Hi everyone....has anything occurred in your life lately to cause you to doubt God's goodness or feel unsure about His faithfulness? Why is such a conclusion always incorrect? How can you guard against being subject to this kind of spiritual confusion?
STUBBORN FURY AGAINST JESUS
Matt. 9:3 And some of the scribes said to themselves, "This fellow blasphemes."
To charge someone with blasphemy was truly a serious statement for ones to make in the religious culture in which Jesus ministered. But that was the outlandish accusation against Him brought by the scribes because they rejected His claim to forgive sins (Luke 5:21, Mark 2:7). They knew that forgiveness comes only from God (Isa. 42:25, Mic. 7:18-19), but because they didn't believe Jesus was God's Son, they had to conclude He was blaspheming.
Unlike the paralytic and his friends, the scribes felt no need for forgiveness-they considered themselves already righteous. They rejected Jesus' authority to forgive and further believed it wrong for someone simply to ask in faith that he or she be forgiven. For the Jewish leaders, real forgiveness came only by self-righteous and legalistic efforts to earn it.
The scribes' furious apposition to Jesus was part of a growing pattern of persecution of Him by the establishment-a situation that led to His death. The Jew themselves, ironically, were guilty of blaspheming their Messiah when they accused Him of being satanic: "He casts out the demons by the ruler of the demons" (Matt. 9:34).
Every miracle that proved who Jesus was served only to burden the hearts of the scribes and Pharisees and drive them further from belief and repentance. We can thank God for His Spirit spared us from such a condition, and pray always that our hearts remain soft toward Him.
more to come...
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
JESUS VS. DEMONS
Hi everyone....seeing the demons so obviously in fear of Christ's domination should encourage us that He is more than able to handle any situation. Have you been withholding a need from Him, not sure He cared or could do anything about it? Bring it boldly to Him today.
JESUS VS. DEMONS
Matt. 8: 28-29 When He came to the other side into the country of the Gadarenes, two men who were demon-possessed met Him....and they cried out, saying, "What business do we have with each other, Son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the time?"
Demons can attack people mentally, physically, or spiritually, they oppose true religion, promote the false, and control the occult. Intellectually, they advocate false ideologies, insanity, and masochism. Our Lord always recognized demonized people as being victims of powers beyond their control and in need of deliverance, not condemnation or exhortation.
By calling Jesus "Son of God," the demons controlling the Gadarenes men showed they knew His true identity. They recognized Him as their spiritual antagonist who had the full authority to destroy them at will. Their question "Have you come here to torment us before the time?" further recognized that there is a God-ordained schedule, not yet completed, when He will relegate them to eternal damnation. As in other subjects, the demons had a correct doctrine of last things. But such belief is mere recognition, not acceptance. James reveals that even they tremble at the consequence of unbelief: "the demons also believe, and shudder" (James 2:19).
Demons despise everything about God and His Son. Yet they can't do anything but pay Jesus the greatest deferential respect when in His presence. That supports Paul's teaching that one day at the name of Christ, "every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father" (Phil. 2:10-11).
more to come...
JESUS VS. DEMONS
Matt. 8: 28-29 When He came to the other side into the country of the Gadarenes, two men who were demon-possessed met Him....and they cried out, saying, "What business do we have with each other, Son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the time?"
Demons can attack people mentally, physically, or spiritually, they oppose true religion, promote the false, and control the occult. Intellectually, they advocate false ideologies, insanity, and masochism. Our Lord always recognized demonized people as being victims of powers beyond their control and in need of deliverance, not condemnation or exhortation.
By calling Jesus "Son of God," the demons controlling the Gadarenes men showed they knew His true identity. They recognized Him as their spiritual antagonist who had the full authority to destroy them at will. Their question "Have you come here to torment us before the time?" further recognized that there is a God-ordained schedule, not yet completed, when He will relegate them to eternal damnation. As in other subjects, the demons had a correct doctrine of last things. But such belief is mere recognition, not acceptance. James reveals that even they tremble at the consequence of unbelief: "the demons also believe, and shudder" (James 2:19).
Demons despise everything about God and His Son. Yet they can't do anything but pay Jesus the greatest deferential respect when in His presence. That supports Paul's teaching that one day at the name of Christ, "every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father" (Phil. 2:10-11).
more to come...
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
THE APOSTLES MARVEL AT JESUS' POWER
Hi everyone...pause long enough to marvel at the glory of your ever-present God. Put your feelings of awe into words of worship.
THE APOSTLES MARVEL AT JESUS' POWER
Matt. 8:17 The men were amazed, and said, "What kind of a man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?"
There are no realities more overwhelming than a glimpse of God's glory and the sense of His presence. Such occurrences make it impossible to be utterly dumbfounded before Him.
The disciples realized after Christ stilled the storm that He indeed was God standing in their boat with them. Peter displayed the same reaction of awe and terror when he briefly walked on water after his Lord did. A storm surged up and caused Peter to panic. When Jesus rescued the disciples and calmed the storm, all the disciples in the boat worshipped Him saying, "You are certainly God's Son.!" (Matt. 14:33). That is simply the proper reaction any believer should have when getting a first glimpse of the Lord's power in this world.
God's servants in Scripture had far more astounding encounters with His magnificence than we ever will, but their examples are instructive. Daniel, for example, after beholding the Almighty, remarked, "No strength was left in me, for my natural color turned to a deathly pallor" (Dan. 10:8; Isa. 6:1, 5). When the risen Christ halted Paul (Saul of Tarsus) on his way to Damascus, "he fell to the ground" (Acts 9:4).
Our daily dependence on God and sense of His presence should be no less important for us than for the prophets and apostles of old. Isaac Watt's lyrics capture this concept well:
On thee each moment we depend,
If thou withdraw we die.
O may we ne'er that God offend,
Who is forever nigh.
more to come...
THE APOSTLES MARVEL AT JESUS' POWER
Matt. 8:17 The men were amazed, and said, "What kind of a man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?"
There are no realities more overwhelming than a glimpse of God's glory and the sense of His presence. Such occurrences make it impossible to be utterly dumbfounded before Him.
The disciples realized after Christ stilled the storm that He indeed was God standing in their boat with them. Peter displayed the same reaction of awe and terror when he briefly walked on water after his Lord did. A storm surged up and caused Peter to panic. When Jesus rescued the disciples and calmed the storm, all the disciples in the boat worshipped Him saying, "You are certainly God's Son.!" (Matt. 14:33). That is simply the proper reaction any believer should have when getting a first glimpse of the Lord's power in this world.
God's servants in Scripture had far more astounding encounters with His magnificence than we ever will, but their examples are instructive. Daniel, for example, after beholding the Almighty, remarked, "No strength was left in me, for my natural color turned to a deathly pallor" (Dan. 10:8; Isa. 6:1, 5). When the risen Christ halted Paul (Saul of Tarsus) on his way to Damascus, "he fell to the ground" (Acts 9:4).
Our daily dependence on God and sense of His presence should be no less important for us than for the prophets and apostles of old. Isaac Watt's lyrics capture this concept well:
On thee each moment we depend,
If thou withdraw we die.
O may we ne'er that God offend,
Who is forever nigh.
more to come...
Friday, September 9, 2011
JESUS REBUKES THE FAITHLESS DISCIPLES
Hi everyone....when was the last time you despaired of life and safety, feeling as though there was no escape from your current situation without divine intervention? In fact, how many of these has God allowed you to live through-and to see His capable deliverance?
JESUS REBUKES THE FAITHLESS DISCIPLES
Matt. 8:26A Why are you afraid, you men of little faith?
Sometimes events seem so obvious to us, we wonder why others don't see the problems or difficulties just as clearly? During the storm the disciples wondered two things: why Jesus could ask them what was so frightening, and how He could not be afraid Himself. In the midst of chaos, any response seemed absurd. They even accused Him of insensitivity: "Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing? (Mark 4:38).
But Christ had to rebuke His men because their fear sprang from faithlessness. He basically asked them, "Haven't you been with Me long enough to see what I can do and to know you are perfectly safe? Even if you should drown, that would mean instant heaven. There's nothing to worry about." They should have remembered Psalm 89:8-9, "O Lord God of hosts, who is like You, mighty Lord? Your faithfulness also surrounds You. You rule the swelling of the sea: when it's waves rise, You still them" (cf46:1-3; 107:23-30).
For the disciples, Jesus would literally fulfill the psalms. And for believers today who are aware of His power and love, there is still no need to be afraid of anything. God will see us through the most tumultuous of life's storms because He can and will take care of His children.
more to come....
Have a restful weekend and a good worship!
JESUS REBUKES THE FAITHLESS DISCIPLES
Matt. 8:26A Why are you afraid, you men of little faith?
Sometimes events seem so obvious to us, we wonder why others don't see the problems or difficulties just as clearly? During the storm the disciples wondered two things: why Jesus could ask them what was so frightening, and how He could not be afraid Himself. In the midst of chaos, any response seemed absurd. They even accused Him of insensitivity: "Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing? (Mark 4:38).
But Christ had to rebuke His men because their fear sprang from faithlessness. He basically asked them, "Haven't you been with Me long enough to see what I can do and to know you are perfectly safe? Even if you should drown, that would mean instant heaven. There's nothing to worry about." They should have remembered Psalm 89:8-9, "O Lord God of hosts, who is like You, mighty Lord? Your faithfulness also surrounds You. You rule the swelling of the sea: when it's waves rise, You still them" (cf46:1-3; 107:23-30).
For the disciples, Jesus would literally fulfill the psalms. And for believers today who are aware of His power and love, there is still no need to be afraid of anything. God will see us through the most tumultuous of life's storms because He can and will take care of His children.
more to come....
Have a restful weekend and a good worship!
Thursday, September 8, 2011
FAITH OUT OF DESPERATION
Hi everyone....what do we forget on ordinary days, times when we feel like we can manage well enough on our own without God's help or provision? What would desperate faith look like on a typical, average day?
FAITH OUT OF DESPERATION
Matt 8:25-26A And they came to Him saying, "Save us, Lord, we are perishing!" He said to them, "Why are you afraid, you men of little faith."
Sometimes God has to bring us to a point of desperate need before He can get us to turn to Him. That's what happened to the disciples when the storm was about to swamp their boat. They had no other human solution for their emergency and had to come to Jesus with their need. If He could cleanse the lepers and heal every other sort of disease, maybe He could control nature.
Even the greatest believers in redemptive history have wavered in their faith in their most difficult circumstances. The psalmist asked, "Why do You stand afar off, O Lord? Why do You hide Yourself in times of trouble?" (Ps. 10:1; 44:22-23). Isaiah even wondered why God seemed not able to help His people: "Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of the Lord; awake as in the days of old; the generations of long ago" (Isa. 51:9). Much like the disciples on the lake, the prophet could not see why God was asleep when His people were dying.
God wants people to turn to Him especially for salvation when it's a matter of spiritual life and death. We can often get out of dire situations involving finances, health, or family relations without the Lord's direct intervention. But when it comes to spiritual salvation, there is no other resource but God. After we are saved, the Father still wants to hear from us-in that way we show we have not forgotten Him, even in desperate circumstances.
more to come...
FAITH OUT OF DESPERATION
Matt 8:25-26A And they came to Him saying, "Save us, Lord, we are perishing!" He said to them, "Why are you afraid, you men of little faith."
Sometimes God has to bring us to a point of desperate need before He can get us to turn to Him. That's what happened to the disciples when the storm was about to swamp their boat. They had no other human solution for their emergency and had to come to Jesus with their need. If He could cleanse the lepers and heal every other sort of disease, maybe He could control nature.
Even the greatest believers in redemptive history have wavered in their faith in their most difficult circumstances. The psalmist asked, "Why do You stand afar off, O Lord? Why do You hide Yourself in times of trouble?" (Ps. 10:1; 44:22-23). Isaiah even wondered why God seemed not able to help His people: "Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of the Lord; awake as in the days of old; the generations of long ago" (Isa. 51:9). Much like the disciples on the lake, the prophet could not see why God was asleep when His people were dying.
God wants people to turn to Him especially for salvation when it's a matter of spiritual life and death. We can often get out of dire situations involving finances, health, or family relations without the Lord's direct intervention. But when it comes to spiritual salvation, there is no other resource but God. After we are saved, the Father still wants to hear from us-in that way we show we have not forgotten Him, even in desperate circumstances.
more to come...
Monday, September 5, 2011
RESPONSE TO THE GREATEST SERMON
Hi everyone...think back on the many lessons taken from Jesus' Sermon on the Mount. Which struck you with new force? Which are your children in greatest need of hearing? Don't let His Word grow quiet within you.
RESPONSE TO THE GREATEST SERMON
Matt. 7:28-29 "When Jesus had finished these words, the crowd were amazed at His teaching for He was teaching them as one having authority, and not as their scribes."
The response to the best and most astounding preaching ever-the Sermon on the Mount-was itself very remarkable. Likely some among our Lord's audience that day believed in Him for salvation. But quite probably the number converted was small, affirming Jesus' assertion about the narrow gate. "there are few who find it" (Matt. 7:14).
The verb translated "were amazed" means to be struck out of oneself, or to be beside oneself with astonishment. The crowd utterly flabbergasted by the power, comprehensiveness, and extraordinary insight of Christ's words. Never had people heard such a penetrating description of true righteousness or such a relentless condemnation of self-righteousness.
Even more remarkable is the way Jesus spoke with a power ("authority") that proved and reflected His sovereignty. Unlike the Jewish teachers, who quoted the rabbis' words and additional sacred writings. He quoted only Scripture and spoke as the final authority on truth.
The Sermon on the Mount is important for everyone to hear. But the response to it must not conclude with mere amazement but real, saving faith. If we have read it and meditated upon its instructions and imperatives, we also need to move from astonishment to obedience. Such obedience entails moving from intellectual knowledge of the narrow gate and way to actually entering the gate by faith and following the way to eternal life.
more to come..
RESPONSE TO THE GREATEST SERMON
Matt. 7:28-29 "When Jesus had finished these words, the crowd were amazed at His teaching for He was teaching them as one having authority, and not as their scribes."
The response to the best and most astounding preaching ever-the Sermon on the Mount-was itself very remarkable. Likely some among our Lord's audience that day believed in Him for salvation. But quite probably the number converted was small, affirming Jesus' assertion about the narrow gate. "there are few who find it" (Matt. 7:14).
The verb translated "were amazed" means to be struck out of oneself, or to be beside oneself with astonishment. The crowd utterly flabbergasted by the power, comprehensiveness, and extraordinary insight of Christ's words. Never had people heard such a penetrating description of true righteousness or such a relentless condemnation of self-righteousness.
Even more remarkable is the way Jesus spoke with a power ("authority") that proved and reflected His sovereignty. Unlike the Jewish teachers, who quoted the rabbis' words and additional sacred writings. He quoted only Scripture and spoke as the final authority on truth.
The Sermon on the Mount is important for everyone to hear. But the response to it must not conclude with mere amazement but real, saving faith. If we have read it and meditated upon its instructions and imperatives, we also need to move from astonishment to obedience. Such obedience entails moving from intellectual knowledge of the narrow gate and way to actually entering the gate by faith and following the way to eternal life.
more to come..
Friday, September 2, 2011
NOT COUNTING THE COST
Hi everyone.....what have been some of the major costs of discipleship in your own life? How have you responded to them? Have they ultimately drawn you closer to Christ, or have you often allowed them to drive a wedge between you and the Lord?
NOT COUNTING THE COST
Matt. 8:19-20 Then a scribe came and said to Him, "Teacher, I will follow You wherever you go"..........but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head."
There is no record that the eager scribe ever counted the cost of discipleship. When considering various costs such as self-denial, homelessness, and maybe suffering, the man disappears. No doubt Christ's words struck where he was most vulnerable, and he could not overcome loyalty to himself and his comfort.
Jesus never watered down the gospel message as many evangelistic appeals do today. That only compromises God's Word and does a severe disservice to those who her such a message. The Lord, by contrast, did not mince words with the apostles. "Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves" (Matt. 10:16). And He continued that tone at the end of His ministry. "These things I have spoken to you so that you may be kept from stumbling. They will make you outcasts from the synagogue, but an hour is coming for everyone who kills you to think that he is offering service to God" (John 16:1-2). Neither did Paul waver from stern words of reminder that "all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted" (2 Tim. 3:12).
Knowing and following Jesus Christ includes thrills and joys unlike any others, but they are not the kind the world can understand or appreciate (John 14:27). Living the Christian life is not simply adding Jesus on to your own lifestyle, but it entails the renouncing of your ways for His and being ready to pay the price He may require (Matt. 16:24).
more to come...
Have a wonderful, long weekend...rest and be refreshed..and have a good worship!!
NOT COUNTING THE COST
Matt. 8:19-20 Then a scribe came and said to Him, "Teacher, I will follow You wherever you go"..........but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head."
There is no record that the eager scribe ever counted the cost of discipleship. When considering various costs such as self-denial, homelessness, and maybe suffering, the man disappears. No doubt Christ's words struck where he was most vulnerable, and he could not overcome loyalty to himself and his comfort.
Jesus never watered down the gospel message as many evangelistic appeals do today. That only compromises God's Word and does a severe disservice to those who her such a message. The Lord, by contrast, did not mince words with the apostles. "Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves" (Matt. 10:16). And He continued that tone at the end of His ministry. "These things I have spoken to you so that you may be kept from stumbling. They will make you outcasts from the synagogue, but an hour is coming for everyone who kills you to think that he is offering service to God" (John 16:1-2). Neither did Paul waver from stern words of reminder that "all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted" (2 Tim. 3:12).
Knowing and following Jesus Christ includes thrills and joys unlike any others, but they are not the kind the world can understand or appreciate (John 14:27). Living the Christian life is not simply adding Jesus on to your own lifestyle, but it entails the renouncing of your ways for His and being ready to pay the price He may require (Matt. 16:24).
more to come...
Have a wonderful, long weekend...rest and be refreshed..and have a good worship!!
Thursday, September 1, 2011
COST OF COMMITMENT
Hi everyone...are we guilty of trying to make Christian faith so attractive that we disguise its demands and difficulties? What are the logical consequences of such a tactic on those who come to Christ without counting the cost?
Matt. 8:19-20 Then a scribe came and said to Him, "Teacher, I will follow You wherever You go." Jesus said to him, "Foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head."
Superficially, Jesus' expression "The foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head" has nothing to do with the scribe's confident words. In proverbial style He simply wanted to caution the man that even though He was God's Son, His ministry did not include comfortable living-He actually had fewer amenities than some animals.
Christ wanted the scribes to assess the sincerity of his assertion. It's easy to make a bold, impressive profession of loyalty, especially if you don't first think about the cost of commitment. Early in His ministry, our Lord knew that many did not have a genuine faith. He "was not entrusting Himself to them, for He knew all men....He did not need anyone to testify concerning man, for He Himself knew what was in man" (John 2:24-25). Many committed only to the thrill of following Jesus around and seeing miracles performed, not to His Person and saving works. They were examples of the seed that had no root but fell away soon because of adversity (Matt. 13:5-6, 20-21).
Bible commentator R. C. Lenski once noted that people with eager but uncertain vows of allegiance to Christianity are like those who view "the soldiers on parade, the fine uniforms, and the glittering arms and [are] eager to join, forgetting the exhausting marches, the bloody battles, the grave, perhaps unmarked.
more to come...
Matt. 8:19-20 Then a scribe came and said to Him, "Teacher, I will follow You wherever You go." Jesus said to him, "Foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head."
Superficially, Jesus' expression "The foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head" has nothing to do with the scribe's confident words. In proverbial style He simply wanted to caution the man that even though He was God's Son, His ministry did not include comfortable living-He actually had fewer amenities than some animals.
Christ wanted the scribes to assess the sincerity of his assertion. It's easy to make a bold, impressive profession of loyalty, especially if you don't first think about the cost of commitment. Early in His ministry, our Lord knew that many did not have a genuine faith. He "was not entrusting Himself to them, for He knew all men....He did not need anyone to testify concerning man, for He Himself knew what was in man" (John 2:24-25). Many committed only to the thrill of following Jesus around and seeing miracles performed, not to His Person and saving works. They were examples of the seed that had no root but fell away soon because of adversity (Matt. 13:5-6, 20-21).
Bible commentator R. C. Lenski once noted that people with eager but uncertain vows of allegiance to Christianity are like those who view "the soldiers on parade, the fine uniforms, and the glittering arms and [are] eager to join, forgetting the exhausting marches, the bloody battles, the grave, perhaps unmarked.
more to come...
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