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
Wednesday, December 25, 2013
Tuesday, December 17, 2013
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.
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)
-------------------------------------------------------------------
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.
Monday, December 2, 2013
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...
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...
Wednesday, November 20, 2013
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
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
Tuesday, November 12, 2013
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:
Monday, November 11, 2013
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
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
Friday, November 8, 2013
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
“ 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
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