How real is too real?
There are things we know God has not explained to us because there is no way we could comprehend them. 1 John 3:2 tells us that, "...we are God's children now, and what we will be has not not yet been revealed." Then again in Revelation 10:4, John heard what the seven thunders spoke, but was told seal it up; to not write it down. Ecclesiastes 3:7 also tells us there is "...a time to be silent and a time to speak."
So the question - or, in point of fact, the quest - is for us to find the right balance of truth, love, wisdom, passion, and compassion.
As much as I would love for there to be a distinct formula for this, there is really only one answer: Ask God daily for the wisdom to know what to say and when to say it. For every day, every person, and every circumstance is different. Then listen. Listen for the Spirit to move your heart and tongue in the right direction. Listen with faith, knowing that God desires for the light, love, and wisdom of His Son Jesus Christ to shine through you. And pray. "Pray constantly," so that you "Don't stifle the Spirit." (1 Thessalonians 5:17, 19)
Showing posts with label Bible-1 John 3. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bible-1 John 3. Show all posts
Monday, November 2, 2009
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
This Is How
The Word of God has spoken to me so powerfully over the last few days.
Yesterday, as I struggled with a lesson He has been teaching and proving to me, I was called to read 1 John 3:16-20.
This is how we have come to know love: He laid down His life for us. We should lay down our lives for our brothers. If anyone has this world's goods and sees his brother in need but shuts off his compassion from him - how can God's love reside in him?
Little children, we must not love in word or speech, but in deed and truth; that is how we will know we are of the truth, and will convince our hearts in His presence, because if our hearts condemn us, God is greater than our hearts and knows all things.
These verses answered two of the three questions I had laid before God that morning. I was humbled and amazed at how quickly He answered them and comforted me.
However, He wasn't done.
As I finished up day 5 of a Bible study I was doing, He answered the last question! After trying not to sob aloud in a coffee shop and regain my mental composure, I joined David in proclaiming, "What is man that You remember him, the son of man that you look after him?" (Psalm 8:4) To have an answer from the Lord is an amazing thing, but to have all three answered with a few hours with the Spirit affirming it loudly in my spirit, is overwhelming.
What a gracious and loving God we have!
How has He answered you lately? If He hasn't seemed to, are you waiting patiently on Him? As hard as it is to accept, His answers are never late or early. They come at just the right time. Remain faithful to the God who has proven Himself Faithful and True in every generation. He will not fail you.
Yesterday, as I struggled with a lesson He has been teaching and proving to me, I was called to read 1 John 3:16-20.
This is how we have come to know love: He laid down His life for us. We should lay down our lives for our brothers. If anyone has this world's goods and sees his brother in need but shuts off his compassion from him - how can God's love reside in him?
Little children, we must not love in word or speech, but in deed and truth; that is how we will know we are of the truth, and will convince our hearts in His presence, because if our hearts condemn us, God is greater than our hearts and knows all things.
These verses answered two of the three questions I had laid before God that morning. I was humbled and amazed at how quickly He answered them and comforted me.
However, He wasn't done.
As I finished up day 5 of a Bible study I was doing, He answered the last question! After trying not to sob aloud in a coffee shop and regain my mental composure, I joined David in proclaiming, "What is man that You remember him, the son of man that you look after him?" (Psalm 8:4) To have an answer from the Lord is an amazing thing, but to have all three answered with a few hours with the Spirit affirming it loudly in my spirit, is overwhelming.
What a gracious and loving God we have!
How has He answered you lately? If He hasn't seemed to, are you waiting patiently on Him? As hard as it is to accept, His answers are never late or early. They come at just the right time. Remain faithful to the God who has proven Himself Faithful and True in every generation. He will not fail you.
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Presenting the Gospel
We often try so hard to sum up the Gospel for people in a few concise verses, but it is somewhat difficult. Most people think of John 3:16, and I agree it is a great one, but I also like 1 John 3:23-24.
“Now this is His command; that we believe in the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and love one another as He commanded us. The one who keeps His commands remains in Him, and He in him. And the way we know that He remains in us is from the Spirit He has given us.”
One of the reasons I like these two verses is because it not only puts an emphasis on believing in Jesus, but in following His commands. In order to follow them, you have to read the rest of the Bible. It also addresses the problem of how we are sure we are His. I know it is not a complete presentation of the Gospel, but when you combine it with some others, it comes pretty close.
What are some of your favorite “Gospel Presentation” verses? Don't have any or want some more? Here is a list of some. Look them up and write a grouping which speaks to you on a piece of paper you can get to at any time. They will be your very own witnessing outline!
Luke 13:5
John 1:1, 14
John 14:6
Acts 2:37
Romans 3:23
Romans 5:8
Romans 6:23
Romans 8: 8, 13
Romans 8:28
Romans 10:9-10
Hebrews 7:25
1 John 2:4
1 John 4:9
“Now this is His command; that we believe in the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and love one another as He commanded us. The one who keeps His commands remains in Him, and He in him. And the way we know that He remains in us is from the Spirit He has given us.”
One of the reasons I like these two verses is because it not only puts an emphasis on believing in Jesus, but in following His commands. In order to follow them, you have to read the rest of the Bible. It also addresses the problem of how we are sure we are His. I know it is not a complete presentation of the Gospel, but when you combine it with some others, it comes pretty close.
What are some of your favorite “Gospel Presentation” verses? Don't have any or want some more? Here is a list of some. Look them up and write a grouping which speaks to you on a piece of paper you can get to at any time. They will be your very own witnessing outline!
Luke 13:5
John 1:1, 14
John 14:6
Acts 2:37
Romans 3:23
Romans 5:8
Romans 6:23
Romans 8: 8, 13
Romans 8:28
Romans 10:9-10
Hebrews 7:25
1 John 2:4
1 John 4:9
Friday, June 26, 2009
Are You Hated?
I'm back! Whew, what a trip. I'll have to share some of it with you later, but for now, I'd like to continue on with what I've been reading in 1 John. Besides, sometimes it takes us a while to process everything and this trip was certainly one of those...
One of the first verses that always pops out to me when reading 1 John 3 is verse 13. "Do not be surprised, brothers, if the world hates you." This seems to be such a harsh statement, but so true. If we are following Christ fully there are going to be many who hate us. Light annoys the darkness. It reminds me of what Jesus says in John 15:18-20. "If the world hates you, understand that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own. However, because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of it, the world hates you. Remember the word I spoke to you: 'A slave is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted Me. they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will also keep yours."
They problem comes in when we realize our natural tendency is to try and be liked by all. We don't want to be hated, so we try to do things to smooth it over and be popular with the world. I just heard of a church that passed out free beer on Father's Day in order to entice men to come to church. While I can see how that did get some people into a church who may have never gone before, I wonder what the point was. Now these people have a worldly expectation of the church which has nothing to do with salvation. I probably preached to Gospel, but were they sober enough to hear it? What about people who were alcoholics, or had the tendency? My point is that so many churches try to please the people, they loose creditability and the point of the Gospel. To be blunt, they are not "hated" enough.
Don't get me wrong - we don't need to try and be hated. Fun is allowed and great! We just need to make sure the world doesn't effect us too greatly. Don't be a heathen nor a Pharisee. Be a follower of Christ. Your attendance may dwindle and you will not be the most popular, but at least you will hear, "...Well done, good and faithful slave! You were faithful over a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Share your master's joy!" Matthew 25:23
One of the first verses that always pops out to me when reading 1 John 3 is verse 13. "Do not be surprised, brothers, if the world hates you." This seems to be such a harsh statement, but so true. If we are following Christ fully there are going to be many who hate us. Light annoys the darkness. It reminds me of what Jesus says in John 15:18-20. "If the world hates you, understand that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own. However, because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of it, the world hates you. Remember the word I spoke to you: 'A slave is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted Me. they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will also keep yours."
They problem comes in when we realize our natural tendency is to try and be liked by all. We don't want to be hated, so we try to do things to smooth it over and be popular with the world. I just heard of a church that passed out free beer on Father's Day in order to entice men to come to church. While I can see how that did get some people into a church who may have never gone before, I wonder what the point was. Now these people have a worldly expectation of the church which has nothing to do with salvation. I probably preached to Gospel, but were they sober enough to hear it? What about people who were alcoholics, or had the tendency? My point is that so many churches try to please the people, they loose creditability and the point of the Gospel. To be blunt, they are not "hated" enough.
Don't get me wrong - we don't need to try and be hated. Fun is allowed and great! We just need to make sure the world doesn't effect us too greatly. Don't be a heathen nor a Pharisee. Be a follower of Christ. Your attendance may dwindle and you will not be the most popular, but at least you will hear, "...Well done, good and faithful slave! You were faithful over a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Share your master's joy!" Matthew 25:23
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