's place in your hearts?
Monday, April 4, 2011
What are you craving?
Numbers 11:5 “We remember the fish we used to eat for free in Egypt. And we had all the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions, and garlic we wanted. 6 But now our appetites are gone. All we ever see is this manna!"
In the midst of their deliverance the Israelites began to crave the sustenance they had in Egypt. Even though the meal was provided for them while they were in chains, they saw it as a "free" meal. And even though the Lord was faithful everyday to provide food in the form of manna, they became unsatisfied with their sustenance from the Lord. I will say that again for emphasis, they became unsatisfied with their sustenance from the Lord.
Is a steady diet of the Word and presence of God enough for your life? I have been so guilty of complaining for more than what the Lord gives. Don't ask an unchanging God to change it up a bit! He says in 2 Peter 1:3, "His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness." It is not a matter of taste. It is not a matter of resources. It IS a matter of craving.
Have the things of God lost flavor in your life? If so, what are you craving?
In the midst of their deliverance the Israelites began to crave the sustenance they had in Egypt. Even though the meal was provided for them while they were in chains, they saw it as a "free" meal. And even though the Lord was faithful everyday to provide food in the form of manna, they became unsatisfied with their sustenance from the Lord. I will say that again for emphasis, they became unsatisfied with their sustenance from the Lord.
Is a steady diet of the Word and presence of God enough for your life? I have been so guilty of complaining for more than what the Lord gives. Don't ask an unchanging God to change it up a bit! He says in 2 Peter 1:3, "His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness." It is not a matter of taste. It is not a matter of resources. It IS a matter of craving.
Have the things of God lost flavor in your life? If so, what are you craving?
Don't you know?
Numbers 10:35 And whenever the Ark set out, Moses would shout, “Arise, O Lord, and let your enemies be scattered! Let them flee before you!” 36 And when the Ark was set down, he would say, “Return, O Lord, to the countless thousands of Israel!”
In I Corinthians 6 right at the end of the chapter Paul writes, "Or don't you know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God?" He goes on to one of my favorite verses, "You are not your own you have been bought with a price." But if the first part is true that we are the temple of the Holy Spirit, then we are the dwelling place of God's Spirit. (interesting thought) And if so then could we relate in some ways our own bodies to the ark of the covenant which is mentioned there in Numbers 10?
If you can make that correlation then you should also feel free to shout, "Arise, O Lord, and let your enemies be scattered! Let them flee before you!", each time we get up. Or at the very least we can shout it each morning as we wake up. This lines up with other scripture that says, "So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you." James 4:7 We have authority in Christ's name to scatter the enemy from our lives.
Moses didn't shout because he was moving but because God was moving. You should walk in that same confidence today. "Or don't you know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God?" So what are you waiting for? Shout!
In I Corinthians 6 right at the end of the chapter Paul writes, "Or don't you know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God?" He goes on to one of my favorite verses, "You are not your own you have been bought with a price." But if the first part is true that we are the temple of the Holy Spirit, then we are the dwelling place of God's Spirit. (interesting thought) And if so then could we relate in some ways our own bodies to the ark of the covenant which is mentioned there in Numbers 10?
If you can make that correlation then you should also feel free to shout, "Arise, O Lord, and let your enemies be scattered! Let them flee before you!", each time we get up. Or at the very least we can shout it each morning as we wake up. This lines up with other scripture that says, "So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you." James 4:7 We have authority in Christ's name to scatter the enemy from our lives.
Moses didn't shout because he was moving but because God was moving. You should walk in that same confidence today. "Or don't you know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God?" So what are you waiting for? Shout!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)