Being Used by God - 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 today and what came to my heart and mind in Luke 21:12,

"But before all this, they will lay hands on you and persecute you."

This is a part of the answer Jesus gave his followers when they asked him about the destruction of Jerusalem and what signs to look for just prior to his second coming back to Earth. One of the signs is a persecution of Jesus' followers. Why would God allow this? Doesn't he love his people? Since they have embraced God in trust, why would they be given over to those who would harm them?

Jesus answers this as he continues, "This will result in your being witnesses to them.", verse 13. God has a purpose for bringing difficulties into our lives and will do so. Contrary to much of what is being taught today in our churches, God's people will endure difficulties and hardships. Often it is heard that if we but place our faith in Jesus, our families, our marriages, our health our finances will all be blessed by troubles being taken away because God loves his own. While it is true that God loves his own, it is not his intention to remove us from difficulties in life. As Jesus tells us here, God will bring difficulties into our lives for his own purposes, his own agenda, the things he wants to accomplish.

All we need do is ask Job about it. He endured horrific difficulties as God used him to make a point with Satan. Paul learned of this when he said, "We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about the hardships we suffered in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life. Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead." 2 Corinthians 1:2. Here God took Paul and his companions through hardships to teach them to rely on him. God brought difficulty into Paul's life to bring about his own purposes for Paul.

In another place Paul speaks about the difficulties God brings into our lives to mold and shape us into the image of his Son, that is, to bring spiritual maturity to our lives. In Romans 5:3-4, "we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope." Also, Romans 8:35-36, "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: 'For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.'" Why is it we will face death all day long for Christ's sake? Paul tells us, "Those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers." Romans 8:29. God uses difficulties in our lives to shape us, to mold us into the image of beauty he has for us.

God has grander plans for us than to simply provide us a bed of ease. He purposefully brings difficulties into our lives to grow us and to use us as he sees fit. While I can say that a bed of ease looks awfully attractive, I have to admit that becoming a part of God's agenda, being used by him for his purposes sounds much more fulfilling, much more exciting!

How about you?

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!

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On Being a Child of God - 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 today and what came to my heart and mind 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 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 what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!

If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.

Eternity in an Instant! - 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 today and what came to my heart and mind 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 his 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 spiritually 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 that 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. Its 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 that 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 what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!

If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.  

Justice, God's Style - 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 today and what came to my heart and mind in Luke 18:7-8,

"Will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?"

In this summation of the parable of the persistent widow, Jesus told of the justice of God. Luke provides the purpose of the parable in verse 1, "Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up."

When folks ask for justice, they are requesting what is coming as a certainty. However, God's people need to be tenacious in their request to God for justice. God exercises "kindness, justice and righteousness on earth", Jeremiah 9:24, and so that justice will be coming. God will be responding to the request of his "chosen ones" for justice. Their persistence in prayer for justice will aid them in leaving retribution in the hands of God. It will aid them in issues of anger, bitterness and unforgiveness as they experience the intolerance and the harsh treatment the world provides.

Jesus' closing remark at the end of the parable is a sobering one. "Will he find faith on the earth?" That is the issue when considering the justice of God. The "chosen ones" Jesus refers to are those who are people of faith, those who have placed their trust in him. When the Lord comes to bring justice to the earth, those who have embraced Jesus Christ in faith will escape God's judgment and instead, find their grievances addressed by God against those who have opposed them, those who are not of faith.

There is no surprise that true believers find opposition from unbelievers. John speaks to this as a natural outcome of the spiritual forces at work in the world, "For this is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another. Do not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own actions were evil and his brother's were righteous. Do not be surprised, my brothers, if the world hates you." 1 John 3:11-13. This animosity expresses itself in the maltreatment of believers by others and when it happens we are to be in prayer about it.

As I read of the horrific nature of God's justice, I can't help but feel a real concern for those who have not placed their faith in Jesus Christ. The judgment scene depicted in Revelation 20:11-15 is a frightful one!

"When the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?"

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!

If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.

God draws us through suffering.- 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 today and what came to my heart and mind in Luke 17:13,

"Jesus, Master, have pity on us!"

This is the cry of the ten men who had leprosy. In their distress they called out to Jesus to be delivered from their pain and misery.

The gospels are filled with accounts of people in pain, misery, illness, bereavement and infirmity of one kind or another. In chapter 4 we read of Peter's mother-in-law suffering from a high fever. Later in that chapter we read of many who were brought to him who had "various kinds of sickness" and demons. In chapter 5 we read of another man with leprosy and a paralytic. A centurion had a sick servant about to die in chapter 7. In chapter 8 we read of Jairus, a ruler of a synagogue who had a twelve year old daughter dying. In that same chapter we read of a woman who had been "subject to bleeding for twelve years". In chapter 9 the account of a man who had a son with an "evil spirit". This is just a small sampling of the many accounts we read of.

What we find of these accounts is that life then is much like it is today. People suffer. They suffer in a myriad of ways. Why is it there is so much suffering that causes people to cry out for relief and deliverance? If Jesus loves us so, if God loves us so, why not just heal everyone of all their pain, misery, infirmities, sickness and suffering? While Jesus demonstrated his empathy, kindness and love for us by providing relief in these accounts, there must have been multitudes the world over that continued in their suffering.

I am certain part of the answer to that is revealed in all the accounts I cited above. In every case these folks sought out the Lord for deliverance from their misery and suffering. It is precisely that suffering that drove them to seek him. While possibly not everyone may need that urgency to seek the Lord apart from a felt need for deliverance, many, many do. I suspect if I never felt the need for help myself, the Lord might be far from mind.

Paul makes an interesting comment in Romans 8:20-21, "The creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God." In God's great love for us, he has allowed things into our lives that drive us to him. His purpose is that we seek him, reach out for him and embrace him in faith. The felt need for deliverance of any kind often drives us right into his arms.

While so many measure the love of God by their many blessings in this life (and rightly so), it is not our happiness in a fulfilling life, absent challenges and hardships, and full of the pleasures and comfort we might seek for ourselves here that is God's agenda for us in this life. This life has one chief primary purpose - to populate God's kingdom. We might view this life as a "birthing room" where folks come into life and then are born again into God's kingdom. We are here to enter into his family and facilitate as many others as possible through the propagation of the gospel.

I do not believe life is all about a college education, a home in the suburbs filled with techie toys, happy children who all do well and a successful marriage. It is not about a prosperous career with advancement and a comfortable retirement. While there is nothing wrong with any of these, I believe these kinds of things are subordinated to an agenda of God that has a much higher - and loftier priority. It is pursuing that higher priority that God has allowed suffering in our lost and fallen world to continue.

While mankind carries on in his sin and rebellion, estranged from God and facing a certain judgment of eternity in hell, one of the ways God draws us to him is by allowing suffering, illness and infirmity to get us off our duffs to seek deliverance from him.

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!

If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.  

The rich man and Lazarus: what we have and what awaits - 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 today and what came to my heart and mind in Luke 16:19-21,

"There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores and longing to eat what fell from the rich man's table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores."

Here is an account of the earthly conditions of two men, one, a rich man, and the other, a poor beggar named "Lazarus". The rich man had all the best life had to offer. He wore the best in clothing and "lived in luxury every day." Lazarus, on the other hand, was a poor beggar, sickly with sores and starving. He longed "to eat what fell from the rich man's table."

What may come as a surprise is that the man with all the "blessings" life had to offer - good health, financial stability, living in luxury - was hell-bound. The poor beggarly Lazarus in his miserable condition of hunger and poor health was heaven-bound. Since Lazarus was heaven-bound, why did he have such a miserable existence in this life? Didn't God love Lazarus, since he was heaven-bound? Wasn't his destination following his departure from this life an indication that he had a favorable position with God? Why didn't God "bless" him with better health? Why didn't God heal him from his infirmities? Why was it that the rich man was so "blessed"? Why did God allow him to enjoy life here so much since he was apparently not in good standing with God, given his destination following life here?

The story of the rich man and Lazarus is an actual account of two men provided us by Jesus. Given the particulars provided and the conversation as quoted, Jesus clearly wanted us to understand this, not as a fable, but as an account of real events concerning real people.

What Jesus teaches us in this account is that in spite of what our quality of life may be here, no matter what we have been blessed with or what has been withheld from us in this life, life after death awaits us all and what we experience here is no indication of what awaits us beyond the grave. What awaits us has everything to do with the point at the end of the story. In considering those who are hell-bound, "they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead." Verse 31. Not being convinced is not having faith. Faith determines what awaits us following the grave.

Many, including those who use the Scriptures to further their own "personal empires" and build massive ministries and buildings, mislead so many with the false promise that they hold the key to God's blessings of health and wealth in this life. They teach that when God loves us and is happy with us he will heal us. When God loves us and is happy with us he will bless us financially. When God loves us and is happy with us he will remove the challenges and problems we face in this life. Apparently they never met the rich man or Lazarus.

Perhaps revisiting the account of the rich man and Lazarus might be helpful here.

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!

If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.

Heaven's Connection With Earth - 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 today and what came to my heart and mind in Luke 15:10,

"In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents."

Jesus provided a comparison parable to describe what it is like when a sinner repents by placing his faith and trust in him. Just as when a woman loses a coin and then finds it and asks her friends and neighbors to a party to celebrate and rejoice the find, so it is in heaven. Clearly, those in heaven look down upon earth in expectancy and anticipation. "Rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God" inspires such a fascination! Heaven looks on. Heaven reacts! The picture Jesus provides is not simply of a stately smile of satisfaction and approval of those in heaven to the events here on earth… it is a picture of joy and excitement! I see thrill here! I see those in heaven raising the roof!

As I think of this, it causes me to think of all heaven watching as Jesus carried on his earthly ministry. He reminds us that at any time he could have called upon the resources of heaven while here, "Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels?" Matthew 26:53. Heaven is very connected to earth. Clearly, all heaven must have been watching in anticipation. They must have watched when Jesus performed his many miracles. They must have watched his precise manipulation of events as he unfolded his offer of the kingdom to Israel. I wonder how those in heaven felt as they watched Jesus being nailed to that cross and suffer such a miserable death?

Heaven watched, heaven observed, heaven anticipated. Imagine the fascination of the angels as they witnessed, first hand, the overwhelming mercy of God in the expression of his loving kindness as he had his Son die in our place! Peter says, "Even angels long to look into these things." 1 Peter 1:12. They do not have a simple passing interest in God's redemption of mankind, but a longing to look into these things! A longing!

The focus of heaven upon the events that take place on earth is cloaked from us. We rely on what we are told and what we are told is simply amazing. Heaven watches, heaven observes, heaven anticipates, heaven reacts! When speaking of our need to humble ourselves as children, Jesus said of these children, "See that you do not look down on one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven." Matthew 18:10. The involvement of heaven with earth certainly transcends anything we are able to sense in any way.

I suspect we would all be astonished if one day our eyes were opened and we were able to witness that which we are told surrounds us in the spiritual realm as we live our lives today. I am certain I would be!

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!

If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.