“For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin.” (Hebrews 4:15)
I’m thankful that Jesus understands my weaknesses. I have a love-hate relationship with them; sometimes I’m frustrated with my weaknesses and want to change, other times I feel comfortable and complacent and don’t desire change. Complacency is one of the biggest temptations that we in the United States face.
Sunday, October 28, 2007
Sunday, October 14, 2007
Hard Lessons
“During the days of Jesus' life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered.” (Hebrews 5:7-8)
Obedience and suffering are subjects that, like submission and waiting, are not the subjects of today’s popular Christian teachers. I find the above passage puzzling and intriguing: why would God need to “learn obedience”? It requires a better theologian than me to explain it. I can only speculate that it had to do with Jesus’ human nature. The flesh does not enjoy submission, suffering, and obedience, but as I reflect on my own experience I agree that they are great teachers.
Obedience and suffering are subjects that, like submission and waiting, are not the subjects of today’s popular Christian teachers. I find the above passage puzzling and intriguing: why would God need to “learn obedience”? It requires a better theologian than me to explain it. I can only speculate that it had to do with Jesus’ human nature. The flesh does not enjoy submission, suffering, and obedience, but as I reflect on my own experience I agree that they are great teachers.
Sunday, October 7, 2007
God's Will
“For this is the will of God, your sanctification.” (1 Thess 4:3)
"Those who cleanse themselves ... will be instruments for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work." (2 Tim 2:21)
When I hear the will of God referred to, it is almost always in the context of making a decision, like moving, staying at the same job or taking another, or choosing a school. I think that more emphasis should be placed on becoming more Christ like in character. If we become more like Jesus, then wherever we live, work, or go to school, or whatever we do, we will be better able to shine His light in that situation.
“We might think that God wanted simply obedience to a set of rules: whereas He really wants people of a particular sort." (C.S. Lewis)
"Those who cleanse themselves ... will be instruments for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work." (2 Tim 2:21)
When I hear the will of God referred to, it is almost always in the context of making a decision, like moving, staying at the same job or taking another, or choosing a school. I think that more emphasis should be placed on becoming more Christ like in character. If we become more like Jesus, then wherever we live, work, or go to school, or whatever we do, we will be better able to shine His light in that situation.
“We might think that God wanted simply obedience to a set of rules: whereas He really wants people of a particular sort." (C.S. Lewis)
Sunday, September 30, 2007
Crushed
The name Gethsemane means “oil press”. The following is a description of the production of olive oil in Ancient Israel.
“In the fall harvested olives were brought from the terraced orchards and spread out on the flat circular platform to be crushed with the heavy stone roller. The oil ran through the surrounding channel into the adjacent rock-cut vat.”
“He was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:5)
[References: MacArthur Study Bible note on John 18:1,
http://www.fas.harvard.edu/~semitic/HOAI/adultmain.cgi?article=oil-wine.htm]
“In the fall harvested olives were brought from the terraced orchards and spread out on the flat circular platform to be crushed with the heavy stone roller. The oil ran through the surrounding channel into the adjacent rock-cut vat.”
“He was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:5)
[References: MacArthur Study Bible note on John 18:1,
http://www.fas.harvard.edu/~semitic/HOAI/adultmain.cgi?article=oil-wine.htm]
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Waiting Hopefully
“Those who wait for the LORD will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary.” (Isaiah 40:31)
The word translated “wait” here in the NASB is translated “hope” in the NIV. It is the Hebrew word qavah which means:
To wait for, look for, expect, hope … Qavah is the root of the noun tiqvah, “hope” or “expectancy.” Qavah expresses the idea of “waiting hopefully.”
(Reference: “The New Spirit Filled Bible”)
Waiting, like submission (the subject of my last few posts) seems to be a neglected concept in our society. As I look around, so much change is needed -- in the world, in my life, in the lives of others, and in ministries that I am involved in. I see the need for injustices to be addressed, character to be developed, healings, breakthroughs in difficult circumstances … the list is endless. It’s easy for me to get discouraged about these things. I try to do what I feel called to do, use wisdom, and then wait on the Lord, but it’s hard to wait when necessary change doesn’t seem to be happening, or happening fast enough. I think the key to waiting without falling into discouragement and dissatisfaction is the attitude with which I wait: waiting hopefully.
“Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.” (Psalm 27:14)
The word translated “wait” here in the NASB is translated “hope” in the NIV. It is the Hebrew word qavah which means:
To wait for, look for, expect, hope … Qavah is the root of the noun tiqvah, “hope” or “expectancy.” Qavah expresses the idea of “waiting hopefully.”
(Reference: “The New Spirit Filled Bible”)
Waiting, like submission (the subject of my last few posts) seems to be a neglected concept in our society. As I look around, so much change is needed -- in the world, in my life, in the lives of others, and in ministries that I am involved in. I see the need for injustices to be addressed, character to be developed, healings, breakthroughs in difficult circumstances … the list is endless. It’s easy for me to get discouraged about these things. I try to do what I feel called to do, use wisdom, and then wait on the Lord, but it’s hard to wait when necessary change doesn’t seem to be happening, or happening fast enough. I think the key to waiting without falling into discouragement and dissatisfaction is the attitude with which I wait: waiting hopefully.
“Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.” (Psalm 27:14)
Saturday, September 15, 2007
Submission Part 4
Jesus gave them this answer: "I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does.” (John 5:19)
"For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of him who sent me.” (John 6:38)
To me, these are among the most amazing statements that Jesus ever made. His perfect submission to his Father is mind boggling, because I am so aware of how my will drives me, and how difficult it is for me to put it aside. Seeking to be conformed to the image of Christ is this area alone is enough to occupy the rest of my life.
"For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of him who sent me.” (John 6:38)
To me, these are among the most amazing statements that Jesus ever made. His perfect submission to his Father is mind boggling, because I am so aware of how my will drives me, and how difficult it is for me to put it aside. Seeking to be conformed to the image of Christ is this area alone is enough to occupy the rest of my life.
Wednesday, September 5, 2007
Submission Part 3
“Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but like slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men.” (Ephesians 6:5-7)
Last summer following my layoff from 24 years of software engineering, I took a temporary job working for my chiropractor when I determined that I wanted to take the plunge of changing careers to something more fulfilling. The doctor needed a new receptionist and it was a way to add structure and social contact to my life, make a little money, and try something more people oriented while putting together a transition plan. It was difficult because he had a much more authoritative style and a different approach to his employees than I was used to. In my software engineering job I had a lot of autonomy; my bosses trusted me and I took the initiative and only went to them when there was a problem I could not handle. In contrast, every aspect of the receptionist job was prescribed, including scripts for what I was supposed to say in various situations, and Dr. Dan was not used to trusting his employees (a concept that was completely foreign to me). At first I struggled mightily under what felt to me like a heavy and oppressive yoke that I had taken on; I was angry and resentful. However, I realized that I did ask him for the job, so I did my best to adjust to it by reading all the passages in the Bible about master/servant and master/slave relationships so that I could be a better employee. I came to see my submission to my boss and the job requirements as an opportunity to become more like Christ’s example in Philippians 2:5-8. A funny thing happened. As I stopped resisting Dr. Dan and became more willing to do whatever he asked, he started giving me more freedom, and by the end of several months we were working well together as a team. What had been a very frustrating experience for both of us at the beginning turned into a satisfying and productive working relationship.
Last summer following my layoff from 24 years of software engineering, I took a temporary job working for my chiropractor when I determined that I wanted to take the plunge of changing careers to something more fulfilling. The doctor needed a new receptionist and it was a way to add structure and social contact to my life, make a little money, and try something more people oriented while putting together a transition plan. It was difficult because he had a much more authoritative style and a different approach to his employees than I was used to. In my software engineering job I had a lot of autonomy; my bosses trusted me and I took the initiative and only went to them when there was a problem I could not handle. In contrast, every aspect of the receptionist job was prescribed, including scripts for what I was supposed to say in various situations, and Dr. Dan was not used to trusting his employees (a concept that was completely foreign to me). At first I struggled mightily under what felt to me like a heavy and oppressive yoke that I had taken on; I was angry and resentful. However, I realized that I did ask him for the job, so I did my best to adjust to it by reading all the passages in the Bible about master/servant and master/slave relationships so that I could be a better employee. I came to see my submission to my boss and the job requirements as an opportunity to become more like Christ’s example in Philippians 2:5-8. A funny thing happened. As I stopped resisting Dr. Dan and became more willing to do whatever he asked, he started giving me more freedom, and by the end of several months we were working well together as a team. What had been a very frustrating experience for both of us at the beginning turned into a satisfying and productive working relationship.
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