Monday, April 30, 2012
Ruminating in the Word of God: On being a child of God.
majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of
him and what came to my mind and heart in Luke 20:35-36,
"Those who are considered worthy of taking part in that age and in the
resurrection from the dead will neither marry nor be given in
marriage, and they can no longer die; for they are like the angels.
They are God's children, since they are children of the resurrection."
Not all are considered to be one of "God's children" in this passage.
In one sense, because all mankind has his origin in God as his
Creator, all are thought to be "all God's children". But here, in
Jesus' comment, there are a select few who are considered to be God's
children in a specific sense. These are ones who are set apart, who
are considered "worthy of taking part" in the resurrection of life.
How does one become "worthy" of such an honor as becoming a child of
God? We read in John 1:12, "… to all who received him, to those who
believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God".
Belief, faith, trust. All who will embrace Jesus Christ in faith gain
the right to become God's children. Anyone can put their faith in him
and our worthiness is not established by living a morally superior
life. The worthiness to become a child of God is what Scripture calls
"righteousness" and it is the very righteousness of Jesus Christ that
becomes ours, what we share in when we embrace Jesus Christ in faith.
It is interesting to speculate as to what life will be like for God's
children when they pass through death's doorway into eternity. We are
told that in that life we will not be married, we will be like the
angels and we will not be able to die again. We read in Revelation
21:4 that, "There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain,
for the old order of things has passed away."
Becoming a child of God means we will share in the inheritance of
God's Son, Jesus Christ. "The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit
that we are God's children. Now if we are children, then we are
heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ…" Romans 8:16-17. For me,
this provides much to consider and muse upon… exciting stuff!
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share
your thoughts of worship with us from your Bible reading today. We'd
love to hear from you!
Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com
Friday, April 20, 2012
Ruminating in the Word of God: Forget the good thoughts - go with the Scriptures!
majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of
him and what came to my mind and heart in Luke 21:10-17,
"Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There
will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places,
and fearful events and great signs from heaven. But before all this,
they will lay hands on you and persecute you. They will deliver you to
synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and
governors, and all on account of my name. This will result in your
being witnesses to them. But make up your mind not to worry beforehand
how you will defend yourselves. For I will give you words and wisdom
that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict.
You will be betrayed even by parents, brothers, relatives and friends,
and they will put some of you to death. All men will hate you because
of me."
Just prior to Jesus' arrest, crucifixion and resurrection he told of
both the destruction of Jerusalem and what is going to take place on
earth just prior to his return to establish his kingdom: his second
coming. The destruction of Jerusalem took place in 70AD and we still
await his second coming. His description of events prior to his coming
are both exciting and frightful. Horrific in nature, his account of
what will take place before he comes to bring this present age to a
close is riveting.
I recall studying eschatology in college (that portion of theology
that relates to future events) and learning of a school of thought
that believers will be snatched from earth prior to the horrific
events that are to come before Jesus' second coming. Failing to find
anything from the Scriptures speaking directly to defend the position,
we were told that God loves his people… he wouldn't allow them to
suffer, would he?
Additionally, I have had many friends over the years who have
subscribed to the notion that since God loves us, he wants to bless us
and keep us from all sickness and disease. Not being able to escape
the observation that many of these folks never seemed to "prosper"
beyond anyone else and that they all got colds and the flu as much as
me or anyone else, Christian or not, (including cancer, diabetes,
etc.) I couldn't help but notice the only ones being "blessed" by God
have been the TV evangelists sporting expensive clothing, jewelry (I
recall one from the south proclaiming, "Yes, I like the 'bling'!") and
driving expensive cars. Failing to find anything from the Scriptures
speaking directly to defend the position, I have been told that God
loves his people… he doesn't want them to be poor or to be sick, does
he?
A lot of folks have a lot of thoughts and ideas about the things of
God. How important to read what God has to say about things! Else, I
might question God's love for me. I might question whether I really
have a part in his family. I might get discouraged and become
unproductive in how I spend my life for his purposes. I might fall
away…
Jesus paints a whole different picture than what a lot of, I'm sure
well-intentioned, church folks have said over the years. Here in this
passage where the Lord speaks of what is to come prior to his return,
he says to take courage, "do not be frightened", Luke 21:9. "Stand up
and lift up lift up your heads…" Why? Because we will be right in the
midst of terrifying things taking place and he wants us to stand firm.
"… your redemption is drawing near." Believer's will be betrayed, even
by loved ones. "All men will hate you because of me." We are told
people will lay their hands on us and persecute us. We will be
arrested and brought before the authorities.
Even in the not-so-dramatic times prior to the return of the Lord, we
are told we are going to suffer as believers. The suffering has a very
important part to play in our maturing process as believers. "Not only
so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that
suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and
character, hope." Romans 5:3-4.
"… for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of
trials. These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold,
which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and
may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed."
1 Peter 1:6-7.
You get the picture… may we all cast off all the good thoughts and
return to what the Lord is telling us in the pages of Scripture. It
may not be what we thought it might say, it may not even be what we
think it is what we want to hear… but it is certainly what we need to
hear. The Lord told us these things that we would be prepared. We best
get ready and equip ourselves with the truth.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share
your thoughts of worship with us from your Bible reading today. We'd
love to hear from you!
Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com
Thursday, April 19, 2012
Ruminating in the Word of God: Missing God's visit?
majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of
him and what came to my mind and heart in Luke 20:44,
"...you did not recognize the time of God's coming to you."
Jesus foretold the judgment that was now going to come to Jerusalem
because, as a people, Jerusalem and the Jews failed to recognize God's
visit to them in the form of Jesus' appearance. God visited the nation
of Israel in a startling way, through the incarnation of his Son Jesus
Christ. The direct purpose was to offer his kingdom and Israel missed
it, they passed on it. Earlier, in the previous chapter, Jesus said,
"The Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost." Luke 19:10.
He spent his earthly ministry offering the kingdom of God to Israel
and Israel missed it!
This brings to mind the reality that at some time or another, and
possibly on a number of occasions, God visits each of us. Will we
recognize those times God comes to us? Paul asks the question, "Did
they not hear?" Romans 10:18. He answers by quoting Psalm19:4, "Of
course they did: 'Their voice has gone out into all the earth, their
words to the ends of the world.'" The point Paul makes is that the
very creation itself speaks on God's behalf as a given, and that, more
specifically, he sends certain ones to us all, "How, then, can they
call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in
the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without
someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are
sent? As it is written, 'How beautiful are the feet of those who bring
good news!'" Romans 10:14-15. God sends his messengers to all.
God wants us all. "He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to
perish, but everyone to come to repentance." 2 Peter 3:9. Also, "God
our Savior… wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of
the truth." 1 Timothy 2:3-4. He sent his Son Jesus Christ to die on
our behalf, taking the penalty of our sins on himself. He sent his Son
to offer his kingdom, to offer entrance into his family, if we would
but embrace him in faith, "To all who received him, to those who
believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God…"
John 1:12.
Further, he wants us to become spiritually mature, to take on the
likeness, the image of Jesus Christ, "those God foreknew [those he
knew ahead of time that would embrace him in faith] he also
predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son…" Romans 8:28.
God comes to us to bring this about, "the Counselor, the Holy Spirit,
whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and
will remind you of everything I have said to you." John 14:26. God
comes to visit us to bring about this growth process in our lives.
Will we recognize the time of God's coming to us? Will we see him
coming? Will we welcome him into our hearts? Will we embrace all he
has for us? May we not be of those he has said, "All day long I have
held out my hands to a disobedient and obstinate people." Romans
10:21.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share
your thoughts of worship with us from your Bible reading today. We'd
love to hear from you!
Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Ruminating in the Word of God: The sternness of God.
majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of
him and what came to my mind and heart in Luke 9:27,
"Those enemies of mine who did not want me to be king over them—bring
them here and kill them in front of me."
In the parable of the minas, Jesus casts himself as the man of noble
birth who "went to a distant country to have himself appointed king
and then to return." In the account he tells of subjects who hated the
man of noble birth and sent a delegation to after him to say they
didn't want the man to be their king. The man, having been made king
nonetheless, exacted this horrific judgment upon those who rejected
him.
God is love. We are told that countless time in Scripture. In 1 John
4:8 and 16 we are told "God is love." We are told the crowning
expression of God's love is found in his sending his Son to die a
miserable death on that cross to pay the penalty for our sins. "For
God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son…" John 3:16.
However, love is not the only defining characteristic of our Creator
God. "Consider therefore the kindness and sternness of God…" Romans
11:22a. God is both kind and stern. God exercises both kindness and
justice. We read in Jeremiah 9:24, "I am the Lord, who exercises
kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I
delight..." It is this aspect of the Lord's justice that is pictured
in the sternness of the man of noble birth who had those that rejected
him slaughtered.
This very same Son of God who came to "seek and to save what was lost"
by offering himself as a willing sacrifice to make a way for us into
his family is the very same Lord of whom we are told, "He treads the
winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty." Revelation 19:15.
Neither of these characteristics of our Lord overshadow the other.
Both reside within him in bold and passionate expression. The love of
God is beyond our wildest imagination, just as his justice is
horrific. The parable of the minas is a great reminder of this.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share
your thoughts of worship with us from your Bible reading today. We'd
love to hear from you!
Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Ruminating in the Word of God: Use it or lose it.
majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of
him and what came to my mind and heart in ,
"His master replied, 'I will judge you by your own words, you wicked
servant! You knew, did you, that I am a hard man, taking out what I
did not put in, and reaping what I did not sow? Why then didn't you
put my money on deposit, so that when I came back, I could have
collected it with interest?' Then he said to those standing by, 'Take
his mina away from him and give it to the one who has ten minas.'"
This is the response of the "man of noble birth" in the parable of the
minas when he learned one of his servants failed to utilize what he
had provided him to invest in his absence. In an article on the blog,
"Tough Questions Answered",
http://www.toughquestionsanswered.org/2009/06/09/what-does-the-parable-of-the-minas-mean/
Bill Pratt provides this analysis on the Parable of the Minas:
"There seem to be at least five major points that the parable
communicates. First, Jesus will leave his disciples for an
undetermined amount of time. Second, Jesus will return to consummate
his kingdom some time in the future. Third, disciples of Jesus who are
good stewards in his absence will receive incredible rewards from him
upon his return. Fourth, disciples of Jesus who are poor stewards in
his absence will have their rewards taken away and given to the
disciples who are good stewards. Fifth, those who reject Jesus as the
rightful king will face a terrible judgment upon his return."
This appears to me to be a very good summary of the meaning of the
parable. It is the part about the irresponsible steward that failed to
use what was given him that captures my thoughts this morning.
In Romans 12:6-8, we read, "We have different gifts, according to the
grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in
proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is
teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if
it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if
it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy,
let him do it cheerfully." While Paul didn't intend to provide a
comprehensive list of all the gifts and abilities the Lord has
provided us, he certainly makes the point we have all been given
something to use in furthering his kingdom in his absence till he
returns.
The language the Lord used in his parable is remarkable in the
sternness with which the man of noble birth, who represents the Lord,
spoke to the irresponsible steward. The Lord has given us gifts and
his expectation is that we exploit those gifts to the fullest. The
Lord could not be more clear with this expectation.
I should not fiddle around with what the Lord has given me to use on
his behalf. Trifling with the Lord is never a good idea.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share
your thoughts of worship with us from your Bible reading today. We'd
love to hear from you!
Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com
Monday, April 16, 2012
Ruminating in the Word of God: Eternity in an instant.
majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of
him and what came to my mind and heart in Luke 19:9,
"Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a
son of Abraham."
As Zacchaeus expressed his faith by manifesting it in his decision to
give his wealth to the poor and recompense all those he had wronged,
Jesus acknowledged the salvation that had come to him. In another
place, Jesus told Nicodemus that no one could see the kingdom of God
unless he is born again, John 3:3. This account of Zaccaeus is of one
who experienced this second birth, a spiritual birth.
I note that Jesus said "Today" as the time frame of Zacchaeus'
salvation. While this may seem a fairly unimportant detail, it catches
my attention this morning. When we place our faith in Jesus Christ and
are born into is kingdom, it takes place at a certain point in time.
It was on this very day Luke tells us of, that Zacchaeus was saved.
Not the day before and not the following day. This was Zacchaeus' day.
I am reminded that it may be we consider the claims of the gospel over
a period of time and it may be that several different people have
shared the things of the Lord with us over an extended period of time,
but when we place our faith in Jesus Christ, it happens at a point in
time. It is a transaction that takes place instantly. Not that we are
spiritual mature in an instant - just as we are not born physically
mature - but we do become spiritually alive at a point in time, just
as we become physically alive at a point in time. Just as we are
conceived in our mother's wombs at a certain specific point in time,
so when we are born again, it is at a certain specific point in time.
This life we experience is all about the two births. God is building
his kingdom and to do so, we are brought into this world physically
and then all heaven awaits to see if we will experience the second,
spiritual birth. It is obvious the first birth is required for us to
experience this life, and the second birth is required for us to
experience eternal life in the next. At times I think of this life as
the "birthing room of God." This life is temporary. It's ultimate
purpose is to provide a winnowing process where God builds his family
from all mankind. Those who embrace him in faith enter into his
family, all others will be cast into a fiery lake of burning sulfur,
Revelation 20:15-20.
What is fascinating to consider is the next life will be unending. It
will be the life God intends for us, life where true happiness,
purposefulness, fulfillment and enjoyment is experienced in a context
of complete love and where fairness and rightfulness reigns supreme in
God's very presence. This life is only about building God's family.
The next will be about living in God's family. This life is temporary.
The things of our lives here pass when we do. There is only one event,
one possession that we can possibly take into the next life, our
family membership that assures us our place in God's kingdom for an
eternity.
What happens in an instant will bring what happens eternally.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share
your thoughts of worship with us from your Bible reading today. We'd
love to hear from you!
Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com
Friday, April 13, 2012
Ruminating in the Word of God: Where does faith come from?
majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of
him and what came to my mind and heart in Romans 10:14-15,
"How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And
how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how
can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they
preach unless they are sent? As it is written, 'How beautiful are the
feet of those who bring good news!'"
How do people come to the point of believing in the Lord? Where does
faith come from? Why do some believe in the Lord and others do not?
These are very important questions as the answers hold the most grave
of all outcomes to our lives: where will we spend eternity?
Jesus provided his mission statement in simplest of terms: "The Son of
Man came to seek and to save what was lost." Luke 19:10. God is
building his kingdom. We are told over and again that Jesus came to
offer the kingdom of God as we read the accounts of his activities in
the gospels. The primary purpose of this life is to provide
opportunity to enter into his kingdom. This life is limited, temporary
and does not consist of all God intends for us when he creates us.
Real life will be lived in the next, in the resurrection, where those
who have entered into his kingdom will live forever in his presence.
In Romans 10:9-10 we are told very clearly how salvation takes place:
"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." Belief and confession to
that belief is what brings us salvation, provides us entry into God's
kingdom. It is fairly obvious that confession of faith comes from that
faith we are confessing… but where does that faith come from and how
does it result in us entering into the Lord's kingdom?
Paul describes how this happens in our verses above. In reverse order
we read that people are sent to bring the "good news" and preach it -
they share it with others. When that gospel is preached, as it is
heard, some will believe it. Those who respond in faith call on the
Lord they now believe in and results in our Romans 10:9-10 passage,
"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 the gospel message the Lord has provided us. This is
the vehicle the Lord uses to populate his kingdom. A few verses later
Paul makes the statement, "Consequently, faith comes from hearing the
message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ." Romans
10:17. Of the Lord's gospel message Paul says earlier in his letter,
"I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for
the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for
the Gentile. For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a
righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is
written: 'The righteous will live by faith.'"
Why wouldn't all respond in faith to the gospel? Jesus answered this
in his conversation with Nicodemus, "Whoever believes in him is not
condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already
because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son.
This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved
darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who
does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear
that his deeds will be exposed." Some cling to their sin and will not
embrace the Lord. A horrific and short-sighted choice given the
consequences.
Today's contemporary theology calls for salvation by appointment
rather than faith. It claims only certain ones are visited with what
can only be compared to a date-rape drug given by God that results in
obedience without any choice on their part. This is not the letter
Paul wrote to the church in Rome.
In that letter Paul wrote, I read of a God who loves us and desires
all. He is building his kingdom and has sent his gospel to provide us
all opportunity to choose him. His choice is all who will respond to
his gospel.
May we all respond to this wonderful love of God represented in his
gospel message!
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share
your thoughts of worship with us from your Bible reading today. We'd
love to hear from you!
Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com
Thursday, April 12, 2012
Ruminating in the Word of God: Why was Jesus here?
majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of
him and what came to my mind and heart in Luke 19:10,
"The Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost."
This is what Jesus told Zacchaeus when he expressed his faith in Jesus
by his repenting of cheating others and his decision to give half his
possessions to the poor. As Jesus listened to Zacchaeus' expression of
faith, he announced the salvation that had come to Zacchaeus that day
as a new son of Abraham - by emulating the faith of Abraham. Here is
yet again another affirmation that salvation is by faith, not by being
a do-gooder and not by appointment.
Zacchaeus placed his faith in Jesus and expressed it in his actions
and decisions. Some tell us that faith is the expression of salvation.
However, Scripture tells us repeatedly that faith brings salvation and
that faith finds its expression in our lives by the things we think,
do and say.
What grips my heart this morning is the purpose Jesus came to planet
earth to accomplish. This month's edition of Newsweek features an
article based on a theme of forget church and follow Jesus. It
presents an excellent perspective on the shortcomings of the Roman
Catholic church, the Evangelical church and everything between. The
author, Andrew Sullivan, suggests, given such shortcomings and the
fact that many people are leaving the denominations by the droves,
consideration ought to be given to follow the teachings of Jesus as an
alternative to church participation.
Within this Newsweek article, the horrific account of Thomas
Jefferson's action in mutilating the Word of God by literally cutting
out all portions he did not see fit for himself, Sullivan suggests
Jefferson was on to something worth considering. He assumes Thomas
Jefferson's perspective on the purpose of Jesus Christ's appearance:
Jesus came to teach us how to live our lives in a manner that would be
morally upright and bring spiritual fulfillment and happiness.
While Jesus certainly did teach us how to live morally upright lives
that would bring spiritual fulfillment and happiness, both Thomas
Jefferson and the article's author both miss the primary reason, the
big reason Jesus came. Here in Luke 19:10 is the Lord's own purpose
statement, a statement seemingly lost to both Thomas Jefferson and
Andrew Sullivan: Jesus came to seek and to save what was lost. He came
to offer himself as a ransom for many. He died a miserable death to
pay the penalty for our sins.
I remain awestruck by the words of the Apostle John, "This is love:
not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an
atoning sacrifice for our sins." All spiritual disciplines, all
activities we engage in should be ordered by God's eternal purpose for
us, a purpose that brought his Son Jesus Christ to die for us, to save
us.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share
your thoughts of worship with us from your Bible reading today. We'd
love to hear from you!
Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Ruminating in the Word of God: A son of Abraham
majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of
him and what came to my mind and heart in Luke 19:9,
"Today salvation has come to this house, because this man [Zacchaeus],
too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save
what was lost."
Paul makes an important point in Romans 9:6-8, "Not all who are
descended from Israel are Israel. Nor because they are his descendants
are they all Abraham's children. On the contrary, 'It is through Isaac
that your offspring will be reckoned.' In other words, it is not the
natural children who are God's children, but it is the children of the
promise who are regarded as Abraham's offspring."
Faith in the Lord is what makes one "offspring" of Abraham. Being a
son of Abraham is a reference to being of the faith of Abraham, hence
being righteous in the sight of God and included in his kingdom
blessed with eternal life. In Romans 4:16 we read, "Therefore, the
promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace and may be
guaranteed to all Abraham's offspring—not only to those who are of the
law but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham. He is the
father of us all." It is by faith.
So, when the Lord called Zacchaeus "a son of Abraham", what did he
mean? What we learn from the Lord here is that Zacchaeus was a man of
faith. He might have been a sinner, as the people muttered about him
in Luke 19:7. All people of faith come to the point of faith as
sinners.
Zacchaeus gave his possessions to the poor and paid back four times
the amount he had cheated folks out of. Was it these good deeds of
Zacchaeus that made him a son of Abraham? These things he did were a
reflection of the faith he had placed in the Lord. James tells us that
the kind of faith the Lord looks for within us, the saving kind of
faith, is the faith that will be reflected in the things we think, do
and say, not the other way around. "Someone will say, 'You have faith;
I have deeds.' Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you
my faith by what I do." James 2:18.
Zacchaeus was a son of Abraham, not because he was a Jew or because he
did good deeds. He was a son of Abraham because he demonstrated the
same faith Abraham had by his actions.
If it took being a Jew doing good deeds to get into heaven, I'd have
to "hang it up." There would be no way for me. I'm not the first and I
struggle with the second. How wonderful God's promise of eternal life
is offered to us all for one thing and one thing alone: faith in him!
When we express the faith Abraham had we are considered Abraham's
children, members of God's kingdom and the inheritors of eternal life!
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share
your thoughts of worship with us from your Bible reading today. We'd
love to hear from you!
Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com