There is a line in the Star Spangled Banner that has always stood out to me:
And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.
Francis Scott Key, the composer of this hymn, wrote these lines in the poem "Defence of Fort McHenry" after watching the battle in the War of 1812. How interesting that it was the destructive bombs and killing rockets that helped to give them hope. The lights from these shone down on their flag, proving it was still flying high. If they had been defeated, the flag would have been first to go. It was a symbol of not only what they stood and were fighting for in general, but also gave them encouragement through a specific battle.
Christians are living on the battle field today.
For our fight is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, the authorities, against the world powers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens. Ephesians 6:12
What do we do when the bombs of the enemy tear families and friends apart? How do we cope when the rockets of condemnation, hatred, lust, and greed pierce our minds and those around us?
First, their trails of light remind us that we are at war, so hit your knees in prayer. We were told this would happen. Jesus says in John 16:33, "I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world."
Jesus is our flag. We see Him support us through these hurts and are reminded that we will win the war. The battles may be intense, but the outcome is assured. Even in all the enemy's schemes, Jesus will shine bright. We only need to have our eyes focused in the right direction.
Showing posts with label Bible-John 16. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bible-John 16. Show all posts
Monday, July 5, 2010
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
The Great Pretender
Today I was speaking with someone telling them about the amazing things God has done in my life- things that can only be attributed to God. They kept exclaiming how unbelievable it was, and I was so excited thinking that perhaps today was the day they could deny Him no longer. Then I mentioned a specific concerning one of my medical miracles, and they latched on to it. "Well, that has happened for me too!" Yet, as they explained their situation I saw how easily Satan can sway those who are his to believe in his "miracles" too. Yes, he has the power on this earth to bless people to blind them. How infuriating!!
I find comfort in two very important things though:
1.) 2 Timothy 2:19a "Nevertheless, God's solid foundation stands firm, having this inscription: The Lord knows those who are His..." I can save no one, and if the Lord chooses this person as a precious child of His, He will make it so.
2.) My God wins in the end. John 16:33 Jesus says, "I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world."
I find comfort in two very important things though:
1.) 2 Timothy 2:19a "Nevertheless, God's solid foundation stands firm, having this inscription: The Lord knows those who are His..." I can save no one, and if the Lord chooses this person as a precious child of His, He will make it so.
2.) My God wins in the end. John 16:33 Jesus says, "I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world."
Monday, November 9, 2009
Translating
Yesterday morning the worship service at our church combined with the Hispanic congregation who usually meets after us. We were able to sing songs together in English and Spanish: Even the choir special switched between the two languages during the chorus. It was such a beautiful reminder that our God is the God of “...every tribe and language and people and nation.” (Revelation 5:9)
As my pastor, Mike, gave the sermon, the Hispanic pastor, Jorge, would translated. Because of this, Pastor Mike had to speak in short, or broken sentences in order to let Pastor Jorge interpret without getting too bogged down or lost. I have to say I was tickled by the fact that Wal-Mart is Wal-Mart, no matter the language and Paul is called Pablo. I just never pictured him as a Pablo.
As I sat there listening, it occurred to me that the sermon was more concise because of the need to listen and translate. Stopping to wait allowed Pastor Mike time to chose his next words more carefully instead of a thought being allowed to play out in full. It also gave Pastor Jorge time to figure out how best to translate a sentence. What a wonderful example of how we should speak to others! Not only do we need to take time to stop and think even as we are speaking, but we need to take time and hear what the Spirit has to say to us before we open our mouths to those around us.
Our tongue, or words, are difficult to control. Psalm 52:4 says, “You love any words that destroy, you treacherous tongue!” and in Proverbs 21:23, “The one who guards his mouth and tongue keeps himself out of trouble.” The book of James gives us further insight on the wisdom of pausing to tame the tongue. James 1:26, “If anyone thinks he is religious, without controlling his tongue but deceiving his heart, his religion is useless.” and again in James 3:2, “...If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a mature man who is also able to control his body.” What amazing emphasis is placed on controlling our words: It will effect our whole body!
As we pause before speaking, we are to be listening to what the Spirit guides us to say for the Father. “When the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all the truth. For He will not speak on His own, but He will speak whatever He hears. He will also declare to you what is to come.” (John 16:13) Christ also tells us over and over in the book of Revelation, “Anyone who has an ear should listen to what the Spirit says to the churches.” (Chapters 2 & 3)
I realize that we can not stop every few moments in our conversations with people to cock our heads skyward, listening for guidance from the Spirit. It is something we just have to pray for and be sensitive to while we are speaking. And the only way to accomplish that is by spending time in the Word daily and praying constantly! So take a few moments to pray for His guidance in your speech today. Ask Him to keep you sensitive to His promptings and for your tongue to get stuck to the roof of your mouth if your flesh starts taking over!
As my pastor, Mike, gave the sermon, the Hispanic pastor, Jorge, would translated. Because of this, Pastor Mike had to speak in short, or broken sentences in order to let Pastor Jorge interpret without getting too bogged down or lost. I have to say I was tickled by the fact that Wal-Mart is Wal-Mart, no matter the language and Paul is called Pablo. I just never pictured him as a Pablo.
As I sat there listening, it occurred to me that the sermon was more concise because of the need to listen and translate. Stopping to wait allowed Pastor Mike time to chose his next words more carefully instead of a thought being allowed to play out in full. It also gave Pastor Jorge time to figure out how best to translate a sentence. What a wonderful example of how we should speak to others! Not only do we need to take time to stop and think even as we are speaking, but we need to take time and hear what the Spirit has to say to us before we open our mouths to those around us.
Our tongue, or words, are difficult to control. Psalm 52:4 says, “You love any words that destroy, you treacherous tongue!” and in Proverbs 21:23, “The one who guards his mouth and tongue keeps himself out of trouble.” The book of James gives us further insight on the wisdom of pausing to tame the tongue. James 1:26, “If anyone thinks he is religious, without controlling his tongue but deceiving his heart, his religion is useless.” and again in James 3:2, “...If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a mature man who is also able to control his body.” What amazing emphasis is placed on controlling our words: It will effect our whole body!
As we pause before speaking, we are to be listening to what the Spirit guides us to say for the Father. “When the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all the truth. For He will not speak on His own, but He will speak whatever He hears. He will also declare to you what is to come.” (John 16:13) Christ also tells us over and over in the book of Revelation, “Anyone who has an ear should listen to what the Spirit says to the churches.” (Chapters 2 & 3)
I realize that we can not stop every few moments in our conversations with people to cock our heads skyward, listening for guidance from the Spirit. It is something we just have to pray for and be sensitive to while we are speaking. And the only way to accomplish that is by spending time in the Word daily and praying constantly! So take a few moments to pray for His guidance in your speech today. Ask Him to keep you sensitive to His promptings and for your tongue to get stuck to the roof of your mouth if your flesh starts taking over!
Monday, September 14, 2009
Blessed Are: Those Who Mourn
Blessed are those who mourn, because they will be comforted.
Matthew 5:4
This verse begs the thought, "But I wouldn't have to be comforted if I wasn't mourning!"
That's the whole point, though. We would never realize the need for a Savior, if we never felt the need to be saved. That is our great comfort: Our salvation. Once again we need to not look at our lives in cute little boxes of time that we can comprehend. We were created to exist for eternity. The mourning we experience here in this lifetime for the sins we commit will be comforted by the blood of Jesus Christ as we share in His eternal inheritance from the Father.
Don't get upset! We will have comfort here in this life as well through the joy the Spirit gives us. Jesus speaks of this kind of joy to the disciples just before His crucifixion. "I assure you: You will weep and wail, but the world will rejoice. You will become sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn to joy. When a woman is in labor she has pain because her time has come. But when she has given birth to a child, she no longer remembers the suffering because of the joy that a person has been born into the world. So you also have sorrow now. But I will see you again. Your hearts will rejoice, and no one will rob you of your joy." John 16:20-22
What a beautiful picture of our birth to salvation. When we are convicted of the sin within our own lives we are in anguish, but do not worry - our time has come! We will then be comforted with the joy of our new lives in Christ. Jesus promised the disciples that no one could take away their joy once He was resurrected. History tells us that they all lived difficult lives and died horrible deaths for the sake of the Gospel, yet they were comforted with the joy of their salvation to the end.
Does that count for everyone who mourns? Sadly, no. Remember Judas, Jesus' betrayer? He mourned his decision to betray Him, but did not accept the comfort of salvation. He tried to comfort himself by ending his own life. (Matthew 27:3-5) We must never forget that the only true comfort comes from the Comforter. It is nothing we can obtain on our own.
Matthew 5:4
This verse begs the thought, "But I wouldn't have to be comforted if I wasn't mourning!"
That's the whole point, though. We would never realize the need for a Savior, if we never felt the need to be saved. That is our great comfort: Our salvation. Once again we need to not look at our lives in cute little boxes of time that we can comprehend. We were created to exist for eternity. The mourning we experience here in this lifetime for the sins we commit will be comforted by the blood of Jesus Christ as we share in His eternal inheritance from the Father.
Don't get upset! We will have comfort here in this life as well through the joy the Spirit gives us. Jesus speaks of this kind of joy to the disciples just before His crucifixion. "I assure you: You will weep and wail, but the world will rejoice. You will become sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn to joy. When a woman is in labor she has pain because her time has come. But when she has given birth to a child, she no longer remembers the suffering because of the joy that a person has been born into the world. So you also have sorrow now. But I will see you again. Your hearts will rejoice, and no one will rob you of your joy." John 16:20-22
What a beautiful picture of our birth to salvation. When we are convicted of the sin within our own lives we are in anguish, but do not worry - our time has come! We will then be comforted with the joy of our new lives in Christ. Jesus promised the disciples that no one could take away their joy once He was resurrected. History tells us that they all lived difficult lives and died horrible deaths for the sake of the Gospel, yet they were comforted with the joy of their salvation to the end.
Does that count for everyone who mourns? Sadly, no. Remember Judas, Jesus' betrayer? He mourned his decision to betray Him, but did not accept the comfort of salvation. He tried to comfort himself by ending his own life. (Matthew 27:3-5) We must never forget that the only true comfort comes from the Comforter. It is nothing we can obtain on our own.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Don't Be Jesus To Anyone
I know I have a bad habit of taking popular phrases and finding something that could be wrong with them. Perhaps it's that I just look at things differently and have difficulty in taking things at face value. One saying which recently popped in my mind at an odd time was the question, “Are you being Jesus to those around you?” Now, I know this is meant to inspire us to be kind and loving to a lost world and that we need to share the Gospel of Christ to all. However, it just sounds wrong to me. I can't be Jesus to anyone! He was, and is, perfect. He is the object of our devotion. We owe Him everything for the sacrifice He made for us. I can't do any of those things.
Another problem is that sometimes Christians are Jesus to those around them. Too many pastors, teachers, or mentors are idolized by those they are trying to reach. The imperfect human is then placed on the pedestal Jesus should be on. When they fail, as they will at times, the devotee rejects Christianity as a farce; as something that has failed them.
I want to propose a slightly different phrase and give you a few reasons why. I know there are things that can be said wrong about this one as well (Remember the “I'm not perfect” statement earlier?), but I like it a bit better:
Are you being (the) Holy Spirit to those around you?
First off, the Holy Spirit dwells in imperfect people. We mess up at times no matter how hard we try. However, the Spirit lives within us to help guide, empower, and comfort Christians. Isn't that what we should be doing for the lost? We live in this imperfect world as the Spirit lives within us. We need to guide them to the Truth, amaze them with our emotional/spiritual strength, and comfort them in this difficult world, just as the Spirit does for us.
My favorite comparisons come from John 16:13-14. Jesus says, “When the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all the truth. For He will not speak on His own, but will speak whatever He hears. He will also declare to you what is to come. He will glorify Me, because He will take from what is Mine and declare it to you.”
1. The Spirit guides us into all truth / We are to guide others into all truth
2. The Spirit does not speak on His own, but what He hears from the Father / We would do well to imitate this. So often we love to spread out own opinions about Christianity when we need to stop, listen to what the Father would have us say, and then say only that.
3. The Spirit declares to us what is to come / We need to have the courage to tell the world, not just what Jesus can do for them now, but what He will be saving them from.
4. The Spirit glorifies Jesus through what the Father has given His Son / We are to glorify Jesus in all that we do through the love, compassion, boldness, and faith we receive from Him.
Another thing the Holy Spirit does for us, that we don't like to talk about as much, is to burden and chasten us when we need it. That is another thing we need to do for those around us, but in a loving manner. Remember, He never forces us, and when we do choose wrong is there to comfort us in our repentance.
So what are you to those around you? Jesus? The Holy Spirit? Or just another bump on the log?
Another problem is that sometimes Christians are Jesus to those around them. Too many pastors, teachers, or mentors are idolized by those they are trying to reach. The imperfect human is then placed on the pedestal Jesus should be on. When they fail, as they will at times, the devotee rejects Christianity as a farce; as something that has failed them.
I want to propose a slightly different phrase and give you a few reasons why. I know there are things that can be said wrong about this one as well (Remember the “I'm not perfect” statement earlier?), but I like it a bit better:
Are you being (the) Holy Spirit to those around you?
First off, the Holy Spirit dwells in imperfect people. We mess up at times no matter how hard we try. However, the Spirit lives within us to help guide, empower, and comfort Christians. Isn't that what we should be doing for the lost? We live in this imperfect world as the Spirit lives within us. We need to guide them to the Truth, amaze them with our emotional/spiritual strength, and comfort them in this difficult world, just as the Spirit does for us.
My favorite comparisons come from John 16:13-14. Jesus says, “When the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all the truth. For He will not speak on His own, but will speak whatever He hears. He will also declare to you what is to come. He will glorify Me, because He will take from what is Mine and declare it to you.”
1. The Spirit guides us into all truth / We are to guide others into all truth
2. The Spirit does not speak on His own, but what He hears from the Father / We would do well to imitate this. So often we love to spread out own opinions about Christianity when we need to stop, listen to what the Father would have us say, and then say only that.
3. The Spirit declares to us what is to come / We need to have the courage to tell the world, not just what Jesus can do for them now, but what He will be saving them from.
4. The Spirit glorifies Jesus through what the Father has given His Son / We are to glorify Jesus in all that we do through the love, compassion, boldness, and faith we receive from Him.
Another thing the Holy Spirit does for us, that we don't like to talk about as much, is to burden and chasten us when we need it. That is another thing we need to do for those around us, but in a loving manner. Remember, He never forces us, and when we do choose wrong is there to comfort us in our repentance.
So what are you to those around you? Jesus? The Holy Spirit? Or just another bump on the log?
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Peace
This morning I am sitting in an amazing little coffee shop named JoZoara that has a super-nice staff. It even reminds me of Alaska a little bit. Outside it's sunny and warm, while cool and shady inside. There is a large cup of hot tea in front of me with relaxing music playing in the background. I'm catching up on emails and blogs and have my Bible open next to me.
I'm at peace.
These are the times that it is easy to be at peace. Everything seems right in the world- At least for this moment. The problem with the world is that it seldom remains this way. Not long before Jesus' crucifixion, He warned and comforted the disciples. He knew they were going to run and hide. He said, “Look: An hour is coming, and has come, when each of you will be scattered to his own home, and you will leave Me alone. Yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me. I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world.” John 16:32-33 He had also said to them earlier in John 14:27, “Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Your heart must not be troubled or fearful.”
So what kind of peace is this? Obviously, it's not a happiness or calmness which the world considers peace. I think Biblical peace is a secure knowledge and faith in God that He will work everything out in the end. No matter what the trial, He overcomes.
It is something we have to practice daily. Pray Philippians 4:6-7 with me today, “Don't worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses every thought, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”
Let it is a comfort to us and a witness to this chaotic world.
www.jozoaracoffeeshop.com
I'm at peace.
These are the times that it is easy to be at peace. Everything seems right in the world- At least for this moment. The problem with the world is that it seldom remains this way. Not long before Jesus' crucifixion, He warned and comforted the disciples. He knew they were going to run and hide. He said, “Look: An hour is coming, and has come, when each of you will be scattered to his own home, and you will leave Me alone. Yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me. I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world.” John 16:32-33 He had also said to them earlier in John 14:27, “Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Your heart must not be troubled or fearful.”
So what kind of peace is this? Obviously, it's not a happiness or calmness which the world considers peace. I think Biblical peace is a secure knowledge and faith in God that He will work everything out in the end. No matter what the trial, He overcomes.
It is something we have to practice daily. Pray Philippians 4:6-7 with me today, “Don't worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses every thought, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”
Let it is a comfort to us and a witness to this chaotic world.
www.jozoaracoffeeshop.com
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