Thursday, February 26, 2009
The Curse Shall Not Land
In Today’s Proverb: “Like a fluttering sparrow or a darting swallow, an undeserved curse does not come to rest [i.e. land].” (26:2-NIV)
The “curse” is the death and destruction of all forms and of all kinds, which were loosed into this earth upon Adam and Eve’s sin. It is sin’s “reward” (or result).
However, as the analogy in this proverb indicates, the curse has only rightful access to the “deserving”, which in Biblical terms, is the sin-ful. All other targets are inappropriate. The problem: All men have sinned, therefore all of man and all that belongs to man is “deserving” of the curse. Man, and the earth which was placed into his hands by God, are in fact, an appropriate landing.
Then by the mercies and grace of God, one came in whom there was no sin. He was not “deserving” of the curse. He was not a legally appropriate target for the curse! In Him the curse had no landing (or resting place). In life, He walked above the curse. His name of course, was Jesus.
But through His great love and sacrifice, Jesus, Who was not “deserving” of the curse, actually took the curse upon Himself, in our place, who were “deserving” of the curse… in order to make us then, legally, “undeserving” of the curse. This is Redemption! (A price paid – an exchange made).
Now, as the Redeemed believers in Jesus, we stand “undeserving” of the curse and all of its effects! It has no resting place in us! By faith in the promise of the Word, and in the legality of His redemption, we refuse its “landing” in our lives! Because of Jesus, we can apply today's Proverb to ourselves!
Even the Psalmist wrote of this redemption:
Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day [v.5]… it shall not come nigh thee…
…Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked [vv.7-8]
…There shall no evil befall [i.e. land upon] thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling [v10]. Psalm 91
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Mind Your Own Business?
In today's Proverb, something of note is addressed. When you see others (i.e. not belonging to yourself) being led off to slaughter... "is it none of your business"? "Leave well 'nough alone"?
Be it more than 1.2 million innocent children (in the United States alone) being slaughtered inside their own mother's womb each year... be it people in "other" nations being murdered, abused, and enslaved... be it spiritually lost and blind people being led unknowingly down the path to death, hell, and destruction...
Do we say nothing? Do we risk being called "imperialists" to other nations? Do we risk being accused of trouncing on "women's rights" to choose what they do with "their own" bodies? Do we dare risk being labeled "religious extremists" or "fascists" towards those in need of a savior?
Do we just look the other way, simply because it is none of our business? But WHO said "it's none of our business"? An attorney? A political strategist? A news reporter?
What does the Creator of all mankind, the Lover and Shepherd of the souls of all people say? GO!" (Matthew 28:19)
"Rescue those being led away to death; hold back those staggering toward slaughter.
If you say, "But we knew nothing about this," does not he who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not he who guards your life know it? Will he not repay each person according to what he has done?
Proverbs 24:11-12 (NIV)
Be it more than 1.2 million innocent children (in the United States alone) being slaughtered inside their own mother's womb each year... be it people in "other" nations being murdered, abused, and enslaved... be it spiritually lost and blind people being led unknowingly down the path to death, hell, and destruction...
Do we say nothing? Do we risk being called "imperialists" to other nations? Do we risk being accused of trouncing on "women's rights" to choose what they do with "their own" bodies? Do we dare risk being labeled "religious extremists" or "fascists" towards those in need of a savior?
Do we just look the other way, simply because it is none of our business? But WHO said "it's none of our business"? An attorney? A political strategist? A news reporter?
What does the Creator of all mankind, the Lover and Shepherd of the souls of all people say? GO!" (Matthew 28:19)
"Rescue those being led away to death; hold back those staggering toward slaughter.
If you say, "But we knew nothing about this," does not he who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not he who guards your life know it? Will he not repay each person according to what he has done?
Proverbs 24:11-12 (NIV)
Thursday, February 12, 2009
People: a source of great comfort!
In 2 Corinthians 7 Paul is sharing something personal. He is in a situation where he is being attacked and abused for preaching and teaching the Gospel. He is facing great peril and treachery! He is sharing with the church, that with the external threats and persecution, there is also great internal pressure that is coming against him. Knowing that people hate you. Knowing that there are others that are not only bent on your ruin, but that are sworn to kill you!
All this external strife and warring can produce great internal fear, struggle, self doubt, and a sense of failure etc! But Paul intimates something here very interesting. Though we know that he lived above all of this by the grace of God, and walked at peace within himself... through the Word of God, and by the Holy Spirit (Cf. 2 Cor. 6:6-7), yet he says that what took him over the top in joy and comfort, more than anything was...
...the way in which he was treated and loved by other people
(viz. Titus, and their local church). This is not an insult to God or His Word! This is the way that God has designed it... that we would have great power in comforting one another in the Spirit of love and truth.
Let us rid ourselves completely of cutting remarks, insulting other's things, styles, and ways...(contrary to what you may think - your ways are not THE only way of doing everything - they are just merely the way you choose to do it!), saying things that make others feel "stupid" or look foolish in front of others, on and on! Whether you're "just joking" or are serious, it does not matter - it's all the same! (Cf. Ephes. 4:31-32)
We are here to be peace-givers, peace-bringers, and peace-makers for others who may be filled with turmoil! We are here to be joy-bringers and comfort-givers to those who are dealing with the torment and trouble that come from living in this world!
WE ALL NEED IT! WHAT A CALLING!
All this external strife and warring can produce great internal fear, struggle, self doubt, and a sense of failure etc! But Paul intimates something here very interesting. Though we know that he lived above all of this by the grace of God, and walked at peace within himself... through the Word of God, and by the Holy Spirit (Cf. 2 Cor. 6:6-7), yet he says that what took him over the top in joy and comfort, more than anything was...
...the way in which he was treated and loved by other people
(viz. Titus, and their local church). This is not an insult to God or His Word! This is the way that God has designed it... that we would have great power in comforting one another in the Spirit of love and truth.
Let us rid ourselves completely of cutting remarks, insulting other's things, styles, and ways...(contrary to what you may think - your ways are not THE only way of doing everything - they are just merely the way you choose to do it!), saying things that make others feel "stupid" or look foolish in front of others, on and on! Whether you're "just joking" or are serious, it does not matter - it's all the same! (Cf. Ephes. 4:31-32)
We are here to be peace-givers, peace-bringers, and peace-makers for others who may be filled with turmoil! We are here to be joy-bringers and comfort-givers to those who are dealing with the torment and trouble that come from living in this world!
WE ALL NEED IT! WHAT A CALLING!
Friday, February 6, 2009
Faithful & True prt.2
Okay... the guys must have been out building igloos? We were talking about the proverb that encourages husbands to be "faithful & true" to their wives. This day we're calling on all wives... Could you ladies give us your perspective and ideas on what this means and what it looks like in everyday life?
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Faithful & True
Time to wake up! Hey, it's still early at my house. Well, this blog has been going for a month... This is a place for feedback, response, and conversation. We have had some very cool responses from some of you out there... but it has been very scant!
Today I call upon men! I want your response! You can be "anonymous", you can sign your name at the bottom of your post... your choice. But in this month of romance, in a world, most unfortunately (seemingly??) plagued with inept romanceirs (both men and women)... I have this hobby of a desire to help change that... but must admit, the task at times seems overwhelming! Rise up oh army!
In today's Proverb, we find this: "Drink from your own well, my son--be faithful and true to your wife." (v.15 Liv) Would you sound off and give us some ideas on what that means? What is it, and what does it look like? Awaiting your reply(s)! ...and don't settle for the other guy's answer :)
Today I call upon men! I want your response! You can be "anonymous", you can sign your name at the bottom of your post... your choice. But in this month of romance, in a world, most unfortunately (seemingly??) plagued with inept romanceirs (both men and women)... I have this hobby of a desire to help change that... but must admit, the task at times seems overwhelming! Rise up oh army!
In today's Proverb, we find this: "Drink from your own well, my son--be faithful and true to your wife." (v.15 Liv) Would you sound off and give us some ideas on what that means? What is it, and what does it look like? Awaiting your reply(s)! ...and don't settle for the other guy's answer :)
Monday, February 2, 2009
February Romance
Welcome to the month of romance! Some people love it, some people don't. Some know what it is, some have long forgotten. Romance is the spirit of marriage. It is the spark, it is the passion that keeps the relationship fresh, on fire, and ever increasing.
Of course, for believers, the Song of Solomon is the pattern for romance between the husband and the wife. And I would venture to say, that ten years into your marriage, if you are not living in this awesome book, you're probably not living in romance!
Most couples, at the very beginning of their relationship, experienced some kind of passion, or feeling of romance. Yet, as the relationship goes on, for many, that all fades away. They may look back on that time and wish for those same feelings, only to dismiss the thought, reasoning that, "Well, you can't expect to have those same feelings... that was just because it was all new, etc etc..."
I tend to strongly disagree! On the contrary, with God, the God of life and increase, things grow, develop, and become greater! Those "feelings" for a spouse should be (and can be) even greater! Romance should be even more ecstatic! But a crucial lesson must be caught: Because at the very beginning, this infatuation may have just seemed to come out of the blue and hit you... you really didn't do anything to get it... it was just there... You didn't work it up. Just one day, all of a sudden, you found yourself really, really attracted to this person... and willing to do "anything it takes" to be with them... people then assume that there is nothing that you can do to control romance, or to develop it... it is a feeling that comes out of nowhere - out of one's control, and it is something that later leaves - out of one's control.
I think that this is a very false assumption. You can keep it if you want it! It can last a lifetime if you nurture it! If you work at it, romance and real romantic feelings should be many times greater that at the beginning!
Romance: you feel it, you experience it, but it is also something that you do!
Here are some new words that I have recently coined - you can discuss them with your spouse? "Introflirt" (think introvert). "Reverse-flirtation". Hmmmmm?
Of course, for believers, the Song of Solomon is the pattern for romance between the husband and the wife. And I would venture to say, that ten years into your marriage, if you are not living in this awesome book, you're probably not living in romance!
Most couples, at the very beginning of their relationship, experienced some kind of passion, or feeling of romance. Yet, as the relationship goes on, for many, that all fades away. They may look back on that time and wish for those same feelings, only to dismiss the thought, reasoning that, "Well, you can't expect to have those same feelings... that was just because it was all new, etc etc..."
I tend to strongly disagree! On the contrary, with God, the God of life and increase, things grow, develop, and become greater! Those "feelings" for a spouse should be (and can be) even greater! Romance should be even more ecstatic! But a crucial lesson must be caught: Because at the very beginning, this infatuation may have just seemed to come out of the blue and hit you... you really didn't do anything to get it... it was just there... You didn't work it up. Just one day, all of a sudden, you found yourself really, really attracted to this person... and willing to do "anything it takes" to be with them... people then assume that there is nothing that you can do to control romance, or to develop it... it is a feeling that comes out of nowhere - out of one's control, and it is something that later leaves - out of one's control.
I think that this is a very false assumption. You can keep it if you want it! It can last a lifetime if you nurture it! If you work at it, romance and real romantic feelings should be many times greater that at the beginning!
Romance: you feel it, you experience it, but it is also something that you do!
Here are some new words that I have recently coined - you can discuss them with your spouse? "Introflirt" (think introvert). "Reverse-flirtation". Hmmmmm?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)