"Are you troubled by these days of uncertainty? Is there confusion playing its morbid tune within your heart? Do anxieties, stresses, pain or sorrow vex and tease you as a school-yard bully upon your soul? The troubled markets have stolen many a persons perceived safety net and they fear their fall to the ground might undo them but wait, O Christian, whose hope is in Christ, I have good news! You are commanded to " Wait for the LORD; Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the LORD." [Ps 27:14] Do not dishonor Him who has given you EVERYTHING in His beloved Son! Cast your burden upon the Lord - will he not still sustain you, care for you, provide for you, even now? Has he commanded you, bidden you, implored you with tender feelings for you saying "Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light…" [Matt 11:28-30]? Refocus and let lose of your worldly idols and worship the One true and living God! Then all that troubles your soul will seem as vapor vanishing as the sun dispels the fog."
Reflection hymn:
O soul, are you weary and troubled? No light in the darkness you see?
There’s a light for a look at the Savior, And life more abundant and free!
Turn your eyes upon Jesus, Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, In the light of His glory and grace.
Through death into life everlasting He passed, and we follow Him there;
Over us sin no more hath dominion— For more than conquerors we are!
His Word shall not fail you—He promised; Believe Him, and all will be well:
Then go to a world that is dying, His perfect salvation to tell!
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Waskom's National Night Out: Christianity is Crimes Cure
The second crime recorded in the Bible was Cain’s murder of his brother Abel. Cain was green with envy over the Lord receiving Abel’s offering but having no regard for his (see Genesis chapter 4). What was the trouble? Was God showing favoritism? Had Abel somehow offended Cain in their worship of God? No, neither of these is tracking. Abel gave from the “firstlings” or from the best of what he had while Cain brought only “an offering” which in the Hebrew way of thinking meant he simply “grabbed” something in haste without any forethought or regard for God’s worship. To worship God haphazardly puts one in peril. So Cain, burning with envy in his heart, slaughtered his brother. In other words, the heart of the problem was the problem of his heart.
Later, when God sent Moses to redeem his chosen people from slavery in Egypt we learn Pharaoh had a heart condition not allowing him to comply with God’s demand reading in Exodus 7:13 that “Pharaoh's heart was hardened, and he did not listen to them (Moses and his brother Aaron), as the LORD had said.” Again, the heart of the problem was the problem of his heart. The problem was endemic in Israel with nearly all her rulers as was the case with King Zedekiah. God adds to our hard heart another issue putting it this way in 2 Chronicles 36:14 saying that king “stiffened his neck and hardened his heart against turning to the LORD God of Israel.” It seems this stiff neck issue affects human hard-heartedness.
God reveals in Genesis 8:21 that “the intent of man's heart is evil from his youth…” Israel’s greatest king, David understood the root of the problem stating it this way in Ps 51:5 “Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin my mother conceived me.” We live in a broken world. Since rebellion and crime (i.e., sin) entered the world the problem of bad, inappropriate or evil intentions and actions has been the bane of human kind. All crime has its nexus, its center, in the problem of sin. King David, under divine inspiration, reveals what God expects from us in Psalm 51:6 saying “behold, You (God) desire truth in the innermost being…” The antithesis or opposite of truth is literally sin.
Jesus defines it this way in John 8:44 saying to the religious elite in his day “You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” So sin, i.e., crime, is a “Satin thing” or the “devil’s deal.” And it matters not if you are a non-Christian, an anti-Christian or a pretend Christian (like the religious elite in Jesus day) the root of the problem is a corrupted and defective heart. We all need radical heart surgery and Christianity is the only solution.
When a hard-hearted, stiff-necked criminal (any sinner at any level of sin – and we are all sinners in God’s judgment) turns by faith alone to sin’s solution – Jesus Christ and his works alone (his own suffering, death, burial, resurrection and ascension) – God does an amazing heart surgery. Here is how it works: Ezekiel reports in 36:26-27 that God “…will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. [27] “I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances.” God solves crimes problem through faith alone in Jesus Christ alone.
But the marvelous anesthesia he uses along with and inseparable from faith is repentance. Repentance is a divine gift whereby the repenting criminal turns away from a life of crime (a life filled with and motivated to sinfulness) and bows to the lordship and kingship of Jesus Christ, endeavoring to live a holy life for God’s glory and his neighbors greater good.
Many try to fake it but in the end, they will return to crime until and unless the Almighty God grants them faith and repentance by divine heart surgery. It comes only through Christianity and only by redeeming faith. Until Christ comes again and brings his heavenly kingdom to earth, the only viable solution to crime is prison or God’s heart surgery. May it be the latter and not the former for you.
(Want to know more? Visit your local Christ-centered, cross bearing, Bible teaching church. If you cannot find one, call Ed Bowman, pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Waskom at 903-687-3408 – he’ll be happy to assist you.)
Later, when God sent Moses to redeem his chosen people from slavery in Egypt we learn Pharaoh had a heart condition not allowing him to comply with God’s demand reading in Exodus 7:13 that “Pharaoh's heart was hardened, and he did not listen to them (Moses and his brother Aaron), as the LORD had said.” Again, the heart of the problem was the problem of his heart. The problem was endemic in Israel with nearly all her rulers as was the case with King Zedekiah. God adds to our hard heart another issue putting it this way in 2 Chronicles 36:14 saying that king “stiffened his neck and hardened his heart against turning to the LORD God of Israel.” It seems this stiff neck issue affects human hard-heartedness.
God reveals in Genesis 8:21 that “the intent of man's heart is evil from his youth…” Israel’s greatest king, David understood the root of the problem stating it this way in Ps 51:5 “Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin my mother conceived me.” We live in a broken world. Since rebellion and crime (i.e., sin) entered the world the problem of bad, inappropriate or evil intentions and actions has been the bane of human kind. All crime has its nexus, its center, in the problem of sin. King David, under divine inspiration, reveals what God expects from us in Psalm 51:6 saying “behold, You (God) desire truth in the innermost being…” The antithesis or opposite of truth is literally sin.
Jesus defines it this way in John 8:44 saying to the religious elite in his day “You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” So sin, i.e., crime, is a “Satin thing” or the “devil’s deal.” And it matters not if you are a non-Christian, an anti-Christian or a pretend Christian (like the religious elite in Jesus day) the root of the problem is a corrupted and defective heart. We all need radical heart surgery and Christianity is the only solution.
When a hard-hearted, stiff-necked criminal (any sinner at any level of sin – and we are all sinners in God’s judgment) turns by faith alone to sin’s solution – Jesus Christ and his works alone (his own suffering, death, burial, resurrection and ascension) – God does an amazing heart surgery. Here is how it works: Ezekiel reports in 36:26-27 that God “…will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. [27] “I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances.” God solves crimes problem through faith alone in Jesus Christ alone.
But the marvelous anesthesia he uses along with and inseparable from faith is repentance. Repentance is a divine gift whereby the repenting criminal turns away from a life of crime (a life filled with and motivated to sinfulness) and bows to the lordship and kingship of Jesus Christ, endeavoring to live a holy life for God’s glory and his neighbors greater good.
Many try to fake it but in the end, they will return to crime until and unless the Almighty God grants them faith and repentance by divine heart surgery. It comes only through Christianity and only by redeeming faith. Until Christ comes again and brings his heavenly kingdom to earth, the only viable solution to crime is prison or God’s heart surgery. May it be the latter and not the former for you.
(Want to know more? Visit your local Christ-centered, cross bearing, Bible teaching church. If you cannot find one, call Ed Bowman, pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Waskom at 903-687-3408 – he’ll be happy to assist you.)
Monday, August 4, 2008
Why Go to Church?
Mankind or humankind is known as “homo sapien” or “a knowing human” implying that human beings have the capacity to a certain level knowledge above what is common in the animal world. But before we are “homo sapien” we are “homo religiosus” meaning we alone (on earth) are first created to worship and serve God, the Creator (see Romans 1:18-25).
Our Standards (Westminster CoF) remind us in chapter 22 that “The light of nature showeth that there is a God, who hath lordship and sovereignty over all; is good, and doeth good unto all; and is therefore to be feared, loved, praised, called upon, trusted in, and served with all the heart, and with all the soul, and with all the might.” The Lordship & sovereignty of God requires the Christian to worship God—period! It is not optional—never has been; never will be. God is a jealous God, especially in this sense. If you are a Christian, not to worship God is sinful.
The worship of God is THE first thing of “First Things” and, sadly, many so-called Christians are not committed to the public worship of God on Sunday. The old excuse “I can worship God anywhere—it doesn’t have to be in a church building” may be carried only so far—so far as there is NO church building nearby where God is rightly worshipped. Heb 10:2-25 admonished Christians saying “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; [24] and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, [25] not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.” Peter likewise instructs us saying in 1 Peter 2:9 “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” We are to be set apart from the world while living in the world all the while displaying to the world our connectivity; our commitments to one another. None of this precludes our worshipping God in all of life and on other days but draws special attention to the one in seven.
Not to attend church or to attend irregularly on the Christan Sabbath is sending the world the wrong message. It tells them that Christians are not as committed to their God as they pretend, at the very least. At worst, we dangerously reveal a level of hypocrisy verging on apostasy (unbelief). The biblical principle to avoid any confusion lies in 1 Peter 2:11-12 where Peter teaches “Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. [12] Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.”
It is true that our Standards likewise teach (biblically so) a rational and logical freedom saying “God alone is Lord of the conscience, and hath left it free from the doctrines and commandments of men which are in any thing contrary to his Word, or beside it in matters of faith or worship. So that to believe such doctrines, or to obey such commandments out of conscience, is to betray true liberty of conscience; and the requiring an implicit faith, and an absolute and blind obedience, is to destroy liberty of conscience, and reason also.” Yet Christians are the ones who have experienced God’s redeeming mercy in an absolutely unique way—being united by faith to Jesus Christ, adopted as bastard children (illegitimate, remember the Old Testament taught salvation is from the Jews) into God’s forever family (i.e., the church militant—on the earth; triumphant in glory), having our cosmic, death deserving, crimes forgiven and granted everlasting life in God’s very presence. To be the “people of God” a “royal priesthood” means we are “duty-bound” to worship and serve God as he demands us to.
When we fail to attend the local congregating of God’s people in the church militant, we fail at levels few of us ever imagine. How, then, can we come to deeply appreciate not only what others have died for in redemptive history but what awaits us in glory—the church triumphant? This, too, ought to be a means of grace and a means of preservation in this fallen world. Christ died for his church—he died for believers. If you are not availing yourself of the church (though on the earth she’s troubled), as often as you can (unless providentially hindered), then something is terribly wrong—either with the church or with you. But since we make up the church, then it must lie with us!
Our Standards (Westminster CoF) remind us in chapter 22 that “The light of nature showeth that there is a God, who hath lordship and sovereignty over all; is good, and doeth good unto all; and is therefore to be feared, loved, praised, called upon, trusted in, and served with all the heart, and with all the soul, and with all the might.” The Lordship & sovereignty of God requires the Christian to worship God—period! It is not optional—never has been; never will be. God is a jealous God, especially in this sense. If you are a Christian, not to worship God is sinful.
The worship of God is THE first thing of “First Things” and, sadly, many so-called Christians are not committed to the public worship of God on Sunday. The old excuse “I can worship God anywhere—it doesn’t have to be in a church building” may be carried only so far—so far as there is NO church building nearby where God is rightly worshipped. Heb 10:2-25 admonished Christians saying “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; [24] and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, [25] not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.” Peter likewise instructs us saying in 1 Peter 2:9 “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” We are to be set apart from the world while living in the world all the while displaying to the world our connectivity; our commitments to one another. None of this precludes our worshipping God in all of life and on other days but draws special attention to the one in seven.
Not to attend church or to attend irregularly on the Christan Sabbath is sending the world the wrong message. It tells them that Christians are not as committed to their God as they pretend, at the very least. At worst, we dangerously reveal a level of hypocrisy verging on apostasy (unbelief). The biblical principle to avoid any confusion lies in 1 Peter 2:11-12 where Peter teaches “Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. [12] Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.”
It is true that our Standards likewise teach (biblically so) a rational and logical freedom saying “God alone is Lord of the conscience, and hath left it free from the doctrines and commandments of men which are in any thing contrary to his Word, or beside it in matters of faith or worship. So that to believe such doctrines, or to obey such commandments out of conscience, is to betray true liberty of conscience; and the requiring an implicit faith, and an absolute and blind obedience, is to destroy liberty of conscience, and reason also.” Yet Christians are the ones who have experienced God’s redeeming mercy in an absolutely unique way—being united by faith to Jesus Christ, adopted as bastard children (illegitimate, remember the Old Testament taught salvation is from the Jews) into God’s forever family (i.e., the church militant—on the earth; triumphant in glory), having our cosmic, death deserving, crimes forgiven and granted everlasting life in God’s very presence. To be the “people of God” a “royal priesthood” means we are “duty-bound” to worship and serve God as he demands us to.
When we fail to attend the local congregating of God’s people in the church militant, we fail at levels few of us ever imagine. How, then, can we come to deeply appreciate not only what others have died for in redemptive history but what awaits us in glory—the church triumphant? This, too, ought to be a means of grace and a means of preservation in this fallen world. Christ died for his church—he died for believers. If you are not availing yourself of the church (though on the earth she’s troubled), as often as you can (unless providentially hindered), then something is terribly wrong—either with the church or with you. But since we make up the church, then it must lie with us!
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Potpourri
Potpourri is described as a mixture of dried, naturally fragrant plant material. It gives of a gentle natural scent. It is often displayed in a decorative bowl or tied in small bags made from sheer fabric. In other words, it is dead, disconnected plant parts with pleasing smells meant to be on display as something decorative, attractive and pleasing. And so it is.
In some ways this description reminds me of “pretend” Christians or as some say “wanna be” Christians. I run into these pretenders frequently. You know them by their “fruits” but their fruit looks more like potpourri than the real thing.
First, they are often disconnected. This means that they get along without the grace of the church. Either they don’t attend or irregularly attend (Christmas and Easter mainly) and rarely do they spend time with other real believer’s, especially in Christian discipline. They are like the dead disconnected plant parts – they have no evidence of being “born again”; devoid of vibrant, growing plants or fruit.
Second, though they tell me they are a Christian, their particular lifestyle reeks of non-Christian odor. It is more that of a natural, worldly smell than the heavenly scent of a sanctified life. I do not notice the scent of the Rose of Sharon when I spend a few moments with them. It seems counterfeit or man-made rather than refreshing and regenerated supernaturally, reflecting the presence of Jesus.
Thirdly, the whole package seems superficial rather than reflective of the nature and character of Jesus Christ. They remind me of the emperor with no clothes in the fairy tale called “Emperor with No Clothes” by Hans Christian Andersen. They care too much about the temporal, the worldly and buy from those that “tickle the ears” false Christianity. They succumb to “false Christ’s and false prophets.”
In summary, they look the part, smell the part and pretend the part but in the end that’s all they are – counterfeit, disconnected, smelly pretenders without regenerated life, fruit and real hope. They’re Christian potpourri.
Unless you are engrafted into the vine of Jesus Christ by faith alone, you are none of His. Check your fruit. If it is not as a fruit should be (continuing to ripen, producing more fruit, nourishing to the body), then perhaps you’ve been duped.
In some ways this description reminds me of “pretend” Christians or as some say “wanna be” Christians. I run into these pretenders frequently. You know them by their “fruits” but their fruit looks more like potpourri than the real thing.
First, they are often disconnected. This means that they get along without the grace of the church. Either they don’t attend or irregularly attend (Christmas and Easter mainly) and rarely do they spend time with other real believer’s, especially in Christian discipline. They are like the dead disconnected plant parts – they have no evidence of being “born again”; devoid of vibrant, growing plants or fruit.
Second, though they tell me they are a Christian, their particular lifestyle reeks of non-Christian odor. It is more that of a natural, worldly smell than the heavenly scent of a sanctified life. I do not notice the scent of the Rose of Sharon when I spend a few moments with them. It seems counterfeit or man-made rather than refreshing and regenerated supernaturally, reflecting the presence of Jesus.
Thirdly, the whole package seems superficial rather than reflective of the nature and character of Jesus Christ. They remind me of the emperor with no clothes in the fairy tale called “Emperor with No Clothes” by Hans Christian Andersen. They care too much about the temporal, the worldly and buy from those that “tickle the ears” false Christianity. They succumb to “false Christ’s and false prophets.”
In summary, they look the part, smell the part and pretend the part but in the end that’s all they are – counterfeit, disconnected, smelly pretenders without regenerated life, fruit and real hope. They’re Christian potpourri.
Unless you are engrafted into the vine of Jesus Christ by faith alone, you are none of His. Check your fruit. If it is not as a fruit should be (continuing to ripen, producing more fruit, nourishing to the body), then perhaps you’ve been duped.
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Dayspring of Heaven
"The cross of Christ is Christ's glory." Most people try to gain attention, respect, "kudos" by using or exploiting, even sacrificing others to their personal gain. Jesus sacrificed, exploited and used up himself for others. People seek badges, certificates of accomplishment, trophies, and golden crowns for their sake. Jesus sought only a crown of thorns, scorn, spikes and spear for peoples sakes. People think that prestige, power, prominence are found when they exalt themselves over all others. Jesus knew he was considered "a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people." [Ps 22:6] Jesus yielded his power, glory, prestige, position willingly by stooping, coming down, not regarding his glorious heavenly estate to be grasped in light of his love for stiff-necked, rebellious sinful people. When conquered - he stooped - yet in his stooping (though legions of angels stood ready to conquer at his command) that is what he counted as supreme glory!
Our great God has caused the Dayspring of heaven; from glory to stoop to visit us that we might through Him not visit heaven but reside their by faith in Jesus.
"Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us, to give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace." -- Luke 1:78-79
Our great God has caused the Dayspring of heaven; from glory to stoop to visit us that we might through Him not visit heaven but reside their by faith in Jesus.
"Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us, to give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace." -- Luke 1:78-79
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