Psalms 69:5 Salmos 69:5
"Dios, tú conoces mi insensatez,
Y mis pecados no te son ocultos.” RVR 1960
“O God, You know my foolishness;
And my sins are not hidden from You.” NKJV
How painful it is to have a friend and master who knows everything, yes, everything about you--and how wonderful. There are no secrets between a man and the Creator. God does not chose a leader and then later find out he is afraid to speak. God knows all of our weaknesses, and all of our failures. And yet He still calls us--knowing what we are.
How great His mercy is for me, that He would find something in my foolishness to glorify His name. And because of this, I do want to glorify His name.
Now that I know I will be heading back to the United States--to a place where I can actually communicate with people I don’t know--I want to talk more about what my Savior has done for me.
Lord, please give me a boldness to speak the words that You give to me.
Friday, January 20, 2012
His Wonderful Works
Psalms 107:9 Salmos 107:9
"Porque sacia al alma menesterosa,
Y llena de bien al alma hambrienta." RVR 1960
“For He satisfies the longing soul,
And fills the hungry soul with goodness.” NKJV
Once we were all lost, wandering in an endless desert searching restlessly for a meaning and a purpose. But everywhere we traveled our thirst grew, our hunger gnawed violently at out insides. And all the while He was there, beckoning us to come home.
Once we begin to follow our Lord, our Savior, on His path, we do find that our longing soul is satisfied, and our hunger is replaced by goodness.
“Oh, that men would give thanks to the LORD for His goodness,
And for His wonderful works to the children of men!”
And so I, too, should give thanks. My application is to spend more time meditating and praying about what I am thankful for that the Lord has been gracious to give or to show me in my life.
"Porque sacia al alma menesterosa,
Y llena de bien al alma hambrienta." RVR 1960
“For He satisfies the longing soul,
And fills the hungry soul with goodness.” NKJV
Once we were all lost, wandering in an endless desert searching restlessly for a meaning and a purpose. But everywhere we traveled our thirst grew, our hunger gnawed violently at out insides. And all the while He was there, beckoning us to come home.
Once we begin to follow our Lord, our Savior, on His path, we do find that our longing soul is satisfied, and our hunger is replaced by goodness.
“Oh, that men would give thanks to the LORD for His goodness,
And for His wonderful works to the children of men!”
And so I, too, should give thanks. My application is to spend more time meditating and praying about what I am thankful for that the Lord has been gracious to give or to show me in my life.
Songs in a Storm
Psalm 107:28 Salmos 107:28
"Entonces claman a Jehová en su angustia,
Y los libra de sus aflicciones." RVR1960
“Then they cry out to the LORD in their trouble,
And He brings them out of their distresses.” NKJV
“Those who go down to the sea in ships,
Who do business on great waters,
They see the works of the LORD
And His wonders in the deep.
For He commands and raises the stormy wind,
Which lifts up the waves of the sea.
They mount up to the heavens,
They go down again to the depths;
Their soul melts because of trouble.
They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man,
And are at their wits’ end.
Then they cry out to the LORD in their trouble,
And He brings them out of their distresses.
He calms the storm,
So that its waves are still.” NKJV
I don’t know what else to say about this verse except that I’ve been there--quite recently. That storm came so quickly I could not comprehend it. I saw the heights of the waves and the depths and my mind was truly at it’s wits’ end.
But immediately, before anything, the problem was brought before the Lord--the God of the universe, who knew it would happen before the foundation of the world.
It is crazy for me to think of how God had my back during the whole ordeal. I don’t know if it was his amazing grace and foresight to design a shock reflex in humans, or his amazing grace for me that I did not feel any of it. He truly is good.
And He has even had me preparing for this moment ever since my first year of highschool. Throughout my teenage to adult life I’ve had migraines. These miniscule tempests used to ravage a day, leaving me on my knees shaking or in the dark praying the pain would go away. God taught a weak Christian many things through those trials.
First, that no matter how bad it was, He was always with me.
Second, that even though there was pain, and it sucked, He knew everything that was happening and He had a plan for it.
Third, that even though He knew it was happening, He wanted me to come to Him with the problem, and so I did finding out the fourth thing.
That God wants relationship.
After some time, I realized that these times of trials brought me closer to God than any other part of my life. I would lay in the dark singing whatever songs of praise I had in my memory to take my mind off the pain and put it in Christ, my faithful savior, my Lord, and my God.
One of the first songs I memorized for that purpose, the one that for some reason was always easy to find in a muddled mind, was How He Loves Us. That song took on a whole new meaning for me last Saturday.
The words of the song are as follows.
“He is jealous for me,
Loves like a hurricane, I am a tree
Bending beneath, the weight of His wind and mercy
And all of a sudden, I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by glory,
And I realize just how beautiful you are,
And how great your affections are for me.”
That day, I felt love like a hurricane and was about as powerful as a tree. Yet in the midst of the storm those afflictions truly were eclipsed--completely blocked out--by his unfathomable glory.
I feel bad when those storms come in the midst of others, because my reaction will always be to sing praise to my God and King as He has been teaching me to do for so many years. But in spite of this setback, I do wish to commit more songs to memory--in order to combat the storms that take all night to endure. God has given me this tool, and I need to make it as effective as I can.
By the end of this week I want to have one new song memorized.
Shadows -- David Crowder Band
Life is full of light and shadow
O the joy and O the sorrow
O the sorrow
And yet will He bring Dark to light
And yet will He bring Day from night
When shadows fall on us
We will not fear
We will remember
When darkness falls on us
We will not fear
We will remember
When all seems lost
When we're thrown and we're tossed
We remember the cost
We rest in Him
Shadow of the cross
"Entonces claman a Jehová en su angustia,
Y los libra de sus aflicciones." RVR1960
“Then they cry out to the LORD in their trouble,
And He brings them out of their distresses.” NKJV
“Those who go down to the sea in ships,
Who do business on great waters,
They see the works of the LORD
And His wonders in the deep.
For He commands and raises the stormy wind,
Which lifts up the waves of the sea.
They mount up to the heavens,
They go down again to the depths;
Their soul melts because of trouble.
They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man,
And are at their wits’ end.
Then they cry out to the LORD in their trouble,
And He brings them out of their distresses.
He calms the storm,
So that its waves are still.” NKJV
I don’t know what else to say about this verse except that I’ve been there--quite recently. That storm came so quickly I could not comprehend it. I saw the heights of the waves and the depths and my mind was truly at it’s wits’ end.
But immediately, before anything, the problem was brought before the Lord--the God of the universe, who knew it would happen before the foundation of the world.
It is crazy for me to think of how God had my back during the whole ordeal. I don’t know if it was his amazing grace and foresight to design a shock reflex in humans, or his amazing grace for me that I did not feel any of it. He truly is good.
And He has even had me preparing for this moment ever since my first year of highschool. Throughout my teenage to adult life I’ve had migraines. These miniscule tempests used to ravage a day, leaving me on my knees shaking or in the dark praying the pain would go away. God taught a weak Christian many things through those trials.
First, that no matter how bad it was, He was always with me.
Second, that even though there was pain, and it sucked, He knew everything that was happening and He had a plan for it.
Third, that even though He knew it was happening, He wanted me to come to Him with the problem, and so I did finding out the fourth thing.
That God wants relationship.
After some time, I realized that these times of trials brought me closer to God than any other part of my life. I would lay in the dark singing whatever songs of praise I had in my memory to take my mind off the pain and put it in Christ, my faithful savior, my Lord, and my God.
One of the first songs I memorized for that purpose, the one that for some reason was always easy to find in a muddled mind, was How He Loves Us. That song took on a whole new meaning for me last Saturday.
The words of the song are as follows.
“He is jealous for me,
Loves like a hurricane, I am a tree
Bending beneath, the weight of His wind and mercy
And all of a sudden, I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by glory,
And I realize just how beautiful you are,
And how great your affections are for me.”
That day, I felt love like a hurricane and was about as powerful as a tree. Yet in the midst of the storm those afflictions truly were eclipsed--completely blocked out--by his unfathomable glory.
I feel bad when those storms come in the midst of others, because my reaction will always be to sing praise to my God and King as He has been teaching me to do for so many years. But in spite of this setback, I do wish to commit more songs to memory--in order to combat the storms that take all night to endure. God has given me this tool, and I need to make it as effective as I can.
By the end of this week I want to have one new song memorized.
Shadows -- David Crowder Band
Life is full of light and shadow
O the joy and O the sorrow
O the sorrow
And yet will He bring Dark to light
And yet will He bring Day from night
When shadows fall on us
We will not fear
We will remember
When darkness falls on us
We will not fear
We will remember
When all seems lost
When we're thrown and we're tossed
We remember the cost
We rest in Him
Shadow of the cross
Saturday, January 7, 2012
A Day Devoted
Nehemiah 9:3 Nehemías 9:3
"y asumieron así su responsabilidad. Durante tres horas leyeron el libro de la ley del SEÑOR su Dios y en las tres horas siguientes le confesaron sus pecados y lo adoraron." NVI
"And they stood up in their place and read from the Book of the Law of the LORD their God for one-fourth of the day; and for another fourth they confessed and worshiped the LORD their God." NKJV
They came before the Lord humbly and covered with dirt. The people confessed the failings of their fathers and their own failings. Then for three hours the read the Word of God. Then for the next three hours they confessed and worshiped.
The World English Dictionary says to worship is to "treat... something as deity: to treat... something as divine and show respect by engaging in acts of prayer and devotion."
And we are blessed by being able to see the prayers they gave up to God during this event. The prayer starting in verse five and going on to the end of the chapter has a few parts. It begins with praising God and pretty much running through what is in the early scriptures. That he created the heavens and the earth, Genesis, the calling of Abram, and the journeys of the Israelites. Then they confess the sins of their fathers and His continual righteousness. Finally they end with a confession of their struggles (starting in verse 36) and the solution they found in His Word. They reaffirmed the covenant--they wanted to follow the law.
What a beautiful day for the Israelites. Truly it was a day that was blessed for it brought them back to their knees--it brought them back to God's will for their lives. What a beautiful day this would be to have in our lives. What if we could have a day like that in our lives? What would that look like?
If we could start the morning off in humility, coming to the Lord with our sins laid bear so that our pride does not push us away. What if we could spend three hours simply reading the Word--the living Word of God. And then we could spend the next three in honest prayer with God.
I used to wonder how anyone could pray for hours on end. But now as I come to know Jesus more I wonder how I ever prayed so little. It is good to note that in the Israelites' prayer 95% of it was praise and a statement of who God is. Statements of His faithfulness and goodness. If I don't have enough instances in my own life to say about His faithfulness for three hours (which I am sure I do) then I have a whole bible to turn to for more examples. Example which will no doubt be fresh in my mind considering I just read it for three hours.
The last part of the prayer is important to note as well. As the time of devotion ended they brought it back to the application--like we do in these blogs. Six hours spent with the Lord--if the experience was genuine--I can guarantee He will have convicted you of something, and He will have shown you something you can change in your life.
So what's my application. Well, I'm sure you can guess that I want to do this. Six hours is a big chunk of time to come by, but my next true day off I am going to do this.`
Encarta ® World English Dictionary © & (P) 1998-2005 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.
"y asumieron así su responsabilidad. Durante tres horas leyeron el libro de la ley del SEÑOR su Dios y en las tres horas siguientes le confesaron sus pecados y lo adoraron." NVI
"And they stood up in their place and read from the Book of the Law of the LORD their God for one-fourth of the day; and for another fourth they confessed and worshiped the LORD their God." NKJV
They came before the Lord humbly and covered with dirt. The people confessed the failings of their fathers and their own failings. Then for three hours the read the Word of God. Then for the next three hours they confessed and worshiped.
The World English Dictionary says to worship is to "treat... something as deity: to treat... something as divine and show respect by engaging in acts of prayer and devotion."
And we are blessed by being able to see the prayers they gave up to God during this event. The prayer starting in verse five and going on to the end of the chapter has a few parts. It begins with praising God and pretty much running through what is in the early scriptures. That he created the heavens and the earth, Genesis, the calling of Abram, and the journeys of the Israelites. Then they confess the sins of their fathers and His continual righteousness. Finally they end with a confession of their struggles (starting in verse 36) and the solution they found in His Word. They reaffirmed the covenant--they wanted to follow the law.
What a beautiful day for the Israelites. Truly it was a day that was blessed for it brought them back to their knees--it brought them back to God's will for their lives. What a beautiful day this would be to have in our lives. What if we could have a day like that in our lives? What would that look like?
If we could start the morning off in humility, coming to the Lord with our sins laid bear so that our pride does not push us away. What if we could spend three hours simply reading the Word--the living Word of God. And then we could spend the next three in honest prayer with God.
I used to wonder how anyone could pray for hours on end. But now as I come to know Jesus more I wonder how I ever prayed so little. It is good to note that in the Israelites' prayer 95% of it was praise and a statement of who God is. Statements of His faithfulness and goodness. If I don't have enough instances in my own life to say about His faithfulness for three hours (which I am sure I do) then I have a whole bible to turn to for more examples. Example which will no doubt be fresh in my mind considering I just read it for three hours.
The last part of the prayer is important to note as well. As the time of devotion ended they brought it back to the application--like we do in these blogs. Six hours spent with the Lord--if the experience was genuine--I can guarantee He will have convicted you of something, and He will have shown you something you can change in your life.
So what's my application. Well, I'm sure you can guess that I want to do this. Six hours is a big chunk of time to come by, but my next true day off I am going to do this.`
Encarta ® World English Dictionary © & (P) 1998-2005 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.
The Law
Nehemiah 8:9-12 Nehemías 8:9-12
"Y Nehemías el gobernador, y el sacerdote Esdras, escriba, y los levitas que hacían entender al pueblo, dijeron a todo el pueblo: Día santo es a Jehová nuestro Dios; no os entristezcáis, ni lloréis; porque todo el pueblo lloraba oyendo las palabras de la ley.
Luego les dijo: Id, comed grosuras, y bebed vino dulce, y enviad porciones a los que no tienen nada preparado; porque día santo es a nuestro Señor; no os entristezcáis, porque el gozo de Jehová es vuestra fuerza.
Los levitas, pues, hacían callar a todo el pueblo, diciendo: Callad, porque es día santo, y no os entristezcáis.
Y todo el pueblo se few a comer y a beber, y a obsequiar porciones, y a gozar de grande alegría, porque habían entendido las palabras que les habían enseñado.”
RVR 1960
“And Nehemiah, who was the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, ‘This day is holy to the LORD your God; do not mourn nor weep.’ For all the people wept, when they heard to words of the Law.
Then he said to them, ‘Go on your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.’
So the Levites quieted all the people, saying, ‘Be still, for the day is holy; do not be grieved.’ And all the people went their way to eat and drink, to send portions and rejoice greatly, because they understood the words that were declared to them.” NKJV
Upon hearing the burdensome law, the Israelites wept. The book of the law (which I am guessing was Leviticus) is long and intricate. Not to mention expensive to keep properly, and dangerous to cheat. I can understand why they would be distressed. But the Levites and the priests put everything back into perspective for them. Yeah, the law was tough, but they were serving and rejoicing in a God who just freed them from slavery once again and restored their walls and security. They were serving the God who created the world--why shouldn’t they rejoice?
I think I get into the same type of wrong mindset from time to time. I lay down, after a long day of struggling with sin and I think of all the years that could be ahead of me and I wonder if every day will be the same. Every day filled with failure. Never meeting God's best for me.
It takes the realization that I am serving such a great Master to pull me out. I should have no reason to mourn when I have the love of Jesus.
I need to spend more time in prayer, contemplating who my God and my Father is and getting to know Him more.
"Y Nehemías el gobernador, y el sacerdote Esdras, escriba, y los levitas que hacían entender al pueblo, dijeron a todo el pueblo: Día santo es a Jehová nuestro Dios; no os entristezcáis, ni lloréis; porque todo el pueblo lloraba oyendo las palabras de la ley.
Luego les dijo: Id, comed grosuras, y bebed vino dulce, y enviad porciones a los que no tienen nada preparado; porque día santo es a nuestro Señor; no os entristezcáis, porque el gozo de Jehová es vuestra fuerza.
Los levitas, pues, hacían callar a todo el pueblo, diciendo: Callad, porque es día santo, y no os entristezcáis.
Y todo el pueblo se few a comer y a beber, y a obsequiar porciones, y a gozar de grande alegría, porque habían entendido las palabras que les habían enseñado.”
RVR 1960
“And Nehemiah, who was the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, ‘This day is holy to the LORD your God; do not mourn nor weep.’ For all the people wept, when they heard to words of the Law.
Then he said to them, ‘Go on your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.’
So the Levites quieted all the people, saying, ‘Be still, for the day is holy; do not be grieved.’ And all the people went their way to eat and drink, to send portions and rejoice greatly, because they understood the words that were declared to them.” NKJV
Upon hearing the burdensome law, the Israelites wept. The book of the law (which I am guessing was Leviticus) is long and intricate. Not to mention expensive to keep properly, and dangerous to cheat. I can understand why they would be distressed. But the Levites and the priests put everything back into perspective for them. Yeah, the law was tough, but they were serving and rejoicing in a God who just freed them from slavery once again and restored their walls and security. They were serving the God who created the world--why shouldn’t they rejoice?
I think I get into the same type of wrong mindset from time to time. I lay down, after a long day of struggling with sin and I think of all the years that could be ahead of me and I wonder if every day will be the same. Every day filled with failure. Never meeting God's best for me.
It takes the realization that I am serving such a great Master to pull me out. I should have no reason to mourn when I have the love of Jesus.
I need to spend more time in prayer, contemplating who my God and my Father is and getting to know Him more.
One Focus, No Distractions
Nehemiah 6:3 Nehemías 6:3
"Así que envié unos mensajeros a decirles: «Estoy ocupado en una gran obra, y no puedo ir. Si bajara yo a reunirme con ustedes, la obra se vería interrumpida.»"
"So I sent messengers to them, saying, 'I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down. Why should the work cease while I leave it and go down to you?'" NKJV
Nehemiah said this to people who wanted to destroy him and to destroy the work the people were doing. Perhaps, by the Holy Spirit, he knew this. Perhaps not. The fact of the matter is he considered his priorities. He knew where God wanted him to be--leading the people to rebuild--and nothing aside from the will of God was going to take him away from that.
It should be the same for us. When we are blessed with the assurance that we are in God's will, we should not take that for granted. We should fight off anything that tries to deter us from that path.
This application may seem a bit of a stretch, but I need to start preparing myself physically and mentally for the next work that I feel God has called me to.
"Así que envié unos mensajeros a decirles: «Estoy ocupado en una gran obra, y no puedo ir. Si bajara yo a reunirme con ustedes, la obra se vería interrumpida.»"
"So I sent messengers to them, saying, 'I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down. Why should the work cease while I leave it and go down to you?'" NKJV
Nehemiah said this to people who wanted to destroy him and to destroy the work the people were doing. Perhaps, by the Holy Spirit, he knew this. Perhaps not. The fact of the matter is he considered his priorities. He knew where God wanted him to be--leading the people to rebuild--and nothing aside from the will of God was going to take him away from that.
It should be the same for us. When we are blessed with the assurance that we are in God's will, we should not take that for granted. We should fight off anything that tries to deter us from that path.
This application may seem a bit of a stretch, but I need to start preparing myself physically and mentally for the next work that I feel God has called me to.
Vigilance
Nehemiah 4:23 Nehemías 4:23
"Ni yo ni mis parientes y ayudantes, ni los de mi guardia personal, nos desvestíamos para nada: cada uno de nosotros se mantenía listo para la defensa." NVI
"So neither I nor my brothers nor my servants nor the men of the guard who followed me, none of us took off our clothes; each kept his weapon at his right hand." ESV
The walls were only halfway finished when the rumors of war started to come in. Several nations despised the Jews and wished to bring them to an end before they were even on their feet again. Nehemiah reminded the people often that their God was behind this, so they had nothing to fear.
Then he did what was practical and set guards in the gaps, guards everywhere. He set up an alarm system so that if they were attacked they would be able to rally to the sound of the trumpet. And every last man, even the workers, held a sword in their hand.
To top it all off, Nehemiah had them protected during all hours of the day. He told them to stay in the walls at night so that they would be ready with man power at that time as well. They were ready at all times, even while they slept, for they slept ready to fight the moment they awaken.
The response here is amazing. Fear of attack is put into the equation, but the work continued on. The only difference is that they replace the protection the wall should give with pure vigilance and manpower. What good does it do, if you construct a wall but let your defenses down while you do it?
Surely, before the wall is completed, the enemy will jump over it and stab you in the back--unless you are ready for him.
It is amazing to me how some Christians go about their lives believing that the devil does not exist. How do you defend against an enemy if you don't believe there is one there? You don't.
Nehemiah could have said to the messengers, "I don't believe you--God would not let enemies rise against us in this work" and went on about his business. But then the Arabs, the Ammonites, and the Ashdodites would have come in full force, putting Israel once again beneath their feet. At that point, in his confusion, Nehemiah might have actually turned to God and asked why. Why have you brought this terrible thing. To which God would surely say, "I warned you."
And He does warn us. He gave us the Word. The devil is the only character talked about from beginning to the end aside from God himself.
We are told and given countless examples of the ways he will attack us, and it is up to us--as it was to Nehemiah--to maintain the defense.
Nehemiah knew that God in His infinite power could easily overthrow any army that came at them without their help--nevertheless, he armed every last man to the teeth. He trusted God, but he was ready for the fight. And, ironically, that readiness is what won the battle before it even started.
1 Corinthians 10:13 says "No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it." ESV
The temptation will come, and if we are ready and defend against it, God will give us victory. Just as he did for Nehemiah.
I need to be ready for spiritual attacks in my own life--of all shapes and colors. Often times I think "Why am I not going through trials like those around me--does God know I'm not strong enough?" while an hour later I think "Why am I still struggling with this thing?" and I get disheartened because I think I'm having that struggle because I am weak. It's much different fighting that battle when I realize what it is. I need to recognize my struggles and attack them head on, knowing God is faithful, and knowing where it comes from.
"Ni yo ni mis parientes y ayudantes, ni los de mi guardia personal, nos desvestíamos para nada: cada uno de nosotros se mantenía listo para la defensa." NVI
"So neither I nor my brothers nor my servants nor the men of the guard who followed me, none of us took off our clothes; each kept his weapon at his right hand." ESV
The walls were only halfway finished when the rumors of war started to come in. Several nations despised the Jews and wished to bring them to an end before they were even on their feet again. Nehemiah reminded the people often that their God was behind this, so they had nothing to fear.
Then he did what was practical and set guards in the gaps, guards everywhere. He set up an alarm system so that if they were attacked they would be able to rally to the sound of the trumpet. And every last man, even the workers, held a sword in their hand.
To top it all off, Nehemiah had them protected during all hours of the day. He told them to stay in the walls at night so that they would be ready with man power at that time as well. They were ready at all times, even while they slept, for they slept ready to fight the moment they awaken.
The response here is amazing. Fear of attack is put into the equation, but the work continued on. The only difference is that they replace the protection the wall should give with pure vigilance and manpower. What good does it do, if you construct a wall but let your defenses down while you do it?
Surely, before the wall is completed, the enemy will jump over it and stab you in the back--unless you are ready for him.
It is amazing to me how some Christians go about their lives believing that the devil does not exist. How do you defend against an enemy if you don't believe there is one there? You don't.
Nehemiah could have said to the messengers, "I don't believe you--God would not let enemies rise against us in this work" and went on about his business. But then the Arabs, the Ammonites, and the Ashdodites would have come in full force, putting Israel once again beneath their feet. At that point, in his confusion, Nehemiah might have actually turned to God and asked why. Why have you brought this terrible thing. To which God would surely say, "I warned you."
And He does warn us. He gave us the Word. The devil is the only character talked about from beginning to the end aside from God himself.
We are told and given countless examples of the ways he will attack us, and it is up to us--as it was to Nehemiah--to maintain the defense.
Nehemiah knew that God in His infinite power could easily overthrow any army that came at them without their help--nevertheless, he armed every last man to the teeth. He trusted God, but he was ready for the fight. And, ironically, that readiness is what won the battle before it even started.
1 Corinthians 10:13 says "No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it." ESV
The temptation will come, and if we are ready and defend against it, God will give us victory. Just as he did for Nehemiah.
I need to be ready for spiritual attacks in my own life--of all shapes and colors. Often times I think "Why am I not going through trials like those around me--does God know I'm not strong enough?" while an hour later I think "Why am I still struggling with this thing?" and I get disheartened because I think I'm having that struggle because I am weak. It's much different fighting that battle when I realize what it is. I need to recognize my struggles and attack them head on, knowing God is faithful, and knowing where it comes from.
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
A Mind to Work
Nehemiah 4:6 Nehemías 4:6
"Continuamos con la reconstrucción y levantamos la muralla hasta media altura, pues el pueblo trabajó con entusiasmo."
"So we built the wall, and the entire wall was joined together up to half its height, for the people had a mind to work."
What does it mean to have a mind to work? Does it mean that their minds were focused on the work? Or, perhaps, their minds were prepared for the work, and with one accord had a goal in mind for freedom from oppression. The NVI says the people "trabajó con entusiasmo--worked with enthusiasm".
They didn't see the work as labor, they saw it as a way to freedom--a way to a better life.
It should be the same for us. All to often I see the wall under construction and not the city being built. I see the labor in front of me, instead of my eternal destiny. No matter how small or large the task, we, as Christians, should have a mind to work as the Jews of Nehemiah's day did. Because no matter what the task is, if we are doing it for the Lord, we are building our place in heaven.
Today, I'm going to set my mind to heaven as I work, contemplating the finish line and not the work still to be done before it.
"Continuamos con la reconstrucción y levantamos la muralla hasta media altura, pues el pueblo trabajó con entusiasmo."
"So we built the wall, and the entire wall was joined together up to half its height, for the people had a mind to work."
What does it mean to have a mind to work? Does it mean that their minds were focused on the work? Or, perhaps, their minds were prepared for the work, and with one accord had a goal in mind for freedom from oppression. The NVI says the people "trabajó con entusiasmo--worked with enthusiasm".
They didn't see the work as labor, they saw it as a way to freedom--a way to a better life.
It should be the same for us. All to often I see the wall under construction and not the city being built. I see the labor in front of me, instead of my eternal destiny. No matter how small or large the task, we, as Christians, should have a mind to work as the Jews of Nehemiah's day did. Because no matter what the task is, if we are doing it for the Lord, we are building our place in heaven.
Today, I'm going to set my mind to heaven as I work, contemplating the finish line and not the work still to be done before it.
¡Manos a la obra!
Nehemiah 2:18 Nehemías 2:18
"Entonces les conté cómo la bondadosa mano de Dios había estado conmigo y les relaté le que el rey me había dicho. Al oír esto, exclamaron:
--¡Manos a la obra!
Y unieron la acción a la palabra." NVI
“And I told them of the hand of my God which had been good upon me, and also of the king’s words that he had spoken to me.
So they said, ‘Let us rise up and build.’ Then they set their hands to this good work.” NKJV
So many times it is easy to get into a zombie bible reading mode. I start reading the bible stories and, well, it sounds like a lot of biblical stuff. It is very easy to read over verses like this one and not give it a second glance. Yeah, Nehemiah told them God was with him and that the king was going to help and they started to build. Wait a second though. This is right after Nehemiah springs this on them that they were even going to try to rebuild it.
In this story, from the perspective of the Jews, a faraway ethnically Jewish man--a powerful man who worked at the right hand of the king--shows up in Jerusalem with no explanation. The next day he announces to the officials, the priests and the nobles that he actually came all that way to rebuild the wall.
Not only that, but the God of Israel was backing him up on this and apparently so was a foreign king. I don’t know about you, but even if this meeting lasted for hours, that amount of strange information would have left me dumbfounded. My response would have been more along the lines of “Wait... what? I’m supposed to believe that?”
But look at the response of the people. In the NVI it says they exclaimed “Hands to the Work! (Manos a la obra)” What kind of faith they must have had!
It is striking to me how often and how prominently Nehemiah gives all glory to God in all things. Here he told them that the hand of God was upon him. For me, I would have loved to mention that, but I often--to my own dismay--feel like people will think I’m crazy for saying things like that. If I said, “Hey, God told me this” I feel like they would respond with a “So what have you been smoking lately?” at least in their hearts. I feel this way even in Christian circles, and I know it’s wrong.
I need to give God the glory He deserves in all circumstances. After all, most things I have to say won’t probably sound nearly as absurd as what Nehemiah did in this verse. And even though it was a hard pill for most people to swallow, the hand of God truly was upon him, and he trusted God to sway the hearts of the Israelites as well.
"Entonces les conté cómo la bondadosa mano de Dios había estado conmigo y les relaté le que el rey me había dicho. Al oír esto, exclamaron:
--¡Manos a la obra!
Y unieron la acción a la palabra." NVI
“And I told them of the hand of my God which had been good upon me, and also of the king’s words that he had spoken to me.
So they said, ‘Let us rise up and build.’ Then they set their hands to this good work.” NKJV
So many times it is easy to get into a zombie bible reading mode. I start reading the bible stories and, well, it sounds like a lot of biblical stuff. It is very easy to read over verses like this one and not give it a second glance. Yeah, Nehemiah told them God was with him and that the king was going to help and they started to build. Wait a second though. This is right after Nehemiah springs this on them that they were even going to try to rebuild it.
In this story, from the perspective of the Jews, a faraway ethnically Jewish man--a powerful man who worked at the right hand of the king--shows up in Jerusalem with no explanation. The next day he announces to the officials, the priests and the nobles that he actually came all that way to rebuild the wall.
Not only that, but the God of Israel was backing him up on this and apparently so was a foreign king. I don’t know about you, but even if this meeting lasted for hours, that amount of strange information would have left me dumbfounded. My response would have been more along the lines of “Wait... what? I’m supposed to believe that?”
But look at the response of the people. In the NVI it says they exclaimed “Hands to the Work! (Manos a la obra)” What kind of faith they must have had!
It is striking to me how often and how prominently Nehemiah gives all glory to God in all things. Here he told them that the hand of God was upon him. For me, I would have loved to mention that, but I often--to my own dismay--feel like people will think I’m crazy for saying things like that. If I said, “Hey, God told me this” I feel like they would respond with a “So what have you been smoking lately?” at least in their hearts. I feel this way even in Christian circles, and I know it’s wrong.
I need to give God the glory He deserves in all circumstances. After all, most things I have to say won’t probably sound nearly as absurd as what Nehemiah did in this verse. And even though it was a hard pill for most people to swallow, the hand of God truly was upon him, and he trusted God to sway the hearts of the Israelites as well.
Sunday, December 18, 2011
Humility in Prayer
Nehemiah 1:4 Nehemías 1:4
"Al escuchar esto, me senté a llorar; hice deulo por algunos días, ayuné y oré al Dios del cielo."
"So it was, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned for many days; I was fasting and praying before the God of heaven."
Nehemiah was heartbroken for his people. Hearing the news of their hardship genuinely caused him grief and suffering. He fasted and prayed, not before men, but before God.
There is something very humble in this first chapter of Nehemiah. It begins with simply his name and the fact that he’s writing this. Then he fasted and prayed no doubt silently, and without show or boast before men.
His prayer which is recorded, is also very humble. It is very respectful and exalting to God. He does not deny his own guilt, or that of his people, and then he gently begs God to remember His promise to the Isrealites.
He ends the chapter with his station, cupbearer to the king. Apparently, this is a very high position to be in at the time. Had this been written in modern times, no doubt, the author would have seen his position of power as an important tool of rhetoric. The modern author would have put his station at the beginning when introducing himself, and maybe would have added a little something of the power that job involved. But we don’t see that here. In fact, it’s kind of thrown in there in a way that makes me think that it would not have been added except that it was necessary to understand the story.
I need to be careful not to boast, and to be humble before man--but more importantly before God especially in my prayers.
"Al escuchar esto, me senté a llorar; hice deulo por algunos días, ayuné y oré al Dios del cielo."
"So it was, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned for many days; I was fasting and praying before the God of heaven."
Nehemiah was heartbroken for his people. Hearing the news of their hardship genuinely caused him grief and suffering. He fasted and prayed, not before men, but before God.
There is something very humble in this first chapter of Nehemiah. It begins with simply his name and the fact that he’s writing this. Then he fasted and prayed no doubt silently, and without show or boast before men.
His prayer which is recorded, is also very humble. It is very respectful and exalting to God. He does not deny his own guilt, or that of his people, and then he gently begs God to remember His promise to the Isrealites.
He ends the chapter with his station, cupbearer to the king. Apparently, this is a very high position to be in at the time. Had this been written in modern times, no doubt, the author would have seen his position of power as an important tool of rhetoric. The modern author would have put his station at the beginning when introducing himself, and maybe would have added a little something of the power that job involved. But we don’t see that here. In fact, it’s kind of thrown in there in a way that makes me think that it would not have been added except that it was necessary to understand the story.
I need to be careful not to boast, and to be humble before man--but more importantly before God especially in my prayers.
Sunday, December 11, 2011
What Does it Profit?
James 2:14 Santiago 2:14
"Hermanos míos, ¿de qué aprovechará si alguno dice que tiene fe, y no tiene obras? ¿Podrá la fe salvarle?" RV1960
"What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him?" NKJV
This verse is kind of a hard pill for me to swallow. We are taught, as one of our church doctrines that there is justification by faith. Why then does James ask a rhetorical question, that in context seems to imply a definite no, faith cannot save him? But then we are also told in other parts of the bible that the unfruitful branches will be cut off.
It seems to me that the result of a true personal relationship with the God and savoir of the world has only one outcome--and that is works. If you have no works then your faith is dead because the Spirit has been ignored and the relationship is either cold or non-existent. But if the relationship is alive, believe me, you will always be convicted of one area in your life and there should always be a struggle to improve one’s relationship with God by obeying the promptings of the Holy Spirit--works.
So what profit is faith without works? It profits no one. It does not profit God, who is given a representative who makes His name look bad. It does not profit man, for there is no effort to love thy neighbor. And, perhaps worst of all, it does not profit the man with faith and no works. For he then remains in a dying state, thinking himself righteous while in reality has no true communion with the Holy Spirit.
So what does this mean practically for me?
I need to make sure that my own relationship with the Father does not falter, like it has been this past week. I need to be more diligent in prayer and in the reading of my bible, all other pass times in the morning and at night come second.
"Hermanos míos, ¿de qué aprovechará si alguno dice que tiene fe, y no tiene obras? ¿Podrá la fe salvarle?" RV1960
"What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him?" NKJV
This verse is kind of a hard pill for me to swallow. We are taught, as one of our church doctrines that there is justification by faith. Why then does James ask a rhetorical question, that in context seems to imply a definite no, faith cannot save him? But then we are also told in other parts of the bible that the unfruitful branches will be cut off.
It seems to me that the result of a true personal relationship with the God and savoir of the world has only one outcome--and that is works. If you have no works then your faith is dead because the Spirit has been ignored and the relationship is either cold or non-existent. But if the relationship is alive, believe me, you will always be convicted of one area in your life and there should always be a struggle to improve one’s relationship with God by obeying the promptings of the Holy Spirit--works.
So what profit is faith without works? It profits no one. It does not profit God, who is given a representative who makes His name look bad. It does not profit man, for there is no effort to love thy neighbor. And, perhaps worst of all, it does not profit the man with faith and no works. For he then remains in a dying state, thinking himself righteous while in reality has no true communion with the Holy Spirit.
So what does this mean practically for me?
I need to make sure that my own relationship with the Father does not falter, like it has been this past week. I need to be more diligent in prayer and in the reading of my bible, all other pass times in the morning and at night come second.
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Mercy Triumphs
James 2:13 Santiago 2:13
"Porque juicio sin misericordia se hará con aquel que no hiciere misericordia; y la misericordia triunfa sobre el juicio.” RVR1960
“For judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.” NKJV
In the previous verse we are told to speak and do as those who will be judged. But why? Aren’t we freed from judgment in Christ?
This verse here starts to unpack that answer. For judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy. My mind immediately goes to the parable of the unfaithful servant (Matthew 18:21-35). In this parable there is a servant that owes his master some money. The servant begs for more time to pay off his debt, and the Master agrees. But then the servant goes out and sees someone who owes him money and demands it. This man also begs for more time, but he is not forgiven by the servant and the servant has the man thrown in jail. When the master learns of it he is furious, and I’m sure we would be too.
Often in the new testament this theme is present: you reap what you sow. In the Lord’s prayer it says “For give us our sins (or debts), for we have also forgiven those who have sinned against us.” Now James is giving us a spiritual truth. Judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy--or if you judge you will be judged.
Even though we are deserving of judgment, because we often fail to forgive or show mercy, James gives us this assurance: Mercy triumphs over judgment. Not only is mercy better than judgment, it is also more powerful and able to overthrow it.
The application to this is obvious: forgive, and show mercy--always. Because our Father always shows mercy and is faithful to forgive us.
"Porque juicio sin misericordia se hará con aquel que no hiciere misericordia; y la misericordia triunfa sobre el juicio.” RVR1960
“For judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.” NKJV
In the previous verse we are told to speak and do as those who will be judged. But why? Aren’t we freed from judgment in Christ?
This verse here starts to unpack that answer. For judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy. My mind immediately goes to the parable of the unfaithful servant (Matthew 18:21-35). In this parable there is a servant that owes his master some money. The servant begs for more time to pay off his debt, and the Master agrees. But then the servant goes out and sees someone who owes him money and demands it. This man also begs for more time, but he is not forgiven by the servant and the servant has the man thrown in jail. When the master learns of it he is furious, and I’m sure we would be too.
Often in the new testament this theme is present: you reap what you sow. In the Lord’s prayer it says “For give us our sins (or debts), for we have also forgiven those who have sinned against us.” Now James is giving us a spiritual truth. Judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy--or if you judge you will be judged.
Even though we are deserving of judgment, because we often fail to forgive or show mercy, James gives us this assurance: Mercy triumphs over judgment. Not only is mercy better than judgment, it is also more powerful and able to overthrow it.
The application to this is obvious: forgive, and show mercy--always. Because our Father always shows mercy and is faithful to forgive us.
Old Testament Application #1
Numbers 11:1-2
"1 Now the people complained about their hardships in the hearing of the LORD, and when he heard them his anger was aroused. Then fire from the LORD burned among them and consumed some of the outskirts of the camp. 2 When the people cried out to Moses, he prayed to the LORD and the fire died down."
The people of isreal complained of their hardships. It said that they did this is the hearing of the Lord.
God had promised to dwell among them and so all that they did was apparent to him. When they sinned, when they complained, when they rejoiced, was always known by Him. Sometimes they lost sight of that.
How much more should we be aware of our attitudes towards God when He promises to dwell in us?
So the Lord became angry and burned the outskirts of the camp. The way they were saved was by Moses coming to the Lord in prayer.
When I mess up and don't have my heart in the right place, I, too, need to come to the Lord in prayer.
"1 Now the people complained about their hardships in the hearing of the LORD, and when he heard them his anger was aroused. Then fire from the LORD burned among them and consumed some of the outskirts of the camp. 2 When the people cried out to Moses, he prayed to the LORD and the fire died down."
The people of isreal complained of their hardships. It said that they did this is the hearing of the Lord.
God had promised to dwell among them and so all that they did was apparent to him. When they sinned, when they complained, when they rejoiced, was always known by Him. Sometimes they lost sight of that.
How much more should we be aware of our attitudes towards God when He promises to dwell in us?
So the Lord became angry and burned the outskirts of the camp. The way they were saved was by Moses coming to the Lord in prayer.
When I mess up and don't have my heart in the right place, I, too, need to come to the Lord in prayer.
The Law and Judgment
James 2:12 Santiago 2:12
“Hablen y pórtense como quienes han de ser juzgandos por la ley que nos da libertad,” NVI
“So speak and so do as those who will be judged by the law of liberty.” NKJV
We know as Christians that whatever we do and no matter how hard we try we will never be able to achieve righteousness in God’s eye’s. What’s worse is that the sin we all have committed against God is deserving of death and eternal damnation. The miracle of grace is that we are redeemed from the penalty of the grave by the blood of Jesus, the son of God. Instead of a law that condemns we now have a ‘law that gives us liberty’ (NVI) and that is a law of mercy and love. It’s the same basic law as before, except now that the old one was fulfilled with the perfect sacrifice, we live our lives looking back toward that substitutionary atonement instead of looking forward to it. Instead of coming to the alter with a sacrificial lamb, we come to our knees and beg forgiveness though we have nothing to offer but ourselves, --but God has mercy and us and promises to forgive us again and again.
But here we are told to act as if we were to be judged by that law--a law impossible for us to keep.
So before I get into the reasoning behind this statement, how do I obey this? Here James is clearly talking about an old testament law that was there to prove our unrighteousness in the sight of God. This righteousness is impossible to attain and yet we need to strive for it. Not for the sake of saving ourselves, but because God first loved us, and we should now love Him by showing ourselves loyal.
Aside from the redemptive analogies woven into it (the animal sacrifices, the uncleanness, ect.) which was fulfilled, I need to pay close attention to the law in the old testament and find applications in my own life today.
I'm going to write down an application from the old testament for at least two times this week.
“Hablen y pórtense como quienes han de ser juzgandos por la ley que nos da libertad,” NVI
“So speak and so do as those who will be judged by the law of liberty.” NKJV
We know as Christians that whatever we do and no matter how hard we try we will never be able to achieve righteousness in God’s eye’s. What’s worse is that the sin we all have committed against God is deserving of death and eternal damnation. The miracle of grace is that we are redeemed from the penalty of the grave by the blood of Jesus, the son of God. Instead of a law that condemns we now have a ‘law that gives us liberty’ (NVI) and that is a law of mercy and love. It’s the same basic law as before, except now that the old one was fulfilled with the perfect sacrifice, we live our lives looking back toward that substitutionary atonement instead of looking forward to it. Instead of coming to the alter with a sacrificial lamb, we come to our knees and beg forgiveness though we have nothing to offer but ourselves, --but God has mercy and us and promises to forgive us again and again.
But here we are told to act as if we were to be judged by that law--a law impossible for us to keep.
So before I get into the reasoning behind this statement, how do I obey this? Here James is clearly talking about an old testament law that was there to prove our unrighteousness in the sight of God. This righteousness is impossible to attain and yet we need to strive for it. Not for the sake of saving ourselves, but because God first loved us, and we should now love Him by showing ourselves loyal.
Aside from the redemptive analogies woven into it (the animal sacrifices, the uncleanness, ect.) which was fulfilled, I need to pay close attention to the law in the old testament and find applications in my own life today.
I'm going to write down an application from the old testament for at least two times this week.
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Transgressors of the Law
James 2:10-11 Santiago 2:10-11
“Porque el que cumple con toda la ley pero falla en un solo punto ya es culpable de haberla quebrantado toda. Pues el que dijo: «No cometas adulterio», también dijo: «No mates.» Si no cometes adulterio, pero matas, ya has violado la ley.” NVI
“For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all. For he who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” Now if you do not commit adultery, but you do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law.” NKJV
I just finished reading Leviticus today. The law is extensive and very precise. In theory it seems doable but the more I read the more I knew no one would be able to hold up to that standard for long. That was where the sacrifices came in.
Now, the true sacrifice has been made and the law was fulfilled. You would think it would be easier now to obey the law the gives liberty. But at least in my life, I’ve found it impossible to obey it for long as well. We’re freed from the almost ritualistic and overbearing part of the law and given two simple commands--Love God, and Love your Neighbor--and yet we still cannot live up to that standard.
Long biblical story short, we are all sinners in need of redemption. I wish to bring glory to the name which saved my life. For now the most practical way I can think to do that is to write another newsletter of the work being done here--one that is long overdue.
“Porque el que cumple con toda la ley pero falla en un solo punto ya es culpable de haberla quebrantado toda. Pues el que dijo: «No cometas adulterio», también dijo: «No mates.» Si no cometes adulterio, pero matas, ya has violado la ley.” NVI
“For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all. For he who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” Now if you do not commit adultery, but you do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law.” NKJV
I just finished reading Leviticus today. The law is extensive and very precise. In theory it seems doable but the more I read the more I knew no one would be able to hold up to that standard for long. That was where the sacrifices came in.
Now, the true sacrifice has been made and the law was fulfilled. You would think it would be easier now to obey the law the gives liberty. But at least in my life, I’ve found it impossible to obey it for long as well. We’re freed from the almost ritualistic and overbearing part of the law and given two simple commands--Love God, and Love your Neighbor--and yet we still cannot live up to that standard.
Long biblical story short, we are all sinners in need of redemption. I wish to bring glory to the name which saved my life. For now the most practical way I can think to do that is to write another newsletter of the work being done here--one that is long overdue.
Friday, November 25, 2011
The Royal Law
James 2:8 Santiago 2:8
“Hacen muy bien si de veras cumplen la ley suprema de la Escritura: «Ana a tu prójimo como ti mismo»;” NVI
“If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you do well;” NKJV
The thing that strikes me most about this verse is that James calls this the Royal law--the law in authority over all others. When you think of it. If you can get this one law right, then all the other laws pretty much don’t matter. I mean, you’re not going to steal from yourself, covet your own things, have someone cheat on your wife, etc. Even Jesus raised this commandment as only second to “love the Lord your God.”
The irony is that I already had the application to this verse given to me this morning in prayer and the other day in exhortation. To love someone you have to get to know them, and that is what I need to do. I must love myself a lot because I seem to talk to myself a lot. Therefore, if I’m to love people as I love myself, I have to talk to them too--imagine that.
My application is to reach out to people more, to the best of my ability.
“Hacen muy bien si de veras cumplen la ley suprema de la Escritura: «Ana a tu prójimo como ti mismo»;” NVI
“If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you do well;” NKJV
The thing that strikes me most about this verse is that James calls this the Royal law--the law in authority over all others. When you think of it. If you can get this one law right, then all the other laws pretty much don’t matter. I mean, you’re not going to steal from yourself, covet your own things, have someone cheat on your wife, etc. Even Jesus raised this commandment as only second to “love the Lord your God.”
The irony is that I already had the application to this verse given to me this morning in prayer and the other day in exhortation. To love someone you have to get to know them, and that is what I need to do. I must love myself a lot because I seem to talk to myself a lot. Therefore, if I’m to love people as I love myself, I have to talk to them too--imagine that.
My application is to reach out to people more, to the best of my ability.
Thursday, November 24, 2011
I do not understand what I do
James 2:6-7 Santiago 2:6-7
“¡Pero ustedes han menospreciado al pobre! ¿No son los ricos quienes los explotan a ustedes y los arrastran ante los tribunales? ¿No son ellos los que blasfeman el buen nombre de aquel a quien ustedes pertenecen?” NVI
“But you have dishonored the poor man. Do not the rich oppress you and drag you into the courts? Do they not blaspheme that noble name by which you are called?” NKJV
This verse again reminds me of the illogic of sin sometimes. We reject those who are pure of heart because of our prejudice and open our arms to that which will cause us misery. But isn’t that the struggle of the Christian walk? I myself try to reject that word which I know logically to be true and for reasons I cannot comprehend do that which I know will cause me suffering. Why? Why do I, when I know the consequences already, continue to sin like a child with no foresight?
Paul had the same dilemma. Romans 7:15 says “I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.”
Also verses 19 and 20
“For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do--this I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.” (NIV)
This application may seem a little off topic but it makes sense in my mind. I need to get out of bed in the morning as soon as my alarm goes off and not wait even another five minutes, so that I can get straight into God’s word in the morning.
“¡Pero ustedes han menospreciado al pobre! ¿No son los ricos quienes los explotan a ustedes y los arrastran ante los tribunales? ¿No son ellos los que blasfeman el buen nombre de aquel a quien ustedes pertenecen?” NVI
“But you have dishonored the poor man. Do not the rich oppress you and drag you into the courts? Do they not blaspheme that noble name by which you are called?” NKJV
This verse again reminds me of the illogic of sin sometimes. We reject those who are pure of heart because of our prejudice and open our arms to that which will cause us misery. But isn’t that the struggle of the Christian walk? I myself try to reject that word which I know logically to be true and for reasons I cannot comprehend do that which I know will cause me suffering. Why? Why do I, when I know the consequences already, continue to sin like a child with no foresight?
Paul had the same dilemma. Romans 7:15 says “I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.”
Also verses 19 and 20
“For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do--this I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.” (NIV)
This application may seem a little off topic but it makes sense in my mind. I need to get out of bed in the morning as soon as my alarm goes off and not wait even another five minutes, so that I can get straight into God’s word in the morning.
Culture vs Truth
James 2:5 Santiago 2:5
“Escuchen, mis queridos hermanos: ¿No ha escogido Dios a los que son pobres según el mundo para que sean ricos in la fe y hereden el reino que prometió a quienes lo aman?
“Listen, my beloved brethren: Has God not chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him?”
Materialism is the most synchronized part of American Christianity. I remember reflecting back a few months ago and being appalled that our church invited Dave Ramsey to speak one night. Dave Ramsey is a powerful speaker on getting out of debt financially--which is a biblical principle. However, his methods of doing so are, unfortunately not biblical. There’s nothing inherently wrong about his methods, but his strategy is to build up treasures on Earth. For the secular would his teachings are wise, the debt in the United States is debilitating and everyone should be striving to avoid it and free themselves from it.
However, Matthew 6:19 states plainly, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth….” The poor of this world very well could be the ones being obedient to God. Those are the ones who will be rich in the next life--who are we to judge them?
I need to be more careful of syncretism in my life. I need to make sure that my beliefs are based in the Word and not in the culture I grew up in.
****Update****
Okay, so I do hear, now, that Dave Ramsey does also talk a lot about giving to the Kingdom. That’s not something I had heard from him before, and now I must take back some of what I said and/or implied about his ministry. However I decided not to rewrite this because the application is still something I want to practice.
“Escuchen, mis queridos hermanos: ¿No ha escogido Dios a los que son pobres según el mundo para que sean ricos in la fe y hereden el reino que prometió a quienes lo aman?
“Listen, my beloved brethren: Has God not chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him?”
Materialism is the most synchronized part of American Christianity. I remember reflecting back a few months ago and being appalled that our church invited Dave Ramsey to speak one night. Dave Ramsey is a powerful speaker on getting out of debt financially--which is a biblical principle. However, his methods of doing so are, unfortunately not biblical. There’s nothing inherently wrong about his methods, but his strategy is to build up treasures on Earth. For the secular would his teachings are wise, the debt in the United States is debilitating and everyone should be striving to avoid it and free themselves from it.
However, Matthew 6:19 states plainly, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth….” The poor of this world very well could be the ones being obedient to God. Those are the ones who will be rich in the next life--who are we to judge them?
I need to be more careful of syncretism in my life. I need to make sure that my beliefs are based in the Word and not in the culture I grew up in.
****Update****
Okay, so I do hear, now, that Dave Ramsey does also talk a lot about giving to the Kingdom. That’s not something I had heard from him before, and now I must take back some of what I said and/or implied about his ministry. However I decided not to rewrite this because the application is still something I want to practice.
Tie and Chain
James 2:2-4 Santiago2:2-4
“Supongamos que en el lugar donde se reúnen entra un hombre con anillo de oro y ropa elegante, y entra también un pobre desharrapado. Si atienden bien al que lleva ropa elegante y le dicen: <<Siéntese usted aquí, en este lugar cómodo>>, pero al pobre le dicen: <<Quédate ahí de pie>> o <<Siéntate en el suelo, a mis pies>>, ¿acaso no hacen discriminación entre ustedes, juzgando con malas intenciones?”
“For if there should come into your assembly a man with gold rings, in fine apparel, and there should also come in a poor man in filthy clothes, and you pay attention to one wearing the fine clothes and say to him, ‘You sit here in a good place,’ and say to the poor man, ‘You stand there,’ or, ‘Sit here at my footstool,’ have you not shown partiality among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts?”
It is hard for me to imagine this specific scenario happening in a church today. For one thing the poor and the rich are not as easily determined by clothes anymore. Wealth is more often shown in things like cars and the size of a house. And even if social class could be determined that easily, I still can’t imagine the church body responding that way. But what about if one man was dressed neatly with a tie, and another comes in with torn black clothes and gothic make up? Already, I could see the congregation judging him--myself counted among them.
I need to be careful of all my preconceived notions about people based on how they choose to dress.
“Supongamos que en el lugar donde se reúnen entra un hombre con anillo de oro y ropa elegante, y entra también un pobre desharrapado. Si atienden bien al que lleva ropa elegante y le dicen: <<Siéntese usted aquí, en este lugar cómodo>>, pero al pobre le dicen: <<Quédate ahí de pie>> o <<Siéntate en el suelo, a mis pies>>, ¿acaso no hacen discriminación entre ustedes, juzgando con malas intenciones?”
“For if there should come into your assembly a man with gold rings, in fine apparel, and there should also come in a poor man in filthy clothes, and you pay attention to one wearing the fine clothes and say to him, ‘You sit here in a good place,’ and say to the poor man, ‘You stand there,’ or, ‘Sit here at my footstool,’ have you not shown partiality among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts?”
It is hard for me to imagine this specific scenario happening in a church today. For one thing the poor and the rich are not as easily determined by clothes anymore. Wealth is more often shown in things like cars and the size of a house. And even if social class could be determined that easily, I still can’t imagine the church body responding that way. But what about if one man was dressed neatly with a tie, and another comes in with torn black clothes and gothic make up? Already, I could see the congregation judging him--myself counted among them.
I need to be careful of all my preconceived notions about people based on how they choose to dress.
Defiled Religion
James 2:1 Santiago 2:1
“Hermanos míos, la fe que tienen en nuestro glorioso Señor Jesucristo no debe dar lugar a favoritismos.” NVI
“My brethren, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with partiality.” NKJV
In the last verses James was talking about visiting widows and orphans--the outcasts of society. He said by doing this, you are showing pure and undefiled religion, not a religion that is useless. Now he is telling us to avoid partiality in the church, and the context implies in the manner of money. Evidently the church was giving good seats to the rich while degrading the spot of the poor. Perhaps this is the example of a defiled religion. We are to love all of God’s children, and how can we do that if we are blinded by the prejudice of an outcast society?
Application:
I need to be more careful of my prejudices. I think the way to start is by practicing the ‘Hope for the Best’ method Pastor G and Margret taught us, not only for people I know but for people that I meet as well.
“Hermanos míos, la fe que tienen en nuestro glorioso Señor Jesucristo no debe dar lugar a favoritismos.” NVI
“My brethren, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with partiality.” NKJV
In the last verses James was talking about visiting widows and orphans--the outcasts of society. He said by doing this, you are showing pure and undefiled religion, not a religion that is useless. Now he is telling us to avoid partiality in the church, and the context implies in the manner of money. Evidently the church was giving good seats to the rich while degrading the spot of the poor. Perhaps this is the example of a defiled religion. We are to love all of God’s children, and how can we do that if we are blinded by the prejudice of an outcast society?
Application:
I need to be more careful of my prejudices. I think the way to start is by practicing the ‘Hope for the Best’ method Pastor G and Margret taught us, not only for people I know but for people that I meet as well.
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