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Sunday, February 19, 2017
GodsView : “It’s okay!”
GodsView : “It’s okay!”: Okay is not a biblical word. Sometimes when we say something like, “Don’t worry; it’s okay,” the other person is thinking, “Funny, it d...
“It’s okay!”
Okay is not a biblical
word. Sometimes when we say something like, “Don’t worry; it’s okay,”
the other person is thinking, “Funny, it doesn’t feel that way.” It does
little to comfort the heart.
Sometimes we’re not OK. I’ve had times when, instead, I’ve felt KO’ed, which is fight jargon for “knocked out.”
My own faith in the Lord Jesus has grown through the years, and I’m grateful for the grace to trust Jesus with hardships and heartaches. But sometimes the blows rain down on us like daggers, and we may momentarily wonder if God exists or knows or cares.
Many of the heroes of Scripture had moments of darkness or despair when it seemed that nothing would ever be okay again. Consider Jeremiah’s lamentation, “My eyes fail with tears, my heart is troubled, my bile is poured on the ground” (Lamentations 2:11), or Job’s cry, “Why did I not die at birth? Why did I not perish when I came from the womb?” (Job 3:11).
When life seems to spin out of control, however, we know that God is still in control and that the Most High reigns over our affairs.
Consider this.
From head to foot, the Lord watches over all our ways every day. Dr. A. W. Tozer put it this way: “With the goodness of God to desire our highest welfare, the wisdom of God to plan it and the power of God to achieve it, what do we lack?”
Yes, according to Romans 8:28, everything will turn out okay for those who love Him. But sometimes we must weep with those who weep before we can tell them that it’s okay.
The real lesson is learning to always say okay to God. In the little book, When the Roof Caves In, Fay Goddard, a missionary with Overseas Missionary Fellowship (OMF), says that she had just returned to the Philippines following her furlough when she awoke feeling really rotten. With almost no strength, a pounding head, and a strange burning sensation on her lower spine, she was airlifted to Manila and told her she had polio.
Stunned, at 29, she’d been vigorous and strong. Now she was fitted for a wheelchair and told she would be severely handicapped the rest of her life. How did she cope?
She reaffirmed the Savior’s lordship over her life, saying she was willing to be used by Him however He chose.
She read God’s Word. His promises hadn’t changed. The grace was still there for the taking.
Fay visited a fellow missionary who had previously contracted polio in the Philippines, but who exhibited a determined and uplifting attitude.
She realized she could still minister wherever she was. During her 9 months in rehabilitation, she was aware that God had changed her mission field, putting her in the middle of a group of people whose lives had been shattered by accidents, crippling disease . . . teenage boys paralyzed or twisted in auto wrecks . . . .
Later, OMF invited Fay to join the home staff, stuffing envelopes and licking stamps. As life seemed to lose its purpose, the devil attacked her spirit.
But the Lord let her know that if He wanted her to stuff envelopes and lick stamps, that’s what she needed to do.
Fay said, “Okay, Lord” and made up her mind to obey. Within days she was given the job of producing the mission’s magazine, East Asia Millions. More than 20 years later, she’s still editing, doing layout, making it ready for printing . . . and “The joy is still there.”
You may not feel okay, but God is! Trust Him with all your heart, and learn the power of those simple words: Okay, Lord!
Sometimes we’re not OK. I’ve had times when, instead, I’ve felt KO’ed, which is fight jargon for “knocked out.”
My own faith in the Lord Jesus has grown through the years, and I’m grateful for the grace to trust Jesus with hardships and heartaches. But sometimes the blows rain down on us like daggers, and we may momentarily wonder if God exists or knows or cares.
Many of the heroes of Scripture had moments of darkness or despair when it seemed that nothing would ever be okay again. Consider Jeremiah’s lamentation, “My eyes fail with tears, my heart is troubled, my bile is poured on the ground” (Lamentations 2:11), or Job’s cry, “Why did I not die at birth? Why did I not perish when I came from the womb?” (Job 3:11).
When life seems to spin out of control, however, we know that God is still in control and that the Most High reigns over our affairs.
Consider this.
- In Matthew 10:30, Jesus told us that the heavenly Father knows the number of hairs on our heads at any given time. Experts say the average person has about 100,000 of them!
- In Job 34:21, we’re told that the Lord sees and knows each one of our steps. According to people who study these things, the average person walks about 5,000 steps each day, although 10,000 is recommended.
From head to foot, the Lord watches over all our ways every day. Dr. A. W. Tozer put it this way: “With the goodness of God to desire our highest welfare, the wisdom of God to plan it and the power of God to achieve it, what do we lack?”
Yes, according to Romans 8:28, everything will turn out okay for those who love Him. But sometimes we must weep with those who weep before we can tell them that it’s okay.
The real lesson is learning to always say okay to God. In the little book, When the Roof Caves In, Fay Goddard, a missionary with Overseas Missionary Fellowship (OMF), says that she had just returned to the Philippines following her furlough when she awoke feeling really rotten. With almost no strength, a pounding head, and a strange burning sensation on her lower spine, she was airlifted to Manila and told her she had polio.
Stunned, at 29, she’d been vigorous and strong. Now she was fitted for a wheelchair and told she would be severely handicapped the rest of her life. How did she cope?
She reaffirmed the Savior’s lordship over her life, saying she was willing to be used by Him however He chose.
She read God’s Word. His promises hadn’t changed. The grace was still there for the taking.
Fay visited a fellow missionary who had previously contracted polio in the Philippines, but who exhibited a determined and uplifting attitude.
She realized she could still minister wherever she was. During her 9 months in rehabilitation, she was aware that God had changed her mission field, putting her in the middle of a group of people whose lives had been shattered by accidents, crippling disease . . . teenage boys paralyzed or twisted in auto wrecks . . . .
Later, OMF invited Fay to join the home staff, stuffing envelopes and licking stamps. As life seemed to lose its purpose, the devil attacked her spirit.
But the Lord let her know that if He wanted her to stuff envelopes and lick stamps, that’s what she needed to do.
Fay said, “Okay, Lord” and made up her mind to obey. Within days she was given the job of producing the mission’s magazine, East Asia Millions. More than 20 years later, she’s still editing, doing layout, making it ready for printing . . . and “The joy is still there.”
You may not feel okay, but God is! Trust Him with all your heart, and learn the power of those simple words: Okay, Lord!
Sunday, February 12, 2017
GodsView : Our Urgency!!
GodsView : Our Urgency!!: As I read stories about sudden catastrophes and the damage they cause, I can’t help but think of what Jesus said in Matthew 24:37-39: “B...
Our Urgency!!
As I read stories about sudden catastrophes and the damage they
cause, I can’t help but think of what Jesus said in Matthew 24:37-39:
“But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man
be. For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking…
until the day that Noah entered the ark, and did not know until the
flood came and took them all away.”
It’s possible to be in imminent danger without any knowledge of it or sense of urgency, but delay can be deadly. The word “urgent” comes from an old Latin word meaning “to urge.” It means that an event is occurring that is so compelling it requires immediate attention. To hesitate is to be lost.
What Is Different?
Despite the urgency of our own times, people have a lackadaisical attitude toward life. Our secular society has shrugged off religious concern. Governments consistently attempt to marginalize Christianity, while large numbers of people seek other avenues to spirituality.
Meanwhile many Christians have lost the urgency of their task. I’m an advocate of Bible study, personal devotions, daily quiet times, church attendance, and Christian reading. I believe we should surround ourselves with godly friends and influences. But there’s a danger to that. We can become so comfortable in our Christian routines that we grow content and complacent.
What Has Not Changed
Death has not changed. There is still a 100 percent death rate for every generation. The Bible says, “It is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment” (Hebrews 9:27).
The urgency of salvation hasn’t changed. This is what the apostle Paul shared with Governor Felix in Acts 24. “Now as [Paul] reasoned … Felix was afraid and answered, ‘Go away for now; when I have a convenient time I will call for you’” (verse 25). But as far as we know, Felix never called.
Timothy Dwight, once said, “To procrastinate the business of salvation is the real madness… Procrastination is the thief which steals away not only our time, but our hopes, our souls, our all…. Today is the day of salvation.”[1]
The Bible says, “Seek the Lord while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near” (Isaiah 55:6).
Furthermore, Christ’s return hasn’t changed, except in one way—it’s closer now than it’s ever been. Philippians 4:5 says, “The Lord is at hand.” Jesus said, “Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming” (Matthew 24:42). Peter said, “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night” (2 Peter 3:10).
That’s why the Bible tells us to stay alert and vigilant. How would you live today if you knew Christ would return tomorrow? Let me suggest three strategies for living with a sense of urgency.
First, beware of wasting time. While we all need periods of rest, we don’t need to fritter away our time. The Bible tells us to number our days and to redeem the time (Psalm 90:12; Ephesians 5:16). Billy Graham said, “Time moves so quickly, and no matter who we are or what we have done, the time will come when our lives will be over. As Jesus said, ‘As long as it is day, we must do the work of Him who sent Me. Night is coming when no one can work.’”[2]
Second, beware of the sedative of satisfaction. Don’t get too comfortable in this world, and don’t let a settled Christian routine diminish the excitement of salvation. Ask the Lord to keep you disturbed—in a sanctified sense. Let’s say: The love of Christ compels me.
Finally, remember that the brevity of life is also your friend. It’s a comfort to know that life—with all its pressures and problems—is short. “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory” (2 Corinthians 4:17).
God’s people must always have a sense of urgency. “Stayed upon Jehovah, hearts are fully blessed, finding as He promised, perfect peace and rest.”[3]
That will never change, and we will never outlive His faithfulness.
It’s possible to be in imminent danger without any knowledge of it or sense of urgency, but delay can be deadly. The word “urgent” comes from an old Latin word meaning “to urge.” It means that an event is occurring that is so compelling it requires immediate attention. To hesitate is to be lost.
What Is Different?
Despite the urgency of our own times, people have a lackadaisical attitude toward life. Our secular society has shrugged off religious concern. Governments consistently attempt to marginalize Christianity, while large numbers of people seek other avenues to spirituality.
Meanwhile many Christians have lost the urgency of their task. I’m an advocate of Bible study, personal devotions, daily quiet times, church attendance, and Christian reading. I believe we should surround ourselves with godly friends and influences. But there’s a danger to that. We can become so comfortable in our Christian routines that we grow content and complacent.
What Has Not Changed
Death has not changed. There is still a 100 percent death rate for every generation. The Bible says, “It is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment” (Hebrews 9:27).
The urgency of salvation hasn’t changed. This is what the apostle Paul shared with Governor Felix in Acts 24. “Now as [Paul] reasoned … Felix was afraid and answered, ‘Go away for now; when I have a convenient time I will call for you’” (verse 25). But as far as we know, Felix never called.
Timothy Dwight, once said, “To procrastinate the business of salvation is the real madness… Procrastination is the thief which steals away not only our time, but our hopes, our souls, our all…. Today is the day of salvation.”[1]
The Bible says, “Seek the Lord while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near” (Isaiah 55:6).
Furthermore, Christ’s return hasn’t changed, except in one way—it’s closer now than it’s ever been. Philippians 4:5 says, “The Lord is at hand.” Jesus said, “Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming” (Matthew 24:42). Peter said, “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night” (2 Peter 3:10).
That’s why the Bible tells us to stay alert and vigilant. How would you live today if you knew Christ would return tomorrow? Let me suggest three strategies for living with a sense of urgency.
First, beware of wasting time. While we all need periods of rest, we don’t need to fritter away our time. The Bible tells us to number our days and to redeem the time (Psalm 90:12; Ephesians 5:16). Billy Graham said, “Time moves so quickly, and no matter who we are or what we have done, the time will come when our lives will be over. As Jesus said, ‘As long as it is day, we must do the work of Him who sent Me. Night is coming when no one can work.’”[2]
Second, beware of the sedative of satisfaction. Don’t get too comfortable in this world, and don’t let a settled Christian routine diminish the excitement of salvation. Ask the Lord to keep you disturbed—in a sanctified sense. Let’s say: The love of Christ compels me.
Finally, remember that the brevity of life is also your friend. It’s a comfort to know that life—with all its pressures and problems—is short. “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory” (2 Corinthians 4:17).
God’s people must always have a sense of urgency. “Stayed upon Jehovah, hearts are fully blessed, finding as He promised, perfect peace and rest.”[3]
That will never change, and we will never outlive His faithfulness.
Monday, February 6, 2017
GodsView : Nothing "Safe" About Secret Sin!
GodsView : Nothing "Safe" About Secret Sin!: Jesus' exposition of the law is a devastating blow against the lie that image is everything. Our Lord taught repeatedly that sin bot...
Nothing "Safe" About Secret Sin!
Jesus' exposition of the law is a devastating blow against the lie that image is everything.
Our Lord taught repeatedly that sin bottled up on the inside, concealed from everyone else's view, carries the very same guilt as sin that manifests itself in the worst forms of ungodly behavior. Those who hate others are as guilty as those who act out their hatred; and those who indulge in private lusts are as culpable as wanton adulterers (Matt. 5:21-30).
So Christians are not to think of secret sins as somehow less serious and more respectable than the sins everyone sees. Here are three reasons secret sin is especially abhorrent:
1. Because God sees the heart.
Scripture tells us "God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart" (1 Sam. 16:7). No sin — not even a whispered curse or a fleeting evil thought — is hidden from the view of God. In fact, if we realized that God himself is the only audience for such secret sins, we might be less inclined to write them off so lightly.
The Bible declares that God will one day judge the secrets of every heart (Rom. 2:16). He "will bring every act to judgment, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil" (Eccl. 12:14).
Not only that, secret sins will not remain secret. "The Lord [will] bring to light the things hidden in the darkness" (1 Cor. 4:5). Jesus said, "There is nothing covered up that will not be revealed, and hidden that will not be known. Accordingly, whatever you have said in the dark shall be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in the inner rooms shall be proclaimed upon the housetops" (Luke 12:2-3). Those who think they can evade shame by sinning in secret will discover one day that open disclosure of their secrets before the very throne of God is the worst shame of all.
It is folly to think we can mitigate our sin by keeping it secret. It is double folly to tell ourselves that we are better than others because we sin in private rather than in public. And it is the very height of folly to convince ourselves that we can get away with sin by covering it up. "He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper" (Prov. 28:13).
All sin is an assault against our holy God, whether it is done in public or in secret. And God, who beholds even the innermost secrets of the heart, sees our sin clearly, no matter how well we think we have covered it.
2. Because sin in the mind is a fruit of the same moral defect that produces deeds of sin.
When Jesus said hatred carries the same kind of guilt as murder, and lust is the very essence of adultery, He was not suggesting that there is no difference in degree between sin that takes place in the mind and sin that is acted out. Scripture does not teach that all sins are of equal enormity.
That some sins are worse than others is both patently obvious and thoroughly biblical. Scripture plainly teaches this, for example, when it tells us the sin of Judas was greater than the sin of Pilate (John 19:11).
But in His Sermon on the Mount Jesus was pointing out that anger arises from the same moral defect as murder; and the one who lusts suffers from the same character flaw as the adulterer. Furthermore, those who engage in thought — sins are guilty of violating the same moral precepts as those who commit acts of murder and adultery.
In other words, secret sins of the heart are morally tantamount to the worst kind of evil deeds — even if they are sins of a lesser degree. The lustful person has no right to feel morally superior to a wanton fornicator. The fact that she indulges in lust is proof she is capable of immoral acts as well. The fact that he hates his brother shows that he has murder lurking in his heart.
Christ was teaching us to view our own secret sins with the same moral revulsion we feel for wanton acts of public sin.
3. Because hidden sin involves the compounding sin of hypocrisy.
Those who sin secretly actually intensify their guilt, because they add the sin of hypocrisy to their offense. Hypocrisy is a grave sin in its own right. It also produces an especially debilitating kind of guilt, because by definition hypocrisy entails the concealing of sin. And the only remedy for any kind of sin involves uncovering our guilt through sincere confession.
Hypocrisy therefore permeates the soul with a predisposition against genuine repentance. That is why Jesus referred to hypocrisy as "the leaven of the Pharisees" (Luke 12:1).
Hypocrisy also works directly against the conscience. There's no way to be hypocritical without searing the conscience. So hypocrisy inevitably makes way for the most vile, soul-coloring, character-damaging secret sins. Thus hypocrisy compounds itself, just like leaven.
Beware that sort of leaven.
No matter who suggests to you that appearances are everything, don't buy that lie.
As a matter of fact, your secret life is the real litmus test of your character: "As he thinks within himself, so he is" (Prov. 23:7). Do you want to know who you really are? Take a hard look at your private life — especially your innermost thoughts. Gaze into the mirror of God's Word, and allow it to disclose and correct the real thoughts and motives of your heart.
Our Lord taught repeatedly that sin bottled up on the inside, concealed from everyone else's view, carries the very same guilt as sin that manifests itself in the worst forms of ungodly behavior. Those who hate others are as guilty as those who act out their hatred; and those who indulge in private lusts are as culpable as wanton adulterers (Matt. 5:21-30).
So Christians are not to think of secret sins as somehow less serious and more respectable than the sins everyone sees. Here are three reasons secret sin is especially abhorrent:
1. Because God sees the heart.
Scripture tells us "God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart" (1 Sam. 16:7). No sin — not even a whispered curse or a fleeting evil thought — is hidden from the view of God. In fact, if we realized that God himself is the only audience for such secret sins, we might be less inclined to write them off so lightly.
The Bible declares that God will one day judge the secrets of every heart (Rom. 2:16). He "will bring every act to judgment, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil" (Eccl. 12:14).
Not only that, secret sins will not remain secret. "The Lord [will] bring to light the things hidden in the darkness" (1 Cor. 4:5). Jesus said, "There is nothing covered up that will not be revealed, and hidden that will not be known. Accordingly, whatever you have said in the dark shall be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in the inner rooms shall be proclaimed upon the housetops" (Luke 12:2-3). Those who think they can evade shame by sinning in secret will discover one day that open disclosure of their secrets before the very throne of God is the worst shame of all.
It is folly to think we can mitigate our sin by keeping it secret. It is double folly to tell ourselves that we are better than others because we sin in private rather than in public. And it is the very height of folly to convince ourselves that we can get away with sin by covering it up. "He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper" (Prov. 28:13).
All sin is an assault against our holy God, whether it is done in public or in secret. And God, who beholds even the innermost secrets of the heart, sees our sin clearly, no matter how well we think we have covered it.
2. Because sin in the mind is a fruit of the same moral defect that produces deeds of sin.
When Jesus said hatred carries the same kind of guilt as murder, and lust is the very essence of adultery, He was not suggesting that there is no difference in degree between sin that takes place in the mind and sin that is acted out. Scripture does not teach that all sins are of equal enormity.
That some sins are worse than others is both patently obvious and thoroughly biblical. Scripture plainly teaches this, for example, when it tells us the sin of Judas was greater than the sin of Pilate (John 19:11).
But in His Sermon on the Mount Jesus was pointing out that anger arises from the same moral defect as murder; and the one who lusts suffers from the same character flaw as the adulterer. Furthermore, those who engage in thought — sins are guilty of violating the same moral precepts as those who commit acts of murder and adultery.
In other words, secret sins of the heart are morally tantamount to the worst kind of evil deeds — even if they are sins of a lesser degree. The lustful person has no right to feel morally superior to a wanton fornicator. The fact that she indulges in lust is proof she is capable of immoral acts as well. The fact that he hates his brother shows that he has murder lurking in his heart.
Christ was teaching us to view our own secret sins with the same moral revulsion we feel for wanton acts of public sin.
3. Because hidden sin involves the compounding sin of hypocrisy.
Those who sin secretly actually intensify their guilt, because they add the sin of hypocrisy to their offense. Hypocrisy is a grave sin in its own right. It also produces an especially debilitating kind of guilt, because by definition hypocrisy entails the concealing of sin. And the only remedy for any kind of sin involves uncovering our guilt through sincere confession.
Hypocrisy therefore permeates the soul with a predisposition against genuine repentance. That is why Jesus referred to hypocrisy as "the leaven of the Pharisees" (Luke 12:1).
Hypocrisy also works directly against the conscience. There's no way to be hypocritical without searing the conscience. So hypocrisy inevitably makes way for the most vile, soul-coloring, character-damaging secret sins. Thus hypocrisy compounds itself, just like leaven.
Beware that sort of leaven.
No matter who suggests to you that appearances are everything, don't buy that lie.
As a matter of fact, your secret life is the real litmus test of your character: "As he thinks within himself, so he is" (Prov. 23:7). Do you want to know who you really are? Take a hard look at your private life — especially your innermost thoughts. Gaze into the mirror of God's Word, and allow it to disclose and correct the real thoughts and motives of your heart.
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