DATE: 04/16/2008 08:34:20 / MOOD: Encouraging

Acts 8:32-35

"The eunuch was reading this passage of Scripture: 'He was led like a sheep to the slaughter, and as a lamb before the shearer is silent, so he did not open his mouth. In his humiliation he was deprived of justice. Who can speak of his descendants? For his life was taken from the earth.' The eunuch asked Philip, 'Tell me, please, who is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else?' Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus."

The eunuch was reading from Isaiah 53:7-8, having just returned from Jerusalem to worship, he probably felt confused by the rituals -- yet still called. So he pulled over to the side of the road and began to read Scripture. The eunuch asked of Phillip, "who is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else?." I think Phillip's response to tell him "the good news about Jesus," is the key to understanding the Old Testament -- it's all about Jesus. Bible scholars call the interpretation of Scripture -- Hermeneutics.

An example of this might be from Exodus 15:22-25. A casual reading of these verses tells the story of the Israelites' search for water in the desert for three days following the leaving of Egypt. The Israelites finally found water only to discover it was bitter; they grumbled to Moses and Moses cried out to God; the Lord showed Moses a piece of wood which he threw into the water; and the water became sweet. It's a nice piece of history that becomes poignant, meaningful, and full of application when we apply hermeneutics and look for Jesus. Here are some of my thoughts on the symbolism and application of these verses from Exodus:

* The search represents our emptiness when we look for meaning in the wrong places;

* The grumbling is our sin nature;

* Moses represents our Savior and intermediary -- Jesus;

* The three days symbolizes the three days in the tomb before Jesus' resurrection;

* The wood is the cross of Calvary;

* The water and the turning of bitterness to sweetness represent what happens to us when we are baptized.

You can probably think of even more symbolism and application as well. My point is that the Old Testament comes alive and becomes so much more than a collection of stories and historical information when we apply Jesus.

Have you ever been puzzled when reading the Old Testament? Try applying "hermeneutics" and find Jesus. What is your favorite Old Testament story? Can you find an application, prophesy, etc relating to Jesus?

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DATE: 04/16/2008 08:32:01 / MOOD: Edifying

We know we'll encounter trials in our lifetime, such as the death of a loved one, relationship conflict, or financial stress. Where do we go for comfort and help during these times? The Lord provides us with the perfect place to turn.

Hebrews chapter 4:16 tells us to "draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need." Some people avoid coming before the throne of God. They associate it with condemnation. Isaiah chapter 6:4-6 says while the place where He abides is holy, it's also full of His love, grace, and mercy.

We have access to God's throne because of our salvation. Once we accept Jesus' death as forgiveness for our sin, the heavenly Father sees us as righteous. This is why Christians can confidently draw near to Him to find love and acceptance.

The Lord delights when His children approach Him. We can expect divine grace and mercy to aid us in our difficulty. God gives us blessings and help we don't deserve through grace. He does this while keeping us from punishment we do deserve. His answer to our cry may not be exactly what we expect or hope. But, just as a loving dad would do for his child, our Father knows what we really need and will act in our best interest. The Lord is trustworthy.

When trouble comes, remember to turn to the One who understands your need and is able to help. With reverence and confidence, approach the throne of grace.

 

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DATE: 04/15/2008 09:47:38 / MOOD: Encouraging

Unless we ground ourselves in God's Word, we will tend to drift from Him. Sometimes, the results are obvious, as with a person who gradually gives in to greed and eventually finds himself addicted to gambling. In other situations, the effects are more subtle. Either way, living apart from the Lord's will grieve His heart. It prevents His wandering child from feeling fulfilled.

Only a close relationship with Jesus Christ can truly satisfy the soul's yearning. God wants His followers to have the peace, purpose, and joy that only He can provide. He often waits patiently for them to return. But if they persist, Proverbs chapter 3:12 shows that He'll eventually discipline His loved ones to bring them back to Him.

When a believer wants to end his drifting, he should acknowledge his disobedience and the distance it has put between Him and God. A believer must show genuine repentance. This includes asking forgiveness and deciding not to continue in the same pattern. Then he can resume a life of submission to God's will.

He should also readjust his priorities. The Lord must come first. A person fully submitted to God will make time to study and meditate on Scripture, correctly worship, and have fellowship with other Christians.

Thankfully, God truly is a loving heavenly Father. He longs for us to walk closely with Him. God wants us to live the abundant life that He intended, which is full of real peace, joy, love, and purpose. Ground yourself in His Word and submit to Him. Nothing else will satisfy.

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DATE: 04/12/2008 18:05:22 / MOOD: Reflective

If you want a little snapshot of what the world considers "normal," just glance at magazine covers near the grocery store checkout. You will find racks of lies, rumors, indecency, adultery, and betrayal. A movie star leaves his wife for another woman. A pop-singer mom loses custody of her children because of drug use.

Young girls are taught their self-worth is based on outward appearance. These don't sound like traditional family values, do they? But as a culture, we aren't shocked by what we see. Even worse, we enjoy it. We read articles and watch TV shows about such perversion, as if intoxicated by the "glamour" of such lifestyles. We fill our homes with a million little pictures of this distorted reality and then pack it neatly away when it's time for church. Sadly, some of us are living two separate lives. The one we show God, and the one we show the world.

Romans chapter 12:2 confronts us with this contradiction head-on. As you think about the images above, consider the words of the apostle Paul.

He said "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so you may prove what the will of God is, which is good and acceptable and perfect."

Is your home being conformed to the world, or is it being transformed by the Holy Spirit? Would others see you as a blind follower of culture's ambitions? Or would they see the "good and acceptable and perfect" will of God in your life? Be honest with yourself as you talk to the Lord today.

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DATE: 04/12/2008 17:43:22 / MOOD: Enthusiastic

Every Christian, at some point, will bear the pressure of overwhelming odds against them. Whatever the crisis that leads you to worry, you can take to heart that Christ is not absent minded about you. In fact, Jesus not o helps us to survive, but to thrive in the painful valley of crisis. This is important to acknowledge. Why? Choices have to be made. Apart from a biblical certainty, we will act out choices that will leave us vulnerable and exploited by the wiles of the devil.

Knowing the fact that Jesus Christ is our Shepherd, will keep us from over-reacting to over-whelming pressure in a superficial way. The world's answer to pain, pressure and suffering is to look for someone to blame, develop a deep desire to escape, deny the problem, or fall into depression. These are not habits we can afford to live with. Outlandish odds will press against you. This is your opportunity to grow in your awareness of God's presence and the reliability of His promises. Make no mistake about it, God makes no mistakes. He knows what he is doing to you. Jesus Is Our Anchor. Amen!

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DATE: 04/10/2008 09:45:29 / MOOD: Full of life

Can you imagine the intensity that must have filled the room when Jesus appeared to His disciples in John chapter 20:19-23? The disciples spent days in hiding. They were afraid for their lives. They were mourning the loss of their Master. So, the followers of Christ were stunned to see Him standing before them in a locked room.

If the shock of His appearance wasn't enough, think about the statement He made from John chapter 20:21. "As the Father has sent me, I also send you". The weight of that comment must have seemed overwhelming.

After years of hearing Jesus talk about His divine purpose, the disciples were given a similar commission. The Father had sent Jesus. Jesus was sending them into the world to spread the gospel. The disciples were to heal the sick, serve the needy, and bring glory to the Father.

Many Christians read that passage and think, I'm sure glad I wasn't there to receive those "marching orders." But you were. That room didn't house just the 11 remaining apostles.

Luke chapter 24:33 reveals many other followers were "with them." So in John chapter 20:21, when Jesus said, "I also send you," He was talking to the whole body of believers.

Two thousand years later, this same commission still applies to you and me. Jesus' command in Matthew 28:19 to make disciples "of all the nations" is too big a job for a handful of individuals.

It's a call for every believer, in every country, in every generation to accept the mission anew. Christ is sending you somewhere for a purpose, whether in your backyard or halfway around the globe. Are you ready to go?

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DATE: 04/09/2008 04:30:17 / MOOD: Encouraging



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DATE: 04/05/2008 09:42:22 / MOOD: Teaching

The majority of Christians today are far more inclined to their ideas and good intentions which they have exalted to the place of Scripture. This is why tolerance of ideology over theology amongst many believers is the norm and even considered spiritual. Why is this so dangerous? It is dangerous because this trend will not be reversed. It will wax worse and worse. On the stage of society; tolerance is a significant reason why it is nearly impossible to tell the difference between a Christian and a Religious Sinner. The real danger of tolerance is the elevating attitude that the Bible is an alternative means and not the absolute and exclusive means of presenting the revelation of the Lord Jesus Christ. Many are now calling the Bible a mere representation of Christ and not the REVELATION of the Lord Jesus Christ. Are you tolerating your ideas, good intentions, and your personal preferences? If so, you will find yourself mute about the convicting power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. That is very dangerous! The backlash of tolerance is seen in that many Believers are increasingly weary and faint and are seeking asylum in a state of mute. Our silence is Satan's victory. Tolerance of ideas and intentions work to weaken the Church slowly, but surely. Tolerance is not silent; it is enthusiastically vocal and fervently demanding of a split loyalty. Tolerance is nothing more than an exercise of pretension that will soon breed contention against God's demands for absolute loyalty and obedience. The only ambition worth our submission is not the pursuit of tolerance, but one of obedience. Remember: What you tolerate, you cannot change.

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DATE: 04/05/2008 09:37:42 / MOOD: Encouraging

The deception that many of us ignore or are ignorant of is the tendency of measuring our devotion to God through our service for God. True devotion to Christ is compelled by who Christ is and not merely demands to serve. Service is an outcome of devotion to God. It is quite possible to serve God without devotion to Him. However, it is impossible to be devoted to God and not serve him .

Many Christians are very discouraged because they lack a sense of accomplishment or success in their service for Christ. Success as a goal is a cruel slave master masquerading in a deep rooted and subtle display of pride. There is only one thing a Christian can succeed in: Faith in God . Faith in God acknowledges the faithfulness of the living God. Success is a finite treasure. Sanctification by the grace of God is a treasure of eternal value.

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