The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing,
majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of
him and what came to my mind and heart in Luke 24:5-7,
"Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has
risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in
Galilee: 'The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful
men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.'"
These are the words spoken by the "two men", angels, to the women who
had gone to tend to the body of Jesus following the Sabbath. Jesus had
been crucified on the day before the Sabbath and his unprepared body
had been placed in a tomb. Now returning to the tomb, they found it
empty.
This is the account of Jesus' resurrection. This, together with the
testimony of many to whom he appeared following his resurrection form
the basis for a core belief of all who follow Jesus: he arose from the
dead! Paul tells us, "Christ died for our sins according to the
Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day
according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Peter, and then
to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of
the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though
some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the
apostles, and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally
born." 1 Corinthians 15:3-8.
Death entered the human family as a judgment of God when Adam and Eve
sinned in the garden of Eden. Since all people die (and remain that
way from the perspective of life here "under the sun"), Jesus'
resurrection reveals something to me that is very important. Because
he rose from the dead, I have complete assurance that Jesus' sacrifice
of himself satisfied God's justice. By placing my trust and faith in
him I can now have God's forgiveness.
Jesus foretold of this. "From that time on Jesus began to explain to
his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at
the hands of the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and
that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life."
Matthew 16:21 "Now as Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the
twelve disciples aside and said to them, 'We are going up to
Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests
and the teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death and will
turn him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified.
On the third day he will be raised to life!'" Matthew 20:17-19. At the
last supper Jesus offered a cup to his disciples and told them, "Drink
from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured
out for many for the forgiveness of sins.
The resurrection of Jesus was something verified and witnessed to by
many. It confirms to me what is unseen, God's justice satisfied, by an
event that is well-attested to. It forms a core belief that must be
embraced if one is to follow the Lord and enter into his family. "If
you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your
heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is
with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with
your mouth that you confess and are saved." It is all about placing
our faith in who Jesus Christ is and what he has done.
How wonderful is this crowning event of the resurrection of Jesus
Christ! What a wonderful way for him to announce to a world blind in
its darkness what he said on the cross, "It is finished." John 19:30.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share
your thoughts of worship from your Bible reading today. I'd love to
hear from you!
Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com
Thursday, June 14, 2012
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Who made Judas do it? - Ruminating in the Word of God
The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing,
majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of
him and what came to my mind and heart in Luke 22:3,
"Then Satan entered Judas, called Iscariot, one of the Twelve."
As Jesus' earthly ministry draws to a close, we find one of his
followers engaged in an act of betrayal. Judas Iscariot seeks out the
Lord's enemies, the chief priests and officers of the temple guard. He
agrees to hand Jesus over to them for thirty silver coins.
Why would he do such a thing? We are told, "Satan entered Judas,
called Iscariot, one of the Twelve." Judas betrayed Jesus after Satan
entered him. As we read the full account, however, we find that these
bumbling steps of the wicked are exploited by the Lord to accomplish
his purposes: to offer himself in the courtroom of God as a substitute
on our behalf, to pay the penalty for our sins. This he did by dying a
miserable death on a cross. A step in that process was to have himself
placed in a position where this could be carried out. Judas' part was
to betray Jesus to those who would put him to death after the mockery
of a trial.
Why Judas? Why did Satan enter into him? Some suggest, in an effort to
shore up an incoherent theology, that God decided he wanted to take
one of the followers of Jesus, have him possessed by Satan to make him
betray Jesus and then condemn him in a way it would have been better
he had never been born, Matthew 26:24, "Woe to that man who betrays
the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born."
Clearly, this betrays a faulty understanding of the just nature of
God.
God has a keen sense of fairness and is entirely just. Paul observes
this when he says, "God 'will give to each person according to what he
has done.' To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor
and immortality, he will give eternal life. But for those who are
self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be
wrath and anger. There will be trouble and distress for every human
being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile; but
glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew,
then for the Gentile. For God does not show favoritism." Romans
2:6-11.
Although not recorded for us, Judas placed himself squarely in the
cross-hairs of God's judgment. Whatever self-seeking, rejecting the
truth, and following evil he pursued, it landed Judas in the horrific
position of becoming possessed by Satan, resulting in his betrayal of
the Son of God.
Some will point to Romans 9 where Paul discusses God's use of Esau and
Pharaoh for his own purposes. Misunderstanding that God chose these
two for evil and prompted them to evil to carry out what he desired,
they mistake God for being the author of evil, and one who would
manipulate some people such that they will suffer an eternity in a
fiery lake of burning sulfur for no cause of their own. What seems to
be forgotten is what James tells us, "When tempted, no one should say,
'God is tempting me.' For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he
tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he
is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it
gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to
death."
I have heard all the nuanced hair-splitting arguments that God didn't
make certain men sin, but he removed his "hand of restraint" so they
would yield to their own sinful impulses. Somehow the whole argument
is lost on me when I find that the Scriptures point to people making
their own decisions while these "theologians" have God making all the
decisions.
God doesn't cause anyone to sin. We are altogether more than capable
of doing that on our own. It is when we yield to our sinful impulses
that we place ourselves under the power of sin and the devil.
Nevertheless, while we are in the midst of our sin and while Satan is
in the midst of his schemes, God is entirely capable and does exploit
it all for his own godly and righteous purposes.
An example of this is Haman in the book of Esther. His story is a
classic case of this process. His own foray into self-seeking,
rejecting the truth, and following evil leads to his own destruction
and a very fascinating chapter in Israel's history. Ten short chapters
and a very compelling read. Check it out!
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share
your thoughts of worship from your Bible reading today. I'd love to
hear from you!
Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com
majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of
him and what came to my mind and heart in Luke 22:3,
"Then Satan entered Judas, called Iscariot, one of the Twelve."
As Jesus' earthly ministry draws to a close, we find one of his
followers engaged in an act of betrayal. Judas Iscariot seeks out the
Lord's enemies, the chief priests and officers of the temple guard. He
agrees to hand Jesus over to them for thirty silver coins.
Why would he do such a thing? We are told, "Satan entered Judas,
called Iscariot, one of the Twelve." Judas betrayed Jesus after Satan
entered him. As we read the full account, however, we find that these
bumbling steps of the wicked are exploited by the Lord to accomplish
his purposes: to offer himself in the courtroom of God as a substitute
on our behalf, to pay the penalty for our sins. This he did by dying a
miserable death on a cross. A step in that process was to have himself
placed in a position where this could be carried out. Judas' part was
to betray Jesus to those who would put him to death after the mockery
of a trial.
Why Judas? Why did Satan enter into him? Some suggest, in an effort to
shore up an incoherent theology, that God decided he wanted to take
one of the followers of Jesus, have him possessed by Satan to make him
betray Jesus and then condemn him in a way it would have been better
he had never been born, Matthew 26:24, "Woe to that man who betrays
the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born."
Clearly, this betrays a faulty understanding of the just nature of
God.
God has a keen sense of fairness and is entirely just. Paul observes
this when he says, "God 'will give to each person according to what he
has done.' To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor
and immortality, he will give eternal life. But for those who are
self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be
wrath and anger. There will be trouble and distress for every human
being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile; but
glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew,
then for the Gentile. For God does not show favoritism." Romans
2:6-11.
Although not recorded for us, Judas placed himself squarely in the
cross-hairs of God's judgment. Whatever self-seeking, rejecting the
truth, and following evil he pursued, it landed Judas in the horrific
position of becoming possessed by Satan, resulting in his betrayal of
the Son of God.
Some will point to Romans 9 where Paul discusses God's use of Esau and
Pharaoh for his own purposes. Misunderstanding that God chose these
two for evil and prompted them to evil to carry out what he desired,
they mistake God for being the author of evil, and one who would
manipulate some people such that they will suffer an eternity in a
fiery lake of burning sulfur for no cause of their own. What seems to
be forgotten is what James tells us, "When tempted, no one should say,
'God is tempting me.' For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he
tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he
is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it
gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to
death."
I have heard all the nuanced hair-splitting arguments that God didn't
make certain men sin, but he removed his "hand of restraint" so they
would yield to their own sinful impulses. Somehow the whole argument
is lost on me when I find that the Scriptures point to people making
their own decisions while these "theologians" have God making all the
decisions.
God doesn't cause anyone to sin. We are altogether more than capable
of doing that on our own. It is when we yield to our sinful impulses
that we place ourselves under the power of sin and the devil.
Nevertheless, while we are in the midst of our sin and while Satan is
in the midst of his schemes, God is entirely capable and does exploit
it all for his own godly and righteous purposes.
An example of this is Haman in the book of Esther. His story is a
classic case of this process. His own foray into self-seeking,
rejecting the truth, and following evil leads to his own destruction
and a very fascinating chapter in Israel's history. Ten short chapters
and a very compelling read. Check it out!
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share
your thoughts of worship from your Bible reading today. I'd love to
hear from you!
Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Fulfilled prophecy - Ruminating in the Word of God
The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing,
majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of
him and what came to my mind and heart in Luke 24:44,
"This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must
be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the
Prophets and the Psalms."
This is something Jesus told his followers when he appeared to them in
Jerusalem following his crucifixion and resurrection. He told them
that in the Scriptures it was written that he would suffer and rise
from the dead on the third day. He went on to say that the Scriptures
also said that repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in
his name, beginning in Jerusalem.
The "Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms" is a reference to the
Bible, as far as it had been developed at that point in time. It is
the same material we have in our Old Testament, arranged somewhat
differently with some of the books configured differently as well,
e.g. Lamentations was appended to Jeremiah, 1 and 2 Samuel considered
one book (as well as Kings and Chronicles). But, the same material as
we have it and a careful study of it reveals many prophecies
concerning the Christ who was to come: Jesus, the son of Joseph and
Mary, the Son of God.
The prophecies begin with the first book of the Old Testament, in
Moses' writings (Genesis 3:15) and continue throughout. Among the
many, some that are fascinating to me are Jeremiah 23:5-6; Isaiah
9:2-7; Micah 5:2; Isaiah 7i:14; Psalm 2:7; Isaiah 52:13-53:12;
Deuteronomy 18:15; Isaiah 61:1-2; Isaiah 28:16 and so many more!
Studying these prophecies is truly life-changing.
Here is what makes the Bible so unique and different from any other
so-called religious writings. It is authenticated through so many
prophecies that are fulfilled in Jesus Christ. Some are fulfilled and
some yet remain to be fulfilled when Jesus Christ returns. Peter
explains that the Scriptures are inspired by God, and as such are
therefore fulfilled with precision and accuracy. He said, "Above all,
you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the
prophet's own interpretation. For prophecy never had its origin in the
will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the
Holy Spirit." 2 Peter 1:20-21. Also Paul taught, "All Scripture is
God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and
training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly
equipped for every good work." 2 Timothy 3:16-17.
What a treasure we have in our Bibles! All there, provided us by God!
We should all take great interest in what is found within its pages!
As the resurrected Christ told us, "Everything must be fulfilled that
is written about me…"! What is found there is exciting and
fascinating. Look them up and see if you don't find all these
prophetic utterances contained within the Scriptures fulfilled with
startling accuracy!
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share
your thoughts of worship from your Bible reading today. I'd love to
hear from you!
Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com
majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of
him and what came to my mind and heart in Luke 24:44,
"This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must
be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the
Prophets and the Psalms."
This is something Jesus told his followers when he appeared to them in
Jerusalem following his crucifixion and resurrection. He told them
that in the Scriptures it was written that he would suffer and rise
from the dead on the third day. He went on to say that the Scriptures
also said that repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in
his name, beginning in Jerusalem.
The "Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms" is a reference to the
Bible, as far as it had been developed at that point in time. It is
the same material we have in our Old Testament, arranged somewhat
differently with some of the books configured differently as well,
e.g. Lamentations was appended to Jeremiah, 1 and 2 Samuel considered
one book (as well as Kings and Chronicles). But, the same material as
we have it and a careful study of it reveals many prophecies
concerning the Christ who was to come: Jesus, the son of Joseph and
Mary, the Son of God.
The prophecies begin with the first book of the Old Testament, in
Moses' writings (Genesis 3:15) and continue throughout. Among the
many, some that are fascinating to me are Jeremiah 23:5-6; Isaiah
9:2-7; Micah 5:2; Isaiah 7i:14; Psalm 2:7; Isaiah 52:13-53:12;
Deuteronomy 18:15; Isaiah 61:1-2; Isaiah 28:16 and so many more!
Studying these prophecies is truly life-changing.
Here is what makes the Bible so unique and different from any other
so-called religious writings. It is authenticated through so many
prophecies that are fulfilled in Jesus Christ. Some are fulfilled and
some yet remain to be fulfilled when Jesus Christ returns. Peter
explains that the Scriptures are inspired by God, and as such are
therefore fulfilled with precision and accuracy. He said, "Above all,
you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the
prophet's own interpretation. For prophecy never had its origin in the
will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the
Holy Spirit." 2 Peter 1:20-21. Also Paul taught, "All Scripture is
God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and
training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly
equipped for every good work." 2 Timothy 3:16-17.
What a treasure we have in our Bibles! All there, provided us by God!
We should all take great interest in what is found within its pages!
As the resurrected Christ told us, "Everything must be fulfilled that
is written about me…"! What is found there is exciting and
fascinating. Look them up and see if you don't find all these
prophetic utterances contained within the Scriptures fulfilled with
startling accuracy!
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share
your thoughts of worship from your Bible reading today. I'd love to
hear from you!
Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com
Monday, June 11, 2012
The offensive and objectionable blood of Christ - Ruminating in the Word of God
The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing,
majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of
him and what came to my mind and heart in Luke 22:20,
"In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, 'This cup
is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.'"
This statement by Jesus at the "last supper" is a part of what he
inaugurated, that which became the basis for our celebration of
communion or the Eucharist. Paul quotes Jesus here in his famous
passage in 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, "For I received from the Lord what
I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed,
took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, 'This
is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.' In the
same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, 'This cup is the new
covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance
of me.' For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you
proclaim the Lord's death until he comes."
It is the part about his blood, that which provides the basis for this
"new covenant" that captures my thoughts this morning. I have heard
from time to time over the years that any religion that focuses on
blood sacrifice is offensive and objectionable. However, throughout
the Scriptures we are told that without blood, there is no forgiveness
of sins. "For the life of a creature is in the blood, and I have given
it to you to make atonement for yourselves on the altar; it is the
blood that makes atonement for one's life." Leviticus 17:11. We also
read in Hebrews 9:22, "without the shedding of blood there is no
forgiveness."
The reason for this is that God is not only a god of love, mercy and
kindness, he is also a god of justice. Sin must be paid for and this
is the horrific reality we are all born into: because we have all
sinned, we all face God's judgment and that judgment is found in a
fiery lake of burning sulfur, Revelation 21:8. Because Jesus never
sinned, he was uniquely qualified to die in our stead. This is the
point the Scriptures teach us, right from the beginning in the
writings of Moses on through to the end of the New Testament. In
Revelation 5:9-10, we read about a song "the four living creatures and
the twenty-four elders" sang, "You are worthy to take the scroll and
to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you
purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and
nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our
God, and they will reign on the earth."
Jesus "purchased men" from God's judgment by shedding his blood on a
miserable cross for us! He paid the penalty for our sins and so his
blood becomes the basis for the new covenant. This new covenant God
has provided makes a way for us into his family, a place at his table:
eternal life! How wonderful the precious blood of Jesus Christ that he
poured out for you and me!
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share
your thoughts of worship from your Bible reading today. I'd love to
hear from you!
Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com
majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of
him and what came to my mind and heart in Luke 22:20,
"In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, 'This cup
is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.'"
This statement by Jesus at the "last supper" is a part of what he
inaugurated, that which became the basis for our celebration of
communion or the Eucharist. Paul quotes Jesus here in his famous
passage in 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, "For I received from the Lord what
I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed,
took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, 'This
is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.' In the
same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, 'This cup is the new
covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance
of me.' For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you
proclaim the Lord's death until he comes."
It is the part about his blood, that which provides the basis for this
"new covenant" that captures my thoughts this morning. I have heard
from time to time over the years that any religion that focuses on
blood sacrifice is offensive and objectionable. However, throughout
the Scriptures we are told that without blood, there is no forgiveness
of sins. "For the life of a creature is in the blood, and I have given
it to you to make atonement for yourselves on the altar; it is the
blood that makes atonement for one's life." Leviticus 17:11. We also
read in Hebrews 9:22, "without the shedding of blood there is no
forgiveness."
The reason for this is that God is not only a god of love, mercy and
kindness, he is also a god of justice. Sin must be paid for and this
is the horrific reality we are all born into: because we have all
sinned, we all face God's judgment and that judgment is found in a
fiery lake of burning sulfur, Revelation 21:8. Because Jesus never
sinned, he was uniquely qualified to die in our stead. This is the
point the Scriptures teach us, right from the beginning in the
writings of Moses on through to the end of the New Testament. In
Revelation 5:9-10, we read about a song "the four living creatures and
the twenty-four elders" sang, "You are worthy to take the scroll and
to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you
purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and
nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our
God, and they will reign on the earth."
Jesus "purchased men" from God's judgment by shedding his blood on a
miserable cross for us! He paid the penalty for our sins and so his
blood becomes the basis for the new covenant. This new covenant God
has provided makes a way for us into his family, a place at his table:
eternal life! How wonderful the precious blood of Jesus Christ that he
poured out for you and me!
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share
your thoughts of worship from your Bible reading today. I'd love to
hear from you!
Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com
Thursday, June 7, 2012
Arm yourself, literally - Ruminating in the Word of God
The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing,
majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of
him and what came to my mind and heart in Luke 22:35-36,
"Then Jesus asked them, 'When I sent you without purse, bag or
sandals, did you lack anything?' 'Nothing,' they answered. He said to
them, 'But now if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag; and if
you don't have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one.'"
It is often thought that those who rely on the Lord most completely
are the spiritual ones most completely. We often hear it said that we
just need to move ahead and trust the Lord to provide. Sometimes I
have heard it said it is a matter of faith that we move ahead
unprepared. I've seen this in a shortage of building funds: go ahead
with the addition even though there isn't money. A shortage of funding
for a new staff member at our church: go ahead and hire that youth
minister. You get the idea…
Scripture tells us the Lord will provide. "Therefore I tell you, do
not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your
body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and
the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air;
they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly
Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?" Matthew
6:25-26. The Lord provides. I am also reminded of the admonition in
Philippians 4:6, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything,
by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to
God."
However, there comes a point where we can presume upon the Lord in
error to provide for whatever it is we are pursuing. We can at times
assume our agenda is his agenda. It takes some wisdom to know when
that threshold is being approached. It is one thing to refrain from
anxiety over the daily needs we face (betraying a lack of faith in God
our Provider), another to presume upon him, thinking his goals are
ours. I've seen a few building programs of churches go belly-up.
One aspect of this shows itself in the decisions we make regarding
insurance and preparation. Do I need to have some extra food stocked
up, just in case? Or, should I just trust the Lord to provide if
catastrophe strikes? Should Christians be "preppers"? Should I provide
for my own defense or the defense of those who are dependant on me in
the event of personal threat?
Luke 22:35-36 provides some interesting guidance. From it I learn I
need to plan and make preparations in order to pursue what God asks of
me. Providing for my family is an important part of that. "If anyone
does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate
family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever." 1
Timothy 5:8. He isn't going to provide it all. A part of completing
what he has asked of me is to procure the means to get it done.
I don't know that I have ever heard a sermon on "if you don't have a
sword, sell your cloak and buy one". I have heard plenty on turning
the other cheek…
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share
your thoughts of worship from your Bible reading today. I'd love to
hear from you!
Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com
majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of
him and what came to my mind and heart in Luke 22:35-36,
"Then Jesus asked them, 'When I sent you without purse, bag or
sandals, did you lack anything?' 'Nothing,' they answered. He said to
them, 'But now if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag; and if
you don't have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one.'"
It is often thought that those who rely on the Lord most completely
are the spiritual ones most completely. We often hear it said that we
just need to move ahead and trust the Lord to provide. Sometimes I
have heard it said it is a matter of faith that we move ahead
unprepared. I've seen this in a shortage of building funds: go ahead
with the addition even though there isn't money. A shortage of funding
for a new staff member at our church: go ahead and hire that youth
minister. You get the idea…
Scripture tells us the Lord will provide. "Therefore I tell you, do
not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your
body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and
the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air;
they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly
Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?" Matthew
6:25-26. The Lord provides. I am also reminded of the admonition in
Philippians 4:6, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything,
by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to
God."
However, there comes a point where we can presume upon the Lord in
error to provide for whatever it is we are pursuing. We can at times
assume our agenda is his agenda. It takes some wisdom to know when
that threshold is being approached. It is one thing to refrain from
anxiety over the daily needs we face (betraying a lack of faith in God
our Provider), another to presume upon him, thinking his goals are
ours. I've seen a few building programs of churches go belly-up.
One aspect of this shows itself in the decisions we make regarding
insurance and preparation. Do I need to have some extra food stocked
up, just in case? Or, should I just trust the Lord to provide if
catastrophe strikes? Should Christians be "preppers"? Should I provide
for my own defense or the defense of those who are dependant on me in
the event of personal threat?
Luke 22:35-36 provides some interesting guidance. From it I learn I
need to plan and make preparations in order to pursue what God asks of
me. Providing for my family is an important part of that. "If anyone
does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate
family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever." 1
Timothy 5:8. He isn't going to provide it all. A part of completing
what he has asked of me is to procure the means to get it done.
I don't know that I have ever heard a sermon on "if you don't have a
sword, sell your cloak and buy one". I have heard plenty on turning
the other cheek…
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share
your thoughts of worship from your Bible reading today. I'd love to
hear from you!
Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com
Monday, June 4, 2012
Seeking Jesus and getting nothing - Ruminating in the Word of God.
The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing,
majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of
him and what came to my mind and heart in Luke 23:8-11,
"When Herod saw Jesus, he was greatly pleased, because for a long time
he had been wanting to see him. From what he had heard about him, he
hoped to see him perform some miracle. He plied him with many
questions, but Jesus gave him no answer. The chief priests and the
teachers of the law were standing there, vehemently accusing him. Then
Herod and his soldiers ridiculed and mocked him."
Here is a man who took great interest in Jesus, but to no avail. His
interest was in the miracles Jesus performed and apparently little
else other than having some questions answered. He had a personal
encounter with him and it made no difference in his life. How is this
possible? After not getting what it was he was interested in, he was
reduced to ridiculing and mocking the Son of God. Herod missed the
reason Jesus came - it was not for entertainment.
Perhaps this is instructive of an important point. Jesus "came to seek
and to save what was lost." Luke 19:10. What is lost are the souls of
mankind. All have sinned and all face condemnation following this
life. Jesus came to pay the penalty for the sins of all and to offer
God's forgiveness if we place our faith and trust in him. Jesus said,
"Whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life
and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life."
John 5:24. When we embrace Jesus Christ in faith we are forgiven all
our sins and immediately enter into God's family. Our outcome,
following this life, changes from a fiery lake of burning sulfur
(Revelation 21:8) to heaven itself.
There may be many reasons why someone might take an interest in Jesus.
Just as Herod's interest in Jesus' miracles resulted in nothing for
him, so those who approach Jesus for some other reason than to find
forgiveness, to embrace him as the Son of God and trust in the
sacrifice he made of himself on that cross, it will do little good. He
can be sought for developing good, ethical principles. He can be
sought to bring peace to the world. He can be sought to bring
financial security, he can be sought for health, he can be sought to
provide a job, a spouse, sanity to our families, direction for our
children. While it is certainly true that he can provide all these
things, if these are the things sought and not Jesus himself for who
he is and what he has done, our interest in him will do just as good
as it did for Herod.
This morning I am reminded that Jesus came first and foremost as our
Savior, not as an errand boy to tend to our wants and desires. He
loves us and has tremendous compassion for us. He does many things for
us. But if we don't approach him as the savior of our souls, we just
may find ourselves in Herod's shoes.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share
your thoughts of worship from your Bible reading today. I'd love to
hear from you!
Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com
majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of
him and what came to my mind and heart in Luke 23:8-11,
"When Herod saw Jesus, he was greatly pleased, because for a long time
he had been wanting to see him. From what he had heard about him, he
hoped to see him perform some miracle. He plied him with many
questions, but Jesus gave him no answer. The chief priests and the
teachers of the law were standing there, vehemently accusing him. Then
Herod and his soldiers ridiculed and mocked him."
Here is a man who took great interest in Jesus, but to no avail. His
interest was in the miracles Jesus performed and apparently little
else other than having some questions answered. He had a personal
encounter with him and it made no difference in his life. How is this
possible? After not getting what it was he was interested in, he was
reduced to ridiculing and mocking the Son of God. Herod missed the
reason Jesus came - it was not for entertainment.
Perhaps this is instructive of an important point. Jesus "came to seek
and to save what was lost." Luke 19:10. What is lost are the souls of
mankind. All have sinned and all face condemnation following this
life. Jesus came to pay the penalty for the sins of all and to offer
God's forgiveness if we place our faith and trust in him. Jesus said,
"Whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life
and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life."
John 5:24. When we embrace Jesus Christ in faith we are forgiven all
our sins and immediately enter into God's family. Our outcome,
following this life, changes from a fiery lake of burning sulfur
(Revelation 21:8) to heaven itself.
There may be many reasons why someone might take an interest in Jesus.
Just as Herod's interest in Jesus' miracles resulted in nothing for
him, so those who approach Jesus for some other reason than to find
forgiveness, to embrace him as the Son of God and trust in the
sacrifice he made of himself on that cross, it will do little good. He
can be sought for developing good, ethical principles. He can be
sought to bring peace to the world. He can be sought to bring
financial security, he can be sought for health, he can be sought to
provide a job, a spouse, sanity to our families, direction for our
children. While it is certainly true that he can provide all these
things, if these are the things sought and not Jesus himself for who
he is and what he has done, our interest in him will do just as good
as it did for Herod.
This morning I am reminded that Jesus came first and foremost as our
Savior, not as an errand boy to tend to our wants and desires. He
loves us and has tremendous compassion for us. He does many things for
us. But if we don't approach him as the savior of our souls, we just
may find ourselves in Herod's shoes.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share
your thoughts of worship from your Bible reading today. I'd love to
hear from you!
Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com
Friday, June 1, 2012
Perfect and merciful justice - Ruminating in the Word of God.
The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing,
majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of
him and what came to my mind and heart in Luke 23:18-23,
"With one voice they cried out, 'Away with this man! Release Barabbas
to us!' (Barabbas had been thrown into prison for an insurrection in
the city, and for murder.) Wanting to release Jesus, Pilate appealed
to them again. But they kept shouting, 'Crucify him! Crucify him!' For
the third time he spoke to them: 'Why? What crime has this man
committed? I have found in him no grounds for the death penalty.
Therefore I will have him punished and then release him.' But with
loud shouts they insistently demanded that he be crucified, and their
shouts prevailed. So Pilate decided to grant their demand. He released
the man who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder,
the one they asked for, and surrendered Jesus to their will."
Pilate wanted to release Jesus after the leaders of the Jews brought
him to them. Pilate found no cause for the death penalty. Together
with the people, the chief priests and the rulers insisted Jesus be
crucified. They said, "Away with this man!", "Crucify him! Crucify
him!", and "insistently demanded that he be crucified, and their
shouts prevailed."
Anything but justice took place that day as the mob demanded the Son
of God be put to death. Falsely arrested and accused, Jesus was put to
death for no crime he had committed. And, yet, the greatest act of
justice was accomplished on that day, justice this crowd knew nothing
of.
The Son of God came to planet Earth for this very act: to die on
behalf of all mankind. Taking the punishment of all, he took our place
and suffered in our stead. Justice was accomplished in the court of
God, justice satisfied by the payment Jesus Christ made. Mankind now
has a way into God's family. All this by predetermined design and
artful manipulation as Jesus carried out his earthly ministry.
Jesus said, "The Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost."
Luke 19:10. The writer of Hebrews tells us, "He [Jesus Christ]
sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself."
Hebrews 7:27. As such, Jesus says, "I am the way and the truth and the
life. No one comes to the Father except through me." John 14:6.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share
your thoughts of worship from your Bible reading today. I'd love to
hear from you!
Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com
majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of
him and what came to my mind and heart in Luke 23:18-23,
"With one voice they cried out, 'Away with this man! Release Barabbas
to us!' (Barabbas had been thrown into prison for an insurrection in
the city, and for murder.) Wanting to release Jesus, Pilate appealed
to them again. But they kept shouting, 'Crucify him! Crucify him!' For
the third time he spoke to them: 'Why? What crime has this man
committed? I have found in him no grounds for the death penalty.
Therefore I will have him punished and then release him.' But with
loud shouts they insistently demanded that he be crucified, and their
shouts prevailed. So Pilate decided to grant their demand. He released
the man who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder,
the one they asked for, and surrendered Jesus to their will."
Pilate wanted to release Jesus after the leaders of the Jews brought
him to them. Pilate found no cause for the death penalty. Together
with the people, the chief priests and the rulers insisted Jesus be
crucified. They said, "Away with this man!", "Crucify him! Crucify
him!", and "insistently demanded that he be crucified, and their
shouts prevailed."
Anything but justice took place that day as the mob demanded the Son
of God be put to death. Falsely arrested and accused, Jesus was put to
death for no crime he had committed. And, yet, the greatest act of
justice was accomplished on that day, justice this crowd knew nothing
of.
The Son of God came to planet Earth for this very act: to die on
behalf of all mankind. Taking the punishment of all, he took our place
and suffered in our stead. Justice was accomplished in the court of
God, justice satisfied by the payment Jesus Christ made. Mankind now
has a way into God's family. All this by predetermined design and
artful manipulation as Jesus carried out his earthly ministry.
Jesus said, "The Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost."
Luke 19:10. The writer of Hebrews tells us, "He [Jesus Christ]
sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself."
Hebrews 7:27. As such, Jesus says, "I am the way and the truth and the
life. No one comes to the Father except through me." John 14:6.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share
your thoughts of worship from your Bible reading today. I'd love to
hear from you!
Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com
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