The talk radio host Michael Medved has what he calls “Conspiracy Day,” when listeners call up and present what they believe to be modern day conspiracies. It is sad how many still believe 9/11 was a conspiracy by the US government, and humorous that some still believe man has never been to the moon. Of the latest are conspiracies about Obama—that he was born in another country, that he is really a closet Muslim and terrorist.
Most of us do not go to such extremes, but we often get caught up in imagining—and seeking out the worst in Obama, and the worst in our government in general. Isaiah 8 speaks a great deal of relief when we are commanded, “Do not call conspiracy everything that these people call conspiracy; do not fear what they fear, and do not dread it. The Lord Almighty is the one you are to regard as holy, he is the one you are to fear, he is the one you are to dread, and he will be a sanctuary…”
In the face of the Lord Almighty (think Isaiah 6), the relative power of our leaders melts away. God Almighty is the one we are to revere—even to dread, that in so doing we may turn to Christ and receive sanctuary.
God, no matter how many policies I disagree with, no matter how much money I believe is wasted, help me to keep a healthy perspective. May there be absolute respect for our government and leaders, just as we are called. Yet, may there be absolutely no fear, remembering that you hold the hearts of kings in your hand and direct them as a watercourse wherever it goes.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
When my mother-in-law died several years ago, we went through boxes and boxes and piles of possessions in an over-stuffed garage. Some items were precious keep-sakes. Much we burned. We took loads to Good Will. One hidden treasure that I discovered was a book by Thomas Kempis called Imitation of God.
Speaking from God’s perspective, Kempis writes, “I am he who in one instant do lift up the humble mind to comprehend more reasonings of eternal Truth, than if one had studied ten years in the schools.” That is worth reading again. And again. To me, it is worth the price of the book.
Are you insecure at work as you compare yourself with your co-workers? Pursue the gracious wisdom of God and you will learn the secret of contentment in ways you never dreamed possible. Does your husband win every argument because…he just does? Pursue the gracious wisdom of God, and maybe your definition of ‘winning an argument’ will change in your favor.
Are you embarrassed that school didn’t work out and you are pursuing your GED? Pursue the gracious wisdom of God and you will realize that he has already given you everything you need for life and godliness. Do you get tongue-tied trying to express yourself? Pursue the gracious wisdom of God, and you will comprehend more eternal truth than a star PhD student. Do you put your pastor on a pedestal? Pursue the gracious wisdom of God and you will see how Jesus equalizes us all—humbling us due to the common condition of sin, and lifting us up together through faith in Christ.
Wisdom is an enigma. The world offers wisdom that really has no source and no end. The gracious wisdom of God cries out for us, and yet we are to search for it. These and other like situations are usually not solved in an instant. It doesn’t come easily, we have to wait for it (Prov 8:34). I don’t even know if we will recognize it in ourselves, though others will see it in us.
God, forgive my simple, foolish, scoffing ways, and fill me with godly, true wisdom from above. Would you please lift me up to comprehend more eternal truth than if I had studied ten years in the schools. And instead of puffing me up, would it have the effect of humbling me and causing me to joyfully point to you as the source of all wisdom and life.
Speaking from God’s perspective, Kempis writes, “I am he who in one instant do lift up the humble mind to comprehend more reasonings of eternal Truth, than if one had studied ten years in the schools.” That is worth reading again. And again. To me, it is worth the price of the book.
Are you insecure at work as you compare yourself with your co-workers? Pursue the gracious wisdom of God and you will learn the secret of contentment in ways you never dreamed possible. Does your husband win every argument because…he just does? Pursue the gracious wisdom of God, and maybe your definition of ‘winning an argument’ will change in your favor.
Are you embarrassed that school didn’t work out and you are pursuing your GED? Pursue the gracious wisdom of God and you will realize that he has already given you everything you need for life and godliness. Do you get tongue-tied trying to express yourself? Pursue the gracious wisdom of God, and you will comprehend more eternal truth than a star PhD student. Do you put your pastor on a pedestal? Pursue the gracious wisdom of God and you will see how Jesus equalizes us all—humbling us due to the common condition of sin, and lifting us up together through faith in Christ.
Wisdom is an enigma. The world offers wisdom that really has no source and no end. The gracious wisdom of God cries out for us, and yet we are to search for it. These and other like situations are usually not solved in an instant. It doesn’t come easily, we have to wait for it (Prov 8:34). I don’t even know if we will recognize it in ourselves, though others will see it in us.
God, forgive my simple, foolish, scoffing ways, and fill me with godly, true wisdom from above. Would you please lift me up to comprehend more eternal truth than if I had studied ten years in the schools. And instead of puffing me up, would it have the effect of humbling me and causing me to joyfully point to you as the source of all wisdom and life.
Monday, August 10, 2009
Transforming Grace
An area church has as its first core value the Transforming Power of the Gospel. Here is part of the definition that really struck me this week: “That means our sinfulness does not count against us and it also means our religious efforts do not count for us.”
First, the Transforming Power of the Gospel means that in Christ, our sinfulness does not count against us. I believe too often we live like practicing Roman Catholics. Yes, we believe our past sins are covered, but when we sin today—“Oh oh, I need to do some penance to get this off my back.” Instead of fasting and whipping our backs it may be going to church and reading the Bible. But it is the same unbelief in the sufficiency of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ that leads us to believe we need to somehow take care of our own sin.
Second, the Transforming Power of the Gospel means that our religious efforts do not count for us. This sentence makes us step back and scratch our heads. “Yes I believe this, but…my work doesn’t count for anything?” We confuse the effect of God’s love toward us with the cause of God’s love for us when we take pride in, and rest in, our good works.
And that leads us to this wonderfully biblical word, transforming. I love Romans 12:1, which calls us in part to “Be ye transformed.” It is both a clear command, and a passive action, indicating that we are objects being acted upon. (The Bible itself has no problem with the mystery of sovereignty and accountability—neither should I.)
To see the Gospel merely as a ticket to heaven is to severely truncate its beauty and power. To see it as a legal transaction and right standing with God is accurate, but also not sufficient. To also see it as the power of God to transform the lives of its recipients is a beautiful and important aspect in rounding out our view of salvation. It may be slow, it may smolder at times, it may need fanned into flame. But I am confident that God will carry his work to completion in making me a new powerfully preparing me for the next world to come.
First, the Transforming Power of the Gospel means that in Christ, our sinfulness does not count against us. I believe too often we live like practicing Roman Catholics. Yes, we believe our past sins are covered, but when we sin today—“Oh oh, I need to do some penance to get this off my back.” Instead of fasting and whipping our backs it may be going to church and reading the Bible. But it is the same unbelief in the sufficiency of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ that leads us to believe we need to somehow take care of our own sin.
Second, the Transforming Power of the Gospel means that our religious efforts do not count for us. This sentence makes us step back and scratch our heads. “Yes I believe this, but…my work doesn’t count for anything?” We confuse the effect of God’s love toward us with the cause of God’s love for us when we take pride in, and rest in, our good works.
And that leads us to this wonderfully biblical word, transforming. I love Romans 12:1, which calls us in part to “Be ye transformed.” It is both a clear command, and a passive action, indicating that we are objects being acted upon. (The Bible itself has no problem with the mystery of sovereignty and accountability—neither should I.)
To see the Gospel merely as a ticket to heaven is to severely truncate its beauty and power. To see it as a legal transaction and right standing with God is accurate, but also not sufficient. To also see it as the power of God to transform the lives of its recipients is a beautiful and important aspect in rounding out our view of salvation. It may be slow, it may smolder at times, it may need fanned into flame. But I am confident that God will carry his work to completion in making me a new powerfully preparing me for the next world to come.
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