 |
|
| |
1:4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world, to be holy and blameless in his sight.
It feels so good to be chosen, doesn’t it? Forming pickup sports teams as a kid, I remember how good it felt to be chosen, and the earlier the better (to be thought of as a good player)! I also remember how good it felt to be chosen to play first trumpet in band, back in junior high school, and starting third baseman in little league. It also feels good to be chosen for special assignments at work, or important responsibilities at church. It felt really great to be chosen by my wife to receive her romantic attention, back before we were married. It just feels great to be chosen! It says there’s something special about me!
To be chosen by God is a similar feeling, only about a million times greater!! And talk about the earlier the better, how about before the creation of the world!
This morning, I was thinking about his having chosen me. Really thinking about it. As I did so, my heart leaped and my eyes teared—oh it feels GOOD to be chosen, to be seen as special, by One so great!!!
Forget about the old Calvinist/Arminian debates. For the moment, it doesn’t matter whether you or I chose God. Even if we do have a responsibility to choose him, it’s still a fact that he chose us!
And another thing. Being chosen by people, in this world, there is always some qualification or merit needed by us, in order to be chosen over other people. Do we ever get the sense that God chose us over others?
If you’re feeling unwanted because you never get chosen for anything… If you’re aching to be chosen by someone, anyone, for anything at all… Take heart! You have! And by no less than God himself! (Think about this!!!)
PS… (And an important PS, too.) Not only did he choose us, he also dressed us up in the finest garments the universe has to offer! We’re told he chose us to be holy and blameless in his sight (clothed in Christ—Gal. 3:26-27). That’s perfect, pure, spotless, and clean! In HIS eyes, not ours! So quit lookin’ at yourself, and look to the One who chose you and dressed you!!!
|
| |
| |
I've learned a thing or two about evangelism in my lifetime. And one thing I've learned is, the kingdom of heaven isn't hinging on whether or not I go out and witness to strangers, or even friends. In fact, sometimes, my witnessing can actually be counter-productive! We've all heard Jesus' marching orders at the end of the Gospel of Mark, 16:15 And he said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to the whole creation. Unfortunately, many Christians get the idea that witnessing is compulsory, non-elective, a sacred duty. Like, the whole point of our faith is to go door to door as soon as we can work up the nerve. Frankly, I'm a little weary of feeling guilty because I don't do street corner evangelism. Hey, some people just weren't cut out for that sort of thing. This may draw some critical responses, but that's what experience seems to have taught me. Our Christian neighbors (of the charismatic persuasion) who live next door told us of a time when they invited some other neighbors over for dinner, in an attempt to witness to them. Well, after a nice meal and much pleasant conversation, they lowered the boom on 'em. And totally soured the relationships ever since. In fact, we can hardly get the folks they witnessed to to talk to us now either, since they found out we too were Christians. Another time, I thought I perceived the Holy Spirit prompting me to share Christ with a very worldly guy who would occasionally drop into our singles volleyball/prayer ministry. After that, he never returned. Sober that is. Sad thing was, I could have easily befriended him first. But I was more interested in keeping a clean conscience with God and fulfilling my evangelism requirement. I'm afraid there are thousands, maybe millions of stories just like these, from well-meaning Christians who think that if they don't actively pursue witnessing, they're living in a state of sin. Sorry, but when Jesus says "my yoke is easy and my burden is light", I don't think he's secretly plotting how to get Mr Christian Introvert to voluntarily go out into the midst of wolves. A couple of days ago I was at our bank, getting pre-approved for a loan. I had a delightful conversation with the servicing agent, which at some point turned personal. I ended up mentioning faith and inviting her to church (an invitation she accepted). The whole exchange was so natural. To me, this was a demonstration that sharing Jesus is easy when he's already overflowing from you. So I'm done feeling guilty. Instead, I'm relishing the joy of this relationship with God, and hoping that the overflow continues to find its way into the consciousness of those around me. Witnessing can be easy, when the point isn't the witnessing.
|
| |
| |
A lot of people on MyChurch and other websites use fictitious names (nicknames, made-up screen names, etc.) when they interact with others, as opposed to their real names. (Maybe you too?) Being anonymous (which literally means, without a name) means we can’t be known—well, at least not fully. There are a variety of reasons why people do this, some good (personal security) and some not so good (mischief). How well can you get to know someone who has withheld their name from you? Does anonymity present an obstacle to intimacy?
I happen to love names, so I admit my bias. I feel as though learning someone’s name shows an interest in knowing them, while the giving of their name to me shows interest in being known. It’s fun to greet people by name a week or so after meeting them and seeing the look of surprise at their name being remembered! it can mean a lot to someone when their name is remembered, after all a person’s name is a HUGE part of their identity! (Don't believe it? Imagine the shock of learning that a close friend had never given you their real name!)
Well, it turns out names are important to God too! Yes, he really knows each one of us!!
12:1 But at that time your people—everyone whose name is found written in the book—will be delivered.
Jesus also said:
10:20 However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven."
And...
10:3 He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.
But perhaps best of all, God himself is not anonymous! God has given his name because he wants to be known!! The name of the LORD is revealed numerous times to numerous people throughout scripture. His people KNOW his name, and they KNOW him!
32:3 I will proclaim the name of the LORD. Oh, praise the greatness of our God!
(Hallelujah, can you believe the greatness of this???)
Names are really important!! So tell me, what’s your name?
|
| |
| |
This morning, as I finished my study of the book of Daniel, I read the following in the commentator's wrap-up:
"Like Daniel (in Babylon) and Joseph (in Egypt), we live in an alien culture with people whose thinking, values, actions, and goals are totally different from and opposed to that of God's people (us)." (Warren Wiersbe, Be Resolute)
Reminds me of Peter's admonition --
2:11 Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.
Aliens. Like Martians living on earth!! TOTALLY different from the world in which we reside! Yet completely immersed in a culture that is contrary to what the Lord wants for and from us! We are literally bombarded nonstop with temptations to devalue God and turn our backs on him. And we often do. For example, whenever we become like the people around us.
We are literally awash in temptation. Temptation to act and think in ways that please us but not God. These temptations come from spiritual sources (devil/demons), yes. But the culture itself presents temptations as well -- the marketplace, the schools, the media (TV, radio, and print), the workplace, social settings, sporting venues, etc. It is trying to change us!!
Daniel lived in such a culture too, but he was fully resolved to be DIFFERENT. And he succeeded!!! He was true to his Lord, and did not compromise himself with the culture in which he was immersed! (Just how different was he from the world around him? READ the book of Daniel and see!)
1:8 But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself. Have I become defiled, perhaps without even knowing it? Are there ways I've compromised with the world that I don't even see?? I'm afraid that the world's influence has seeped into me, to the point of actually affecting the way I think! It might be time to start questioning everything!
We need vision, discernment, resolve, and courage just to see the extent to which the world opposes God's desires. And even then, to actually strive to live in a way that goes against the opposition??? Supernatural strength!!!
Lord, please give me that strength, and even more than that, a total resolve to be different! Thanks for giving me the Holy Spirit, for giving me a fighting chance to please you. I pray for success, not just for me, but for all your children. In Jesus' name...
|
| |
| |
Going to Bob Evans with my 8-year old son for dinner the other evening, there was a moment of awkward silence as we drove. When no words came to me, I did what came naturally. I reached over and tickled him! After recovering his composure from the tickling, he looked up at me and beamed a smile of glee—he felt loved.
Touch, and in particular parents touching their children, is a very powerful way to convey love and acceptance. Never doubt the power of hugs, caressing and stroking of arms, neck, hair, playful pokes, tickling, or even wrestling. Touching makes a person feel wanted, a basic human need.
Jesus our Savior certainly knew this. How many times did he heal with a touch? If scripture is an indication, the answer is most of the time.
He touched the hand of Peter’s mother in law, and the fever left her (Matt 8:14-15).
He took the dead girl by the hand, and she got up (Matt 9:25).
He touched the eyes of two blind men, and their sight was restored (Matt 9:29).
He reached out his hand and touched the man with leprosy, and immediately the leprosy left him (Luke 5:13).
He even touched the coffin of a widow’s dead son, who immediately sat up and began to talk (Luke 7:14).
And just so these aren’t seen as exceptional cases...
4:40 When the sun was setting, the people brought to Jesus all who had various kinds of sickness, and laying his hands on each one, he healed them.
Indeed, Jesus couldn’t keep his hands off people! And furthermore, his touch was always gentle and compassionate. Not once is there a recorded instance of Jesus hitting, kicking, shoving, or otherwise physically abusing someone to whom he ministered. Turns out the Creator of human life was also the greatest respecter of it’s dignity.
(Side thought: “healers” who treat violently or disrespectfully those who come to them for healing may actually reveal the true source of their supernatural healing power, he who despises humanity with rage and fury…)
Gentle touch (the right kind) is a powerful way to express love, affection, compassion, empathy, and respect. We parents, and especially us dads, must never withhold touch from our children! We must put our hands on them every chance we get, so as to eliminate one of the greatest issues a child can face—“am I loved?” Which eventually can turn into “am I lovable?” Jesus certainly thought so!!!
|
| |
|
Subscribe to this blog
