More bad news!
In chapter eight God is telling Isaiah some pretty bad news. Bad things are about to come to Judah because of their disobedience.
In verse twelve and thirteen God tells Isaiah something that jumped out to me as I read chapter eight. "You are not to say, 'It is a conspiracy!' In regard to all that this people call a conspiracy, And you are not to fear what they fear or be in dread of it. "It is the LORD of hosts whom you should regard as holy. And He shall be your fear, And He shall be your dread."
There's probably not a lot I can say to add to this. I think the application is easy to find.
We're living in a time in history when there is reason to be a little fearful. The economy is turned upside down. Jobs are hard to find, and things are uncertain. The culture we live in is becoming more and more corrupt. We live in a time of war (although different war from what our Grandparents would have experienced, war none the less).
I have to admit, with some of the things that have been going on in my life recently I've been experiencing moments of anxiousness and fear. So this is why this verse stood out to me.
In the NASB Isaiah is told he is not to fear what the people fear. This is simple for us then. We're not to fear the things which the people in the world fear. The way we walk through tough situations is supposed to be an example to the world. It's suppose to be one of the things that sets us apart from the world.
Paul wrote in Philippians four "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." I think of this as a command.
Do you have something to be fearful of? Are you anxious? Let your request be made know to God. Pray to God, not out of greed but out of need. The peace of God the Christian is to experience, and display, is what the world will see.
I'm still thinking about verse thirteen. Give me a few days and maybe I'll add some more thoughts on this.
It's so easy in tough times to justify doing wrong in order to get ahead, or secure the future. I've been tempted to lie on resumes, or exaggerate in interviews. In the name of being a good husband, or providing for my family should I not do whatever it takes?
Verse thirteen stands as a reminder. Regard God as holy, and you be holy also. Don't fear the things the world does, fear God. Respect and obey God.
I think if we make obedience to God our number one priority, He will see us through the tough times. He will provide for us.
Don't fear what the world fears. Love God. Obey God.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Thursday, April 9, 2009
The Next Door Neighbours
Our next door neighbours are going through some tough times. Something happened within their family that’s very public, and a little embarrassing. None of the stuff is their fault, but they’re left to pick up and move on.
I wish I knew what I should do to reach out to them.
As I was looking to God asking Him what part we’re supposed to play in the lives of our neighbours a troubling thought came to me. Kelly and I were always friendly and polite, but we never really did anything out of the ordinary to reach out to them.
We never went out of our way to get to know them. We never made real steps to build a relationship with them. I threw the football around with their boy a few times. We had them over to see Ethan and Madisyn when they were first born. But the truth is we were passive neighbours.
Had we been more aggressive in building relationships with them maybe we would better know how to display the love of Christ now. In some ways it’s a little awkward to rush over and try to “stand in the gap” now. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying we shouldn’t, it just seems more complicated. If we get involved are they thinking “you never cared about us until we became some sort of project to you”.
I don’t see anything in the Bible that says passive Christianity is the way to go. I’m confident you won’t find a single verse which even suggests we should be passive Christians.
We need to live as aggressive Christians. Maybe aggressive isn’t the best word, but do you understand what I mean? We need to act with purpose! From how we interact with our next door neighbours to how we talk to the girl behind the counter at Tim Hortons. We never know what they’re going through, or what God has planned for them in the near future.
Don’t misunderstand me, I don’t think it’s right to treat people as though they are projects either. I’m saying we need to reach out to them in genuine love. Intentionally seeking out a way to show to them the love of Christ.
I’m not going to hide my head in the sand with our neighbours because I “missed the boat”. I’m asking God to provide opportunities. I’m praying He’ll give me wisdom, which I need. I also hope this has taught me a lesson.
The people God brings into our lives are there for a purpose. Our task is to intentionally reach out and care for them.
Last night, after a meeting at the Legion, I went down stairs to the bar with some people I use to work with who have been laid off. This is something I wouldn’t normally do... and I’m not suggesting you do it either! It was a little uncomfortable. I sat with them around the table and talked about their struggles, the “old” days, and the bleak future.
I didn’t witness or preach. I tried to listen, talk, and laugh along. I hope, in some small way, this was my first step in applying the lesson I learned from my inactiveness with my next door neighbours.
I wish I knew what I should do to reach out to them.
As I was looking to God asking Him what part we’re supposed to play in the lives of our neighbours a troubling thought came to me. Kelly and I were always friendly and polite, but we never really did anything out of the ordinary to reach out to them.
We never went out of our way to get to know them. We never made real steps to build a relationship with them. I threw the football around with their boy a few times. We had them over to see Ethan and Madisyn when they were first born. But the truth is we were passive neighbours.
Had we been more aggressive in building relationships with them maybe we would better know how to display the love of Christ now. In some ways it’s a little awkward to rush over and try to “stand in the gap” now. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying we shouldn’t, it just seems more complicated. If we get involved are they thinking “you never cared about us until we became some sort of project to you”.
I don’t see anything in the Bible that says passive Christianity is the way to go. I’m confident you won’t find a single verse which even suggests we should be passive Christians.
We need to live as aggressive Christians. Maybe aggressive isn’t the best word, but do you understand what I mean? We need to act with purpose! From how we interact with our next door neighbours to how we talk to the girl behind the counter at Tim Hortons. We never know what they’re going through, or what God has planned for them in the near future.
Don’t misunderstand me, I don’t think it’s right to treat people as though they are projects either. I’m saying we need to reach out to them in genuine love. Intentionally seeking out a way to show to them the love of Christ.
I’m not going to hide my head in the sand with our neighbours because I “missed the boat”. I’m asking God to provide opportunities. I’m praying He’ll give me wisdom, which I need. I also hope this has taught me a lesson.
The people God brings into our lives are there for a purpose. Our task is to intentionally reach out and care for them.
Last night, after a meeting at the Legion, I went down stairs to the bar with some people I use to work with who have been laid off. This is something I wouldn’t normally do... and I’m not suggesting you do it either! It was a little uncomfortable. I sat with them around the table and talked about their struggles, the “old” days, and the bleak future.
I didn’t witness or preach. I tried to listen, talk, and laugh along. I hope, in some small way, this was my first step in applying the lesson I learned from my inactiveness with my next door neighbours.
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Only You
by David Crowder
Take my heart, I Lay it down
At the feet of You whose crowned
Take my life, I’m letting go
I lift it up to You who’s throned
Take my fret, take my fear
All I have, I’m leaving here
Be all my hopes, be all my dreams
Be all my delights, be my everything
And I will worship You, Lord
Only You, Lord
And I will bow down before You
Only You Lord
And It’s just You and me here now
Only You and me here now
Take my heart, I Lay it down
At the feet of You whose crowned
Take my life, I’m letting go
I lift it up to You who’s throned
Take my fret, take my fear
All I have, I’m leaving here
Be all my hopes, be all my dreams
Be all my delights, be my everything
And I will worship You, Lord
Only You, Lord
And I will bow down before You
Only You Lord
And It’s just You and me here now
Only You and me here now
Isaiah Six (Part Two)
So you’ve found yourself in the presence of Christ. Is that it? Are you a changed person? Maybe, but maybe not.
When Isaiah found himself in the presence of Christ his response is very important. We have to pay close attention to his reaction. There are three things Isaiah does which I believe are crucial for us to do if we wish to walk in the fullness of being with Christ.
First off Isaiah looks inward at himself. The holiness of Christ caused Isaiah to see how sinful he really was. With his mouth Isaiah confesses “Woe is me, for I am undone! Because I am a man of unclean lips...”. Isaiah sees himself for who he really is.
Christian, sometimes, have a tendency not to see themselves as they really are. We can think we’re not too bad, or at least better than most. Sometimes we think as long as we’re not doing the “big” sins we’re okay. Hmm, not right thinking at all.
Of course maybe it not so much we don’t see ourselves, rather we don’t understand the holiness of God the way we should. Having a right view of God, and a right view of ourselves, is extremely important.
A friend once described humbleness as "having a right view of ourselves before God". You can’t have a right view of yourself, until you have a right view of God. Once we understand God, we can see who we really are, then we tend to find ourselves humbled. So Isaiah’s first reaction was to humble himself before God, and confess he was unclean.
After that Isaiah declares “and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips”. After being in the presence of The King, the Lord of hosts Isaiah understood how wicked his fellow countrymen were.
The same is true for us. We should find ourselves recognizing how base, and wicked the world around us is. I don’t know if Isaiah thought Judah was the standard for right and wrong or not, but God’s holiness exposed how unclean they really were.
As I continue to rest in the presence of Christ, He continues to change my perception of my culture. He exposes the ways in which I have adapted, or given in. It’s then I turn to Romans 12:2 “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” Lord, please don’t let me conform to culture if it means compromising Your holiness!
It’s important to note verse seven too. After Isaiah’s confession the seraphim fly down to him with a hot coal and touches his mouth a says “Behold, this has touched your lips; Your iniquity is taken away, And your sin purged [forgiven]." Isaiah's confessions lead to forgiveness.
The third reaction we need to understand is found in verse 8. When God asks “whom shall I send” Isaiah answers “Here I am. Send me.” Like Isaiah, after we’re in the presence of Christ, we should have the desire to be involved, or to be engaged.
One of the men whom I look up to very much has told me repeatedly “you can’t just take in The Word, you have to get it out too.” If I study, study, study, but never share what I’m learning eventually I’ll clam up. We all need to find ways to serve and minister, both to the body and to the world.
Isaiah’s request for God to send him was a direct response to understanding God’s holiness, and the lack of holiness in his fellow man. The holiness of God made Isaiah desire to see the same standard in Judah. Send me, use me, let me be Your messenger.
It’s not merely enough just to read The Word of God. Coming into the presence of Christ means change. We need to do the things The Word says. It means choosing holiness. It means confessing sin, and our lack of holiness. It’s about seeing the people around us the way God sees them. It’s also about getting involved and allowing God to use us as an instrument of change.
James says “For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was.” This isn’t being in the presence of Christ. I would call this punch clock devotions!
Seek to be in the presence of Christ. When God reveals Himself to you, and shows you who you really are. Change. Be doers of The Word.
When Isaiah found himself in the presence of Christ his response is very important. We have to pay close attention to his reaction. There are three things Isaiah does which I believe are crucial for us to do if we wish to walk in the fullness of being with Christ.
First off Isaiah looks inward at himself. The holiness of Christ caused Isaiah to see how sinful he really was. With his mouth Isaiah confesses “Woe is me, for I am undone! Because I am a man of unclean lips...”. Isaiah sees himself for who he really is.
Christian, sometimes, have a tendency not to see themselves as they really are. We can think we’re not too bad, or at least better than most. Sometimes we think as long as we’re not doing the “big” sins we’re okay. Hmm, not right thinking at all.
Of course maybe it not so much we don’t see ourselves, rather we don’t understand the holiness of God the way we should. Having a right view of God, and a right view of ourselves, is extremely important.
A friend once described humbleness as "having a right view of ourselves before God". You can’t have a right view of yourself, until you have a right view of God. Once we understand God, we can see who we really are, then we tend to find ourselves humbled. So Isaiah’s first reaction was to humble himself before God, and confess he was unclean.
After that Isaiah declares “and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips”. After being in the presence of The King, the Lord of hosts Isaiah understood how wicked his fellow countrymen were.
The same is true for us. We should find ourselves recognizing how base, and wicked the world around us is. I don’t know if Isaiah thought Judah was the standard for right and wrong or not, but God’s holiness exposed how unclean they really were.
As I continue to rest in the presence of Christ, He continues to change my perception of my culture. He exposes the ways in which I have adapted, or given in. It’s then I turn to Romans 12:2 “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” Lord, please don’t let me conform to culture if it means compromising Your holiness!
It’s important to note verse seven too. After Isaiah’s confession the seraphim fly down to him with a hot coal and touches his mouth a says “Behold, this has touched your lips; Your iniquity is taken away, And your sin purged [forgiven]." Isaiah's confessions lead to forgiveness.
The third reaction we need to understand is found in verse 8. When God asks “whom shall I send” Isaiah answers “Here I am. Send me.” Like Isaiah, after we’re in the presence of Christ, we should have the desire to be involved, or to be engaged.
One of the men whom I look up to very much has told me repeatedly “you can’t just take in The Word, you have to get it out too.” If I study, study, study, but never share what I’m learning eventually I’ll clam up. We all need to find ways to serve and minister, both to the body and to the world.
Isaiah’s request for God to send him was a direct response to understanding God’s holiness, and the lack of holiness in his fellow man. The holiness of God made Isaiah desire to see the same standard in Judah. Send me, use me, let me be Your messenger.
It’s not merely enough just to read The Word of God. Coming into the presence of Christ means change. We need to do the things The Word says. It means choosing holiness. It means confessing sin, and our lack of holiness. It’s about seeing the people around us the way God sees them. It’s also about getting involved and allowing God to use us as an instrument of change.
James says “For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was.” This isn’t being in the presence of Christ. I would call this punch clock devotions!
Seek to be in the presence of Christ. When God reveals Himself to you, and shows you who you really are. Change. Be doers of The Word.
Friday, April 3, 2009
Isaiah Six (Part One)
In the first part of chapter six Isaiah writes “...I saw the Lord...”.
I thought about this for a while. Do you remember when Moses asked to see God’s Glory? God responded in Exodus 33:20 “you cannot see My Face, for no man can see Me and live.” God explains He will allow Moses to see His back.
The result was Moses’ face shone. His shinning face freaked out the people of Israel, even his brother-in-law Aaron. The people were afraid to come near him (Exodus 34:30). Later on we read Moses put a veil on his face to cover up.
So I now have a problem with the Isaiah passage! Was this the case for Isaiah? Did his face shine too? If not is the Bible contradicting?
I came up with a few possible solutions. One, either Isaiah’s face did shine, but we don’t hear about it. Two the Lord was covered (possible by one of the seraphim). Three, Isaiah saw the Lord, but it was God in the flesh, Jesus Christ.
I embarked on a quest!
My quest led me to John 12. “But although He [Christ] had done so many signs before them, they did not believe in Him, that the word of Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spoke: "Lord, who has believed our report? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?" Therefore they could not believe, because Isaiah said again: "He has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts, lest they should see with their eyes, lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, so that I should heal them." These things Isaiah said when he saw His glory and spoke of Him.” (John 12:37-41).
Did you catch it? The last line of the passage from John? “These things Isaiah said when he saw His [Christ’s] glory”. In Chapter six Isaiah is standing in the presence of God the Son, beholding His Glory.
What does Isaiah do when he’s confronted with the Glory of Christ? He confesses. “Woe is me for I am ruined” (NASB). The NKJV says it better “Woe is me for I am undone”.
There are days when I feel undone!
So here’s my thought. Isaiah was a “new man”, or at least a repentant man, just by being in the presence of Christ. When he saw Him he was instantly changed. Isaiah was instantly humbled.
I think I have the secret formula for change!!! Are you ready for it?
The formula is this; being in the presence of Christ equals change of person. Or P.O.C. = C.O.P.!
You see I believe the more I get to know Christ, the more I become like Him. The more He gets of my life, the more my life gets like His. But the first step has to be stepping into the presence of Christ.
We step into Christ’s presence by getting into His word.
One of the things I started doing a year or so ago was making one chapter of the Gospels part of my daily reading. I read a chapter from the Old Testament, one chapter from the Gospels, and one from one of the New Testament books (apart from any thing else I am studying, or preparing for). My hope is by reading through the Gospels continually I will begin to see Christ is an ever fresh perspective.
One of my best friends told me he is reading through the Gospels, and trying to picture Christ as his very own brother. He told me this was shedding a new light on the Gospels for him.
Do you want to be a new person? Do you want to be transformed? Do you want to be the person God intends you to be? It starts by coming into the presence of God through His Word.
Get your nose in The Book!
Find out who Christ is. Don't settle for someone else's perspective, views, or opinions. Get into it yourself. Get into The Word, and let the Word get into you!
Do you find it hard to keep on track, to stay... disciplined? You need a partner to help you out! Maybe I can help you find one? Let me know.
I thought about this for a while. Do you remember when Moses asked to see God’s Glory? God responded in Exodus 33:20 “you cannot see My Face, for no man can see Me and live.” God explains He will allow Moses to see His back.
The result was Moses’ face shone. His shinning face freaked out the people of Israel, even his brother-in-law Aaron. The people were afraid to come near him (Exodus 34:30). Later on we read Moses put a veil on his face to cover up.
So I now have a problem with the Isaiah passage! Was this the case for Isaiah? Did his face shine too? If not is the Bible contradicting?
I came up with a few possible solutions. One, either Isaiah’s face did shine, but we don’t hear about it. Two the Lord was covered (possible by one of the seraphim). Three, Isaiah saw the Lord, but it was God in the flesh, Jesus Christ.
I embarked on a quest!
My quest led me to John 12. “But although He [Christ] had done so many signs before them, they did not believe in Him, that the word of Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spoke: "Lord, who has believed our report? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?" Therefore they could not believe, because Isaiah said again: "He has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts, lest they should see with their eyes, lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, so that I should heal them." These things Isaiah said when he saw His glory and spoke of Him.” (John 12:37-41).
Did you catch it? The last line of the passage from John? “These things Isaiah said when he saw His [Christ’s] glory”. In Chapter six Isaiah is standing in the presence of God the Son, beholding His Glory.
What does Isaiah do when he’s confronted with the Glory of Christ? He confesses. “Woe is me for I am ruined” (NASB). The NKJV says it better “Woe is me for I am undone”.
There are days when I feel undone!
So here’s my thought. Isaiah was a “new man”, or at least a repentant man, just by being in the presence of Christ. When he saw Him he was instantly changed. Isaiah was instantly humbled.
I think I have the secret formula for change!!! Are you ready for it?
The formula is this; being in the presence of Christ equals change of person. Or P.O.C. = C.O.P.!
You see I believe the more I get to know Christ, the more I become like Him. The more He gets of my life, the more my life gets like His. But the first step has to be stepping into the presence of Christ.
We step into Christ’s presence by getting into His word.
One of the things I started doing a year or so ago was making one chapter of the Gospels part of my daily reading. I read a chapter from the Old Testament, one chapter from the Gospels, and one from one of the New Testament books (apart from any thing else I am studying, or preparing for). My hope is by reading through the Gospels continually I will begin to see Christ is an ever fresh perspective.
One of my best friends told me he is reading through the Gospels, and trying to picture Christ as his very own brother. He told me this was shedding a new light on the Gospels for him.
Do you want to be a new person? Do you want to be transformed? Do you want to be the person God intends you to be? It starts by coming into the presence of God through His Word.
Get your nose in The Book!
Find out who Christ is. Don't settle for someone else's perspective, views, or opinions. Get into it yourself. Get into The Word, and let the Word get into you!
Do you find it hard to keep on track, to stay... disciplined? You need a partner to help you out! Maybe I can help you find one? Let me know.
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