In the Spirit or in the Flesh?

Read Matthew 18

This whole chapter is reminiscent of the sermon on the mount, and is another challenge to my heart. Consider the television... Is there any good thing there, or should we get rid of it altogether.  And even so - I live in a such a culture that to effectively escape such a time waster as television, I must get rid of the computer and the internet service altogether.

In the end it comes down to this: A personal discipline not to waste time on frivolous matters.  And a personal discipline for a time may be done in the flesh.  But is ought not to be so.  It must ultimately be a work of the Spirit.

In the flesh, for a time - until weakness strikes and I fail, I can stand the test.  But even so, am I standing?  In the flesh I do not obey the commands of the Word, fearing that I dare not let my guard down.  In the flesh, I become a legalist.

It is only in the Spirit victory can be attained.  And in the Spirit I must be humble.  I will be humbled by the Lord in my most obvious weakness.  I will be humbled by the world, those of whom cannot grasp my real motivation and will tag me as a legalist - because that's what it appears to the eye of flesh.

Lord,
     Give me Spirit led discipline to deny myself when I am becoming too worldly, and a humble heart to do so - when the world mocks me, and a tender ear to listen and obey the Spirits call - regardless of how it looks to this world.  Make me a Godly man, Lord.  Amen

Harold Camping dead at 92

Yesterday evening I read that he had succumbed, and perusing some of the comments made concerning this made me sad.  Indeed - I am quite frequently stunned at my own reaction to someone's death.  Ever sense I lost Mom and my brother Scott I guess I feel death more sharply.  And don't think for a minute that I am or ever was a follower of Mr. Camping.   But the comments I read were not warranted.  Though Mr. Camping's repentance of his predictive ways was less bold and sharp than I would have desired, he did repent. 

And what comes to my mind was that there are 2 possibilities for him.  Two possibilities which lead to only one response, humble sadness.  And that is distinctly NOT the response I was seeing in those comments.  Possibility one is that he was not truly repentant and that he, having led many down the path of deceit and disillusionment now is facing God's wrath - in which case we as believers ought not celebrate.  Or secondarily his repentance may have been as genuine and humble as a believer can have - in which case a response would certainly not be the snide comments I read yesterday. 

Should we be offended at a supposed believer making terribly false/wrong claims and shaming the name of Christ?  YES!  A thousand times over!  Yet if his repentance was true - and we cannot know except by evidence that he stopped his predictive ways - then I believe we ought as believers to have a more subtle muted response to his passing.  There but for the grace of God go I. 

The following is a Facebook note written May 23rd, 2011 - immediately after the last failed 'prophecy' of Mr. Camping.  (LINK:https://www.facebook.com/notes/dave-cox-ii/harold-camping-is-a-prophet/10150186485610869)
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Harold Camping IS a prophet.  But not just any prophet... He's a false prophet.  People who knew of the failed 1994 prediction knew - and no one should have been deceived. But many were, sadly.  And many more will now be jaded, and become mockers, scoffing. Sadly, though the Scripture warns us about false prophets and many anti-christ’s in the last days, this incident will simply bolster the opinion of many who do not agree with Its' beliefs.

Anyone can be misled, and we should not treat those who were Camping followers with contempt or pity.  But as for Mr. Camping himself, he ought to repent of this, publically and boldly, since he boldly and very publically proclaimed these things.

I mentioned in the subject of this note, that Mr. Camping is a Prophet... a false prophet.  One interesting irony is that he IS helping to fulfill at least this prophetic statement, from 2nd Peter 3:1 - 4, "Beloved, I now write to you this second epistle (in both of which I stir up your pure minds by way of reminder), that you may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us, the apostles of the Lord and Savior, knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.”"  Just like Caiaphas the high priest who prophesied that one should die for the nation (speaking of Christ), though Caiaphas did not know the truth of the very thing he prophesied.  Nevertheless, Mr. Camping's failed prediction will fuel the scoffers' fire.

Truly the end days are upon us, but who would dare to manipulate the plain teaching of Scripture?  Matthew 24:36 says, "“But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only."  The whole of Scripture tells us we should be preparing, yet not with a particular date in mind.  We are told of the seasons.  May we be wise and gain our wisdom from the Lord, and not our own schemes.

Angry without a cause?

Why am I so angry!?

what shall I do about it...
I am not justified in my wrath - but my peace does not return.
I myself am as guilty as the rest,
Nothing I can do can rectify it.

I am as hopeless as one can be.

Yet I believe.

I cannot comprehend that God would love a wretch so much as I.
I, who am perhaps more guilty than they, and yet try to justify myself...

I am afraid.
What if they know.

how can I defend myself?

I for whom Christ died?!  and how is He glorified in choosing a foul fool wretch like me anyhow? 
Why do I somehow think I should be privy to know?  Who am I but a dog...

There is no peace, my God says, for the wicked, and I know that by experience.

Oh Lord! help this foolish man!  Hold me together - make me yours.  Satisfy me with your lovingkindness.  For excepting your touch - I would destroy all whom I say I love. 

Hear my prayer Oh God!  Forgive me...

A devotional commentary on Isaiah 38 (to be read).

A life.

     No matter how long - is too short,

              Especially when told the end of it.

      For we were not supposed to die,

But live.

Hezekiah was told by God to get his house in order, “for you shall die”.  When a man tells another such a thing it is shocking, but it is only the opinion of another man.  Men have been wrong before, and will be so again.  But to receive such a message from the living God – that cannot be ignored!

Yet, though in bitterness, Hezekiah prayed, “Remember now, O LORD, I pray, how I have walked before You in truth and with a loyal heart, and have done what is good in Your sight.”

Dare any man bring to remembrance his ways before the Lord?!  I know I would be afraid, even ashamed, to do so, for who can stand before the Lord?  None, not even one.  But the one trusting in God’s love & salvation – he could stand…  Again I ask, Who dares to presume upon the Lord?

Indeed Hezekiah’s account (38:10-15) describes his struggle to stand reconciled before the living God.  I especially appreciate verse 14, “My eyes fail from looking upward. O LORD, I am oppressed; Undertake for me!”  In verse 16 Hezekiah begins to take a line from Psalm 46:10 (Be still, and know that I am God) and rests from all his defenses.  Oh that we would do likewise!  We cannot stand before Him!

He now begins to account for his sins and is quickly reminded that God is his only hope and has already delivered him from death of a much darker sort – the pit!  In verse 16 – 20, he simply repeats that the living shall praise Him and in that, Hezekiah means two things. While in physical life we do praise God, but after such life is over – only the living – not such as go down to the pit, will praise the Lord, and then in perfection!

Father, may my words be to your praise now and after my departure from this earthly pilgrimage.  Amen.

Originally published 23 March 2011 at 12:13 here:
https://www.facebook.com/notes/dave-cox-ii/a-devotional-commentary-on-isaiah-38-to-be-read/10150116984765869

A short devotion on Isaiah 41:8-10

8 But you, Israel, are My servant,  

  Jacob whom I have chosen, 

  The descendants of Abraham My friend.

  You whom I have taken from the ends of the earth,  

  And called from its farthest regions,

  And said to you, 

 

9 ‘You are My servant,  

   I have chosen you and have not cast you away:

  Fear not, for I am with you;  

  Be not dismayed, for I am your God.  

  I will strengthen you,  Yes, I will help you,  

  I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’

Such a powerful and encouraging statement from the mouth of the Lord! Firstly we are told of God's encountering Israel.  This is no accidental meeting.  In his sovereignty God, of His own pleasure, chose Israel.  This is so significant that he repeats it in verse 9.

Have you ever thought how comforting the doctrine of election can be?  And though we do not merit this attention, yet He has some expectation for us - as He calls us twice - just as in choosing His servants.  To be a servant implies service.  We are not told or elaborated upon what the service is, however, is it not apparent that the choice is not based upon the serving?

Consider what the tenor of the passage is... It is to encourage the chosen.   I have called you, taken you, not cast you off, and will strengthen you!  Indeed, he says He will "uphold you with my righteous right hand" Not only do we not get His attention by merit, we do not keep it through our work, He keeps us!

It is true, that we can see our good works are a blessing to others and to ourselves, but not to keep His attention. Indeed our works are but filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6) before a righteous judge such as He -- these works simply testify to ourselves and others of the amazing work that our God has done in us!

 

Father, let me never take for granted your choice of me!  Amen.

Originally published 13 April 2011 at 13:19 here:

https://www.facebook.com/notes/dave-cox-ii/a-short-devotion-on-isaiah-418-10/10150152414855869

The Plans of the Lord

I was reading in Isaiah this morning.  Isaiah 14: 24-27 says,  "The Lord of hosts has sworn, saying, "Surely, as I have thought, so it shall come to pass, And as I have purposed, so it shall stand: That I will break the Assyrian in My land, And on My mountains tread him underfoot. Then his yoke shall be removed from them, and his burden removed from their shoulders.  This is the purpose that is purposed against the whole earth, and this is the hand that is stretched out over all the nations. For the Lord of hosts has purposed, And who will annul it? His hand is stretched out, and who will turn it back?"

And it brought back a little song from a Vacation Bible School in the past.  The song was a paraphrase of Psalm  33:10-11, " The Lord brings the counsel of the nations to nothing; He makes the plans of the peoples of no effect.  The counsel of the Lord stands forever, the plans of His heart to all generations."

What an encouragement!  Though the plans of men seemingly go forward without hindrance, He is not taken aback!  His plans are not thrown aside!  And we know that if we are his children we can have confidence in His plan and way.  Consider this thought... Did not many true children of the Lord perish in the Holocaust of WWII?  Of course!  Was God's purpose pushed aside?  To say so would be to say He is not God, and that He is not able to save us who trust in Him.  On the contrary, “the counsel of the Lord stands forever, the plans of His heart to all generations!”  That generation (WWII) is included in His purposes.   Though we may not see or recognize his plans does not in the least invalidate them.  He says the following through the mouth of Jeremiah the prophet, "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope." (29:11) For a larger picture of our Gods plans and purposes, read the whole 33rd chapter Jeremiah!  What an encouraging place to read.

Of course, all these plans and purposes are to those called by his name.  Look at this well known verse from Romans, "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose." (8:28)

Are you one of those “called according to His purpose”?  Those who perished in the Holocaust were not all his children.  And we do well to examine ourselves to see if we are in the faith.  The very passages which to us who are being saved a blessing, store up a curse for those whose life is not shaped by His hand.  Does your life reflect the Savior?  Are you grieved at the things happening in this world which diminish His name?  True Christians will be known by our love one for another.  Do you get angry at the word sin, or does it cause you to be grieved at your own life?

All of us have and do sin and are sinful, even to the very core of our heart.  Scripture maintains that ""The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; Who can know it?" (Jeremiah 17:9)  To look at our heart and think we have good within is to be deceived!  Look instead to the Bible and to God, by whom we ought to measure ourselves.  If we find we are lacking by His standard, cry unto Him and he will hear and save!  Then you will be able to, with all His children, find true hope in these times, for I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope!

Originally published 11 December 2010 at 08:09 here:
https://www.facebook.com/notes/dave-cox-ii/the-plans-of-the-lord/470356285868

Are you poor in spirit?

Thus says the LORD:
“ Heaven is My throne,
And earth is My footstool.
Where is the house that you will build Me?
And where is the place of My rest?
2 For all those things My hand has made,
And all those things exist,”
Says the LORD.

“ But on this one will I look:
On him who is poor and of a contrite spirit,
And who trembles at My word. (Isaiah 66:1-2)

Our Lord makes a plain statement of reality.  How often though do we forget?  We sometimes think that our offerings are special or new or helpful.  But are they?

Just 2 chapters earlier in Isaiah 64 we read of our righteousness’s being as filthy rags before the Lord. And even if our deeds were good in some way - what could we offer to Him who is enthroned in heaven?!  It would be like a child who takes o book off your bookshelf, wraps it up, and offers it to you as a gift!  We chuckle at the attempts of little children - but do we do the same thing?  And of that gift, when our child offers it in ignorance - we overlook such and accept it. Why?  Because of the tender contrite spirit that it is offered.

Oh that we would realize the only offering our Lord desires is a tender contrite spirit - this he will not despise. (Psalm 51:17)  How often we fail to see that "The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart, And saves such as have a contrite spirit." (Psalm 34:18)  But if we want the attention of our God - His eye is on "him who is poor and of a contrite spirit, and who trembles at [His] word."  The Beatitudes of Matthew 5 speak of this in verses 3-5, and verse 10.

Our Lord is humble.  Paul in Philippians 2 tells us that he humbled himself to the point of death.  Death - not in some easy way... but of the long, agonizing, painful, public and wrongful death in crucifixion.  The Lord who did all this, on the night He was betrayed, took a bowl of water and wiped the disciples feet.  Those men who would deny him - abandon Him, and one of which would betray Him.  He washed the feet of Judas.  That.....is humility.

May we ever consider what it is to be of contrite heart, that we may gain the attention of the Father - for no gift is as sweet as the one which recognizes our position before Him.  Amen.

Originally published 10/25/2011 here:
https://www.facebook.com/notes/dave-cox-ii/are-you-poor-in-spirit/10150336717535869

If God has a claim on you, you are sure.

Isaiah 63:11-14

Look at the following phrases:
vs. 11 brought them up out of the sea
vs. 12 led them... with His glorious arm
vs. 13 led them through the deep
vs. 14 So You lead Your people, to make Yourself a glorious name.

Our God not only remembers us when we are in the midst of the sea or the great deep, but He leads us out by His glorious arm to make a glorious name for Himself!!

Do you realize that God's claim on you, though carrying responsibilities, is your guarantee of His keeping you?  Or consider this - Would God risk His glorious name on the strength of a man to save himself?  God is leading you out of troubled waters not so much because of His love for you, though that love be great, but because of His namesake!  It is frequently considered that we cannot earn our way into heaven - which is ever so true. But consider this, though we fail at every turn, if we are His we will prevail - not because of our efforts, but because of His name and claim upon you.

So then - what do we do as followers?  Make sure of His claim upon your soul! Examine yourselves to see that you are in the faith - for His namesake, because He who began a good work in you will be faithful to complete it in Christ. 

Amen.

Originally published 10/6/2011 here:
https://www.facebook.com/notes/dave-cox-ii/if-god-has-a-claim-on-you-you-are-sure/10150319322530869

Devotional thoughts on Isaiah 66:1-5

I am a morning person.  My Lord knows this. Yet even in the morning I struggle in the understanding of His Word.  It is not like a simple newspaper reading, written at a sixth grade level.  Our Lord – though he condescends is not condescending.  That is to say He does not make it easy – just because we struggle with it.  Sometimes wisdom comes in the struggle with the text.  We see that our God is not some one-dimensional being made up in the mind of a man – though many believe this foolishness.  God is.

And to say that is at once to assault the idea that He is a made up idea – a puppet of our imagination.  God is real and He does not act condescendingly toward us – though He condescends.  It is He who has made us and not we ourselves. (Psalm 100)Since this is so, He knows the stuff we are made of, and knows that those who are His children, who ask, can comprehend His Word.

In verses 1 and 2 (Isaiah 66) the Lord reveals that He desires those of a contrite heart to look upon.  For anyone to be in the eye of the Lord is a blessing indeed!  Yet the text moves quickly to those who are not the contrite.  Those who have banished the contrite – for the Lord’s sake!? (vs. 5)

Verse 3 speaks of those who twist the laws of God to their own way, those who by a crude spirit, carry out the Word of God as they desire.  They are not interested in true contrition for the breaking of God’s law – but a quick completing of its requirements to the letter…  And what does the One who sees from the heart see?

Abomination!

Swine’s blood!

The sacrifice of a dog!

Murder!

Following the letter of the law does not always get you the blessing you desire – doing so with a contrite heart of love to God always will!

Lord, may I be always right in my manner of offering, as well as the heart.  For your eye is on the tender broken spirit.

originally posted 26 October 2011 at 07:23 here:
https://www.facebook.com/notes/dave-cox-ii/isaiah-661-5-devotional-thoughts/10150337857165869

My Advocate

Matt 12:36-7, "But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the Day of Judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”

 

There is an accounting we must give.  It is a spoken defense of all we have done, said, and even our thoughts are subject to this judgment. 

What will we say?

What will I say?  I have no excuse.  Nothing I could or would say will be adequate. For there is none righteous, not one.  (Romans 3:10-13) My very throat is an open grave and very truly my words will be justification or condemnation, life or death to me.  (Psalm 14)

What will I say?  If I begin looking for an out -- there is no out, for God sees the very heart.  I cannot lie, perjure, or excuse any one action in my life.  I will fail if I seek to defend myself - and not due to a lack of courtroom procedural knowledge.  I will fail the test itself.  My very defense condemns me!

In football some say the best defense is a good offense... but can I come out stronger or more righteous than God Himself?!  Even to think the thought is frightening!

What I need is a legal advocate who will remove my wicked deeds from the courts record.  One who will speak in my behalf, not to hide those deeds, for nothing is hid before God (Heb. 4:13), but that the deeds be expunged from my record and yet justly accounted for...

And my advocate must be as righteous as God Himself, so that he has opportunity to present my case before Him - for every wicked mouth will be stopped. (Rom 3:19)  Like a sword his words must present a case before the judge in such a manner that the Judge will not only be convinced, but even pleased to release me.  (Heb. 4:12 & Rev. 1:16)

What about the jury?  No need of one - for such is the manufacture of men for judicial systems which are not perfect and which may at times find crimes which are no crimes or laws which are not righteous.  Yet in the Holy economy of God- this courtroom Judge, and law is established and absolutely sound.  There are no moral flaws to be found. (Psalm 89:14 & 97:2)

It really is only a matter of the record of actions which I have done, balanced not, as so popularly presented, against the better actions I have done (for indeed - the truth be known, I have done no purely good actions anyway!),  But my infractions are evaluated against the law itself.  It is only a matter of the law being upheld - For God is just.  A proverb comes to mind here, "He who justifies the wicked, and he who condemns the just, both of them alike are an abomination to the Lord." (Pro 17:15) 

My only hope is to fall on the mercy of the Judge if He is pleased to hear my case - for I am guilty.  But my advocate has found a way.  He will take the penalty himself, as he needs not pay on his own behalf, and His holiness is such that it can cover a multitude of sins.

My friend, have you a multitude of sins which must be accounted for?  Do not hide them, and try the courts patience in your stammering empty defense.  Try my advocate, Jesus Christ the Righteous.  You will not be disappointed!

"But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness, just as David also describes the blessedness of the man to whom God imputes righteousness apart from works: “Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, And whose sins are covered; Blessed is the man to whom the Lord shall not impute sin."

(Romans 4:5-8 & Psalm 32:1-2)

A fatal choice?

On Sunday June 16^th I was preparing for a Sunday school lesson later that morning and was reviewing numerous verses on election and fatalism.  Perhaps my blog post on May 30^th was still on my mind.  Regardless, this subject has been upon my mind a lot lately.  When I prepare for a Sunday school lesson, I begin thinking about the subject a week or more before the class, and on the morning of, I begin gathering the relevant passages, and review them.  One of the most interesting passages was that of the Parable of the Talents found in both Matthew & Luke (Matt. 25:14-30; Luke 19:11-27).  But before we get to the parable, let's consider what we do know about our God and election.

God made his choice of us long before creation and even before sin (Ephesians 1:3-5).  The remedy for sin, Christ on the cross (1 Peter 1:20), was determined at this time also.  Never let the thought enter your mind that God sent his Son as "plan b"!  Not only did He plan a remedy, but he did so at great expense to himself, out of an extreme grace!

Some notable verses are listed here for you to ponder:
Prov. 16:9 "A man’s heart plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps."
Prov. 16:33 "The lot is cast into the lap, But its every decision is from the Lord."
Matt. 22:14 “For many are called, but few are chosen.”
2 Thes. 2:13b "God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth"
Acts 18:9-10 "Now the Lord spoke to Paul in the night by a vision, 'Do not be afraid, but speak, and do not keep silent; for I am with you, and no one will attack you to hurt you; for I have many people in this city.'"

As for the intent of this post - it is not to debate election at any rate - but rather to explain it plainly and particularly.  So often it ends up frequently twisted into religious fatalism.  The word election in the original is really just a word that means choice.  Yet in light of God doing the choosing, it bears more thought.  You and I do change our mind.  And for good cause, too!  Many times we find that we made a mistake, we goofed and make a mid-stream correction.  Often when we chose something ahead of time, we have to back up and alter our choice which was based upon a faulty or inadequate decision process.  But to say such of God, takes away part of His essential deity!  For if God, who by definition as God is perfect, were to change, he'd be less than perfect, and no longer God!  Therefore we must protect, as it were, our definition and understanding of Him as perfect and unchangeable, since it bears on His essential character. 

But consider what that means when we think of Him, before the foundation of the world, choosing a man, choosing a plan, establishing his will before he even begins to work it out!  If this really is God we are talking about, what an assurance it gives to us!  Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today & forever! (Heb. 13:8) 

Yet we do still have a problem...

What about the objection that God is cold and unloving in his choices?  At one level we really do not have to even answer this, for God defines good.  If, in our opinion, we chafe at His choice, the matter is really with our own opinion.  We have to bear in mind that this is God and he is NOT a man.  And the definition of His perfection and essential deity come under scrutiny for us to question Him so.  Nevertheless - if we do, with a bit of reverence, we may discover something of His other characteristics that bear strongly on the question.

And why not embrace fatalism - since indeed, if God HAS chosen already, and our end is determined after all, what hope do we have?  Should we all just "Eat drink & be merry, for tomorrow, we die"?!   Here is where we will look at the parable of the talents (or minas).  I will quote the part of the parable that bears upon the argument here: 

Matt. 25:24 “Then he who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed.  25 And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.’

26 “But his lord answered and said to him, ‘You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed.  27 So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest.  28 Therefore take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents.

29 ‘For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away.  30 And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

Please note the attitude that the man with one talent had toward his lord.  He says, "I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours."  It is as though he was slapping in the face, his lord!  One would say that someone with that attitude would clearly be out of line!  And look plainly at the very phrase, "I knew you to be a hard man".  If so, he clearly did not honor his lord, not with his attitude, nor with his actions, as his lord showed saying, "So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest." 

I find it interesting that the lord in this parable is depicted as a good and honorable man by the first two servants, and they received a reward for their efforts.  Whereas the servant who had no respect toward his lord, received a reward equal to his lack of respect.  And if we begin to have a hard attitude like this man toward our Lord, we should expect no less from Him. 

Remember, that this is the One who has willingly, while we were still sinners, sent His Son to die for us (Rom. 5:8).  His Son willingly went to the cross out of love for us.  He left us His Word that we might be able to gain a heart of wisdom and walk in freedom from sin’s penalty, as we have been delivered.  And for us to call him a hard lord, is a slap in the face of all that He has done for us.  And what would you do, if you had done that much for someone, despite their active hatred of you, and you had loved someone so much that you would (in a sense) overlook those offenses and offer to them a truly loving and gracious offer of friendship, and they spat in your face?!

We have nothing to offer to this gracious Lord, but he offers to us Christ - which is everything!  How ought we to respond but in gratitude!  Job lost much in his trials, yet never did he accuse God of unrighteousness.  Who are we to put our defense before the Lord, "I knew you to be a hard man"  Instead let us resolve to beg for forgiveness of Him.  For He has said in John 6:37, " All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out."  Here is not fatalism, but a trusting of the One who is Good and is Loving.  Look at 1 Peter 5:6-7, "Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you."

When I was 16 years old at my very 1st job, I had a brutal job to do.  It was a landscaping job and we were raking dirt, moving boulders, laying down rotten granite paths, etc.  On this one day it was particularly hot and we were sweating fiercely!  One of the managers had left and returned from town with something like four 6-packs of soda of varying types.  As he was passing them out, he offered me a Mountain Dew, and I requested a Pepsi.  "Beggars can't be choosers!"  It was like a slap in the face.  I wasn't begging?  My pride began to well up within and I felt the hot flash of blood to my face.  But I was, fortunately, not foolish enough to act upon such a visceral response.  Instead I backed away and popped the can and drank.  Strangely, that was the BEST Mountain Dew I ever drank! 

But isn't that curious, Beggars can't be choosers.  God is the chooser - we are the beggars.  But take heart my friends, we serve a gracious and kind God.  He is hard to those who treat him contemptuously, but for those who humble themselves and consider all that He has done for us, unworthy as we are, He cares for us!  He will by no means cast us aside! 

Thank you Father for such Love!  Amen.

Did you think to pray?

Prayer is such a thorny matter.  It is hard work. It's revealing work.  It's brainy work; rationalism says, “Why bother to ask an omniscient God for what He knows you need?”  It's humbling.  It's not easy.  Yet it is a simple matter, even if it is not easy. 

So simple that Christ could give us a pattern to follow.  In fact, we have the Lord's Prayer in 2 places in Scripture (Matt. 6:9-13 and Luke 11:2-4).  We have His prayer in Gethsemane (Matt. 26:36-43).  We have Daniels prayer for the nation in Daniel 9:3-19.  Examples of prayer are set before us in many places for our edification.  And as for that rationalistic objection - though there may be a truth to it, it is fatalism. 

Fatalism is a cancer to true faith and we must not let our faith be hi-jacked by it.  We do not serve a God of mere logic.  He may be grasp-able, however, we must not let our own understanding of Him get in the way of who He is actually.  Consider the following: Does He choose some to be saved, completely apart from their actions, and pass over others justly?  Yes.  Does that mean we do not plead with Him for our own souls?!  Not on your life!  “All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out.” (John 6:37)  The God I serve is not capricious or fatalistic in any way.  He desires us to ask Him - just as a father, whose intent previously determined, was to get ice cream for his children.  As fathers we love to reward our children with a positive answer - when asked aright.  How much more the Holy Righteous God of the universe desires to be asked?  Not in some patronizing manner, but from a spirit provoked to action.  This provocation may be from His Spirit or even as the petitioner considers the very nature of His character and responds to that.  And He is pleased by this.  Indeed, He is honored by this.  And that is just the point.

And we have even more warrant to pray – Matt 6:8b answers the rationalistic person’s objection plainly enough.  "…For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him."  Yet - we are commanded to pray.  We need not treat Him as some cheap idol, a god which must be appeased, like some second rate deity whose omnipotence must be stroked every so often.  God is not like a man.  He is the great I am, and needs nothing from me.  He is not some genie whose lamp I must rub just the right way or I get nothing.  He knows both what I will ask for, and what I really need.  He even knows when the best time and way to answer is.

Our problem is we are too much into personal idolatry.  He doesn't answer us when or how we want, and we cannot control Him. (see James 4)

Let us resolve to come to Him humbly, laying down all our expectations.  Do ask.  But do so in a manner honoring to Him.  Ask expecting - because He is good.  He may give us something other than what we ask or expect - but that is exactly the answer we need right now.

Lord, help us to pray.   Amen.
(Here is an e-book by R.C.Sproul on prayer - I think its free!  http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0038OMARG/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0038OMARG&linkCode=as2&tag=ligoniminist-20  )

Jesus Christ – God’s final Word

I am studying in Matthew during my devotions these days.  I have never studied deeply in the synoptics, or perhaps I should rephrase that - I have never studied systematically through any one of them.  I have traveled through John, as well as several of the wisdom literature books, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, James, and some of the epistles.  But never the synoptic gospels and so last month as I was finishing up in Proverbs I was pondering which book to take up next, and I chose Matthew.  So this morning as I was reading through Matthew 2:19-23 I took up this line of thinking...

Matthew 2:22b "And being warned by God in a dream..." How many times do we see warnings by God in dreams since beginning this exploration of Matthew?

·         1:20  Admonishment to Joseph to take Mary as his wife.
·         2:12  Warning to the Magi not to go back to Herod.
·         2:13  Warning to Joseph to flee to Egypt.
·         2:19  Message to Joseph to return to his homeland.
·         2:22  Warning to Joseph not to settle in Judea.

In addition to all these divine warnings/messages are the Magi and their understanding of the Star of David, "We have seen His star in the east and have come to worship Him."

God is interested in his people! He speaks to men!

But does this mean he still sends messages via dreams?

Read Hebrews 1:1-4, "God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds; who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become so much better than the angels, as He has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they."

...and now Hebrews 2:1-4, "Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away. For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just reward, How shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him, God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will?"

So God speaks to us in these last days by His Son, Jesus the Christ... And not just the red letters either, but every page of the New Testament speaks of Christ.  How and why He came, and what He accomplished, and to whom He did it for, and when and where all this took place.

"For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily" (Col. 2:9) 

"For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us." (2 Cor. 1:20)

"For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ." (2 Cor. 4:6)

God DOES still speak to us!  But He does it through Christ.  The trouble is that we often do not want to hear what He has to tell us!  Oh and aren't we proud.  Aren't we sophisticated.  Aren't we critical.  Oughtn't we to be humble?  Is it not a spirit of humility we should be clothed in?

 In today’s passage we read of a man, Joseph, who had to submit to Gods messages by dreams and angels- not once or twice, but 4 distinct times!  And do we not have a more sure witness?  Look at 2 Peter 1:19-21, "And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts; knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit." 

Let us resolve to honor God's final word to us, Christ, for we have His message!  For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. "God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Rom. 5:8)

A truism of modern communication

How to begin.... What does one say when anger overtakes him? 

Frustration takes root alongside bitterness...

Several months ago I determined to quit Facebook, even to the point of a blog post over it(http://mysoapbox2.blogspot.com/2012/08/quitting-facebook.html)... yet in the end I felt my justification was petty, and selfish.  But there are matters that Facebook and e-mail bring to bear on society and at times I really struggle over them (http://mysoapbox2.blogspot.com/2012/11/you-hypocrite.html).  The last time it was a FB Post with obscenities and so it was this time...

 Looking for discernment in a virtual world...  I guess you could say that I am struggling with the old Christian tightrope of being "in the world, but not of it"  (1 John 2:15) And as I struggle I begin to recall the words of the Psalmist, Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God. (42:5) And being reminded of Him who is the Sovereign reminds me of how quickly I fall back to believing the great lie.

What is that great lie?  Why – It’s the lie that says I shouldn't be frustrated, that I should have everything wrapped around my fingers. The lie that, in Satan’s words, "You will be like God" and I recall in my humility the words of Psalm 42 again, "These things I remember, as I pour out my soul: how I would go with the throng and lead them in procession to the house of God with glad shouts and songs of praise, a multitude keeping festival." (42:4)

I have been a deacon in the church.  I have preached His Word.  I have counseled the downhearted, the sick.  …Yet I am nothing.  It was all Him who works effectually within me (Gal 2:8).  But I remember...as the Psalmist did, and find myself in need of an attitude adjustment. 

I struggle as I see in me a form of hypocrisy and do not know how to reconcile it.  Here are the 2 great commandments:

Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.” (Matt 22:37-40) 

Yet in my day by day relationships I uncritically tolerate bad behavior and bad speech from my co-workers... while at the same time being quite critical of a niece's choice of picture to post...  And I ask myself - why?  I SHOULD love my neighbor (anyone I come across, according to Luke 10:29-37) as much as I love myself- as much as I love my family, as much as I love my niece, but I do not.  I don't hold my co-workers to the same standard as I do my family and I reckon that I should... 

I also wonder how I reconcile the idea of separation from wickedness with the ideas already presented.  It's easy spot a bad behavior or action and condemn it. It's not so easy to confront a loved one (and all OUGHT to be loved ones) in a loving manner.  So how am I doing?  Not so good lately!

And I'd like to blame it on the medium.  Truly, the modern sound bite text message world DOES place obstacles before our communicating in any manner, let alone lovingly.  And working in the world today, I have learned certain "rules" if you will, to do so... 

-          Never address an important email until it’s properly composed (you wouldn't want it to accidently be sent because of one errant keystroke!)

-          Never send a passionately written message until you have cooled down... for the same reason - Passion can get in the way of rational thinking. 

There are others.  But how to communicate lovingly - I don't have a rule for that... And I have yet to find a way to communicate adequately some things.  I believe that it may be a truism that some matters are ONLY communicated lovingly in person, period.  And therein we see the dilemma... We live in a cyber world where many of our friendships and relationships are rarely close enough physically to have that periodic visit over coffee or whatever and have caring heart to heart talks with one another. 

May the LORD grant discernment to us and may we patiently bear up under all circumstances. 

Those who seek the Lord understand...

Evil men do not understand justice,
But those who seek the Lord understand all. (Proverbs 28:5)

There is a word which describes the evil mindset – twisted.  And one whose mind is set upon evil ways – His conscience bothering him(Romans 2:15) will seek a way to sooth it, to justify his evil ways.  And in doing so he deludes himself that his ways aren’t nearly so evil – after all, look at the good things he does.  After a while he sees the evil path as the good way and righteousness does not even appeal to him, for it appears to be twisted to him…

Yet the pang of conscience is not over – before he is finally given over to the wicked way he knows the justifying of evil by a good act does not follow – at least in the beginning he knows that that is true.  However, once he is given over – none of these ideas cross his mind and his delusion prevails. (Romans 1:21)

But those who seek the Lord understand all.

This is not to say that the righteous know all.  In fact, the verse does not even speak of the righteous.  It speaks of, “those who seek the Lord”.  These ones understand all.  What does that mean?  Certainly not that they know all things, but that understanding will be given them.  It could be said to understand God is to know all…

All of us are twisted at some level.  All of us have gone astray (Isaiah 53:6) – yet those who seek the Lord understand justice especially – for to seek the judge of all the earth is to find oneself judged for all those twisted ways.  And to find that this judge will in no way cast aside any (John 6:37) but he himself seeks all to come to repentance. (I Timothy 2:4) This judge is a righteous judge who will not ignore sin – yet so loving a judge that he volunteered his own son to stand in your place that justice might be meted out as required and still be righteous in letting a sinner go free.

Evil men do not understand justice,
But those who seek the Lord understand all.

Come to the Lord and humbly submit to His lordship – He will by no means acquit the guilty (Numbers 14:18), yet his love knows no boundaries. (I Corinthians 13) From the least to the greatest of sinners, all may be set free. 

Don’t make the mistake of letting pride stand before a Holy righteous judge.  It does not follow that he could let you go on your own merit – unless he is an unrighteous judge.