God loves us more than we can ever know. What Christ did for us cannot be minimized. Matt Redman tries to describe it for us here.
Be blessed!
“Bible reading as struggle”
18 hours ago
Monday, March 30, 2009
Friday, March 27, 2009
Theology Snack #7
Today, I wanted to offer the following and get your thoughts. First of all, here's Paul's words to the Church in Ephesus.
...He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. 1:4 NASB
Now on to a thought of the "50-cent" word predestination. Catch this:
If we see God's grace in Christ as the basis for our 'election' to salvation, we will not dream of looking for it in ourselves and in our superiority to other people.
- Shirley Guthrie
Guthrie goes on to say, If we understand the meaning of predestination in light of the biblical witness to God's grace in Christ, we will understand it as both a gift and a task.
Big snack today. Chew slowly and then let me hear your comments.
...He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. 1:4 NASB
Now on to a thought of the "50-cent" word predestination. Catch this:
If we see God's grace in Christ as the basis for our 'election' to salvation, we will not dream of looking for it in ourselves and in our superiority to other people.
- Shirley Guthrie
Guthrie goes on to say, If we understand the meaning of predestination in light of the biblical witness to God's grace in Christ, we will understand it as both a gift and a task.
Big snack today. Chew slowly and then let me hear your comments.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
1 Peter (cont)
"...who, according to his great mercy..." 1 Pet 1:3
Mercy is defined as not getting something one deserves. Paul writes of guilt on the behalf of all persons when it comes to sin (Romans 3:23). He also points out the result of sin is death (6:23).
When Peter begins his letter to those who have been scattered due to oppression or persecution, he takes the time to mention God's great mercy. This phrase is often glanced over quickly or forgotten about before the reader looks to other phrases later in the text.
When faced with judgment or guilt, man's tendency is to look at the opportunity for pardon. In other words, we focus on a "new birth" to which Peter speaks. We'd rather reflect on the hope in Christ rather than the truth of sin. However, isn't it true that to appreciate a new birth or hope found in Christ, one must also spend time considering his own crimes against God prior to reflecting on God's great mercy? Often times, we focus on the pardon God provides so we won't have to deal with the reality of our own guilt. Might this attitude lead to what Bonhoeffer calls "Cheap Grace"?
Any thoughts?
Mercy is defined as not getting something one deserves. Paul writes of guilt on the behalf of all persons when it comes to sin (Romans 3:23). He also points out the result of sin is death (6:23).
When Peter begins his letter to those who have been scattered due to oppression or persecution, he takes the time to mention God's great mercy. This phrase is often glanced over quickly or forgotten about before the reader looks to other phrases later in the text.
When faced with judgment or guilt, man's tendency is to look at the opportunity for pardon. In other words, we focus on a "new birth" to which Peter speaks. We'd rather reflect on the hope in Christ rather than the truth of sin. However, isn't it true that to appreciate a new birth or hope found in Christ, one must also spend time considering his own crimes against God prior to reflecting on God's great mercy? Often times, we focus on the pardon God provides so we won't have to deal with the reality of our own guilt. Might this attitude lead to what Bonhoeffer calls "Cheap Grace"?
Any thoughts?
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Recognizing God Incarnate
We begin today looking at a passage that William Barclay says, "...there are few passages in the New Testament where more of the great fundamental Christian ideas come together." The next few weeks, I plan to post on 1 Peter 1:3-5 (and hope to hear your thoughts as well).
We begin with the first affirmation of the author.
Blessed (Praise, NIV) be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ... (NASB)
The Jews recognized God in their prayer from the beginning. "Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the LORD is one!" (Deuteronomy 6:4). When Peter writes to God's chosen people residing as aliens (1:1), He implores them to remember who their God is. For the Christian in the New Testament, the difference between a Jew recognizing YHWH and to whom the Christian prays is important to note. In other words, Christians recognize not only the Father, but also the Son as being God incarnate.
This is important throughout the letter Peter pens. Any initial thoughts?
We begin with the first affirmation of the author.
Blessed (Praise, NIV) be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ... (NASB)
The Jews recognized God in their prayer from the beginning. "Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the LORD is one!" (Deuteronomy 6:4). When Peter writes to God's chosen people residing as aliens (1:1), He implores them to remember who their God is. For the Christian in the New Testament, the difference between a Jew recognizing YHWH and to whom the Christian prays is important to note. In other words, Christians recognize not only the Father, but also the Son as being God incarnate.
This is important throughout the letter Peter pens. Any initial thoughts?
Friday, March 13, 2009
Theology Snack #6
We've all heard the phrase "Let go and let God." In regards to our spiritual growth, sometimes it's tough to do exactly that. We try to overcome on our own strength. And when we fail, we try harder and harder. Check this out and pay close attention to the words.
Maybe we should let go and let God. Be Blessed!
Maybe we should let go and let God. Be Blessed!
Thursday, March 12, 2009
God's Gift To Us
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade - kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. 1 Peter 1:3-5
I've been in 1 Peter for a few days now. There's much to think about in the few verses above. What about the great mercy, new birth, and a living hope that all comes through faith?
Let's talk about these things the next few weeks. Any initial thoughts?
I've been in 1 Peter for a few days now. There's much to think about in the few verses above. What about the great mercy, new birth, and a living hope that all comes through faith?
Let's talk about these things the next few weeks. Any initial thoughts?
Monday, March 9, 2009
A Blessing
Relationships are often taken for granted. Truth is, we don't miss them until they're gone. I lost my Dad a few years ago. We disagreed on some things - many times, things that weren't all that important. But thankfully, the last few years we had the chance to reconcile some misunderstandings. I sure miss him.
If you have your Dad close, you're blessed. If something needs to be said today, don't wait until tomorrow. Listen to the words here and be blessed!
Feel free to share any thoughts.
If you have your Dad close, you're blessed. If something needs to be said today, don't wait until tomorrow. Listen to the words here and be blessed!
Feel free to share any thoughts.
Friday, March 6, 2009
Theology Snack #5
Words are intriguing. The words we choose to use in conversation or in our writings should be chosen wisely. Some words are used "loosely." For example, how many times have you heard the word "awesome" in the past year? the last week?
Another word that seems to be used frequently is the word "miracle." One might say, "I was driving on fumes for weeks. It was a miracle that I made it that far." Or maybe, "I needed sugar and caffeine bad. I went to the store and grabbed the only soft drink left. It was a miracle!" Oh really? A miracle?
In the New Testament, certain events are called powerful deeds, wonders, and signs. They were manifestations of God through Jesus the Christ. Miracles pointed to the divinity of Jesus.
Throughout the last few centuries, the term "miracle" has been hotly debated. Liberal theologians believed that there was no need to believe in miracles but to simply have faith in the history of the Church. The liberal theologian also believed equating things in Scripture with a miracle was irresponsible if not done with other ancient documents. Of course, the Orthodox had major issues with this thought.
During the last century, the conversation has moved to not whether miracles take place, but the definition of such supernatural events. In other words, does God really intervene for your favorite baseball team to win in the bottom of the ninth, allow you to drive further on fumes because of your failure to plan, or enable your addiction to sugar and caffiene by providing the last soft drink? Probably not. On the other hand, we all know God still intervenes today. Visit with a surgeon some time.
What are your thoughts about miracles? Any stories to share?
Another word that seems to be used frequently is the word "miracle." One might say, "I was driving on fumes for weeks. It was a miracle that I made it that far." Or maybe, "I needed sugar and caffeine bad. I went to the store and grabbed the only soft drink left. It was a miracle!" Oh really? A miracle?
In the New Testament, certain events are called powerful deeds, wonders, and signs. They were manifestations of God through Jesus the Christ. Miracles pointed to the divinity of Jesus.
Throughout the last few centuries, the term "miracle" has been hotly debated. Liberal theologians believed that there was no need to believe in miracles but to simply have faith in the history of the Church. The liberal theologian also believed equating things in Scripture with a miracle was irresponsible if not done with other ancient documents. Of course, the Orthodox had major issues with this thought.
During the last century, the conversation has moved to not whether miracles take place, but the definition of such supernatural events. In other words, does God really intervene for your favorite baseball team to win in the bottom of the ninth, allow you to drive further on fumes because of your failure to plan, or enable your addiction to sugar and caffiene by providing the last soft drink? Probably not. On the other hand, we all know God still intervenes today. Visit with a surgeon some time.
What are your thoughts about miracles? Any stories to share?
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Meeting God on a Mountain
Wow! It's been awhile. I helped lead a spiritual retreat for several ladies for the past week. What a great time we had. God is good.
It's good to get away every so often among believers and not be distracted by the world (even the blogosphere). Even though I missed reading some blogs I normally read and learn from, God used these days to refocus my attention on Him. I pray that He did so for the ladies as well. One of my encouragements as we were winding down was, "Continue to allow God to use these few days throughout the rest of your life."
Mountaintop experiences are huge blessings. But God expects us to eventually leave the mountaintop and live among those on the plains and even in the valleys. There are many things in life that crave our attention - some of them good, many of them bad. And diversions are something Satan continues to throw in our path. Our task is to recognize them quickly and overcome them through the power of Christ.
God moved in great ways on the mountain. But I also know He walks with me through the valley (Ps 23) and even on the dusty plains of southeast New Mexico.
Any thoughts?
It's good to get away every so often among believers and not be distracted by the world (even the blogosphere). Even though I missed reading some blogs I normally read and learn from, God used these days to refocus my attention on Him. I pray that He did so for the ladies as well. One of my encouragements as we were winding down was, "Continue to allow God to use these few days throughout the rest of your life."
Mountaintop experiences are huge blessings. But God expects us to eventually leave the mountaintop and live among those on the plains and even in the valleys. There are many things in life that crave our attention - some of them good, many of them bad. And diversions are something Satan continues to throw in our path. Our task is to recognize them quickly and overcome them through the power of Christ.
God moved in great ways on the mountain. But I also know He walks with me through the valley (Ps 23) and even on the dusty plains of southeast New Mexico.
Any thoughts?
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