I was challenged last week by one of the Regional Directors of the Assemblies of God World Missions when he read from Proverbs 16:9.
The New International Version says, "In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps."
As I was reading through my Ryrie Study Bible, I noted a comment about this verse. It said, “Permitting or overruling the acts of man without infringing upon his freedom or interrupting his responsibility is an awesome expression of God's providence.”
I love that passage and I love the explanation that was given. It goes right along with Peter’s encouragement to the church to live holy lives no matter what the government does, even if they are mistreated as slaves, or if they are living with an unbelieving husband. No matter the circumstances, the encouragement was to live holy lives. Don’t react harshly to harsh treatment. Don’t react to unfair treatment with vengeance. Live holy lives. We have all been given the responsibility to live lives that are set apart for the purposes of God.
What a great word of encouragement for the church today, for families today but most of all for me today….and tomorrow and the day after that……..
In Pursuit
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Thursday, February 12, 2009
You just never know!
Our world was rocked this past week with the death of an 18 year old high school senior. Our sons were friends with this young man. And it turns out that I stood next to him for an entire half of a basketball game the night prior to his accident.
I’ve reflected back on those few minutes. Both of us stood silently watching the game. I left the stands due to crowding, coughing and very hard bleachers. He came in late and didn’t move any closer than the entry way to the gym. We didn’t speak. Neither of us cheered or said anything at all. We just watched the game. Little did either of us realize that he was just a few hours away from being in heaven.
It’s difficult enough when someone we know has a prolonged sickness and dies. It’s even more difficult when someone our own age dies suddenly. But it’s extremely difficult when someone like this young man dies. He was so young. He was just getting started with life. He had so much to look forward to. But you just never know.
Fortunately, he knew Christ as his Savior. We have a great confidence that he is in heaven today. He’s not looking back, not wishing he could go back and live the rest of his life out and not moaning about anything he might have missed out on here on earth. He is in heaven. He sees Jesus face to face. No more questions. No more fears. No more concerns about what to do with his life. No more worries about fitting in. He is in heaven.
I wonder how many other people I have stood silently beside when perhaps I should have engaged them in conversation. This time I stood beside someone who was prepared. But what about the next one and the one after that. You just never know, do you?
Always In Pursuit!
Our world was rocked this past week with the death of an 18 year old high school senior. Our sons were friends with this young man. And it turns out that I stood next to him for an entire half of a basketball game the night prior to his accident.
I’ve reflected back on those few minutes. Both of us stood silently watching the game. I left the stands due to crowding, coughing and very hard bleachers. He came in late and didn’t move any closer than the entry way to the gym. We didn’t speak. Neither of us cheered or said anything at all. We just watched the game. Little did either of us realize that he was just a few hours away from being in heaven.
It’s difficult enough when someone we know has a prolonged sickness and dies. It’s even more difficult when someone our own age dies suddenly. But it’s extremely difficult when someone like this young man dies. He was so young. He was just getting started with life. He had so much to look forward to. But you just never know.
Fortunately, he knew Christ as his Savior. We have a great confidence that he is in heaven today. He’s not looking back, not wishing he could go back and live the rest of his life out and not moaning about anything he might have missed out on here on earth. He is in heaven. He sees Jesus face to face. No more questions. No more fears. No more concerns about what to do with his life. No more worries about fitting in. He is in heaven.
I wonder how many other people I have stood silently beside when perhaps I should have engaged them in conversation. This time I stood beside someone who was prepared. But what about the next one and the one after that. You just never know, do you?
Always In Pursuit!
Thursday, February 5, 2009
A few years ago a very popular television program featured a nerdy character who could cause more chaos in a matter of minutes than most are capable of creating in a lifetime. His famous response to the chaos was always, “Did I do that?”
I really doubt the creators and writers of this television program had this in mind, but First Peter 1:5 challenges us as believers to become catalysts for God’s power through our faith.
Peter wrote about those believers who “through faith are shielded by God’s power….” We find two points of action in Peter’s statement: the faith exercised by the person and the work of God’s power. Notice that they are listed sequentially. It was their faith that brought about God’s power working on their behalf.
Their faith was the catalyst for God’s power. God’s power is resident everywhere, because God is resident everywhere, all the time. He is omnipotent and omnipresent. But his nature prevents him from working in places he is not welcome to work. We could say that God is very much the gentleman.
Just as the faith of the first recipients of Peter’s letter was the catalyst for God’s power, so my faith for today; my faith for difficult economic times; my faith for dire medical diagnosis; my faith for the salvation of loved ones; my faith for God to bring order to chaos will be the catalyst for his power to be exhibited in ways that will bring honor and glory to God.
So, despite whatever chaos life brings, we can exercise our faith and then stand and watch as God’s power brings about his good, pleasing and perfect will for our lives. And we too can say, “Did I do that?”
Always In Pursuit!
I really doubt the creators and writers of this television program had this in mind, but First Peter 1:5 challenges us as believers to become catalysts for God’s power through our faith.
Peter wrote about those believers who “through faith are shielded by God’s power….” We find two points of action in Peter’s statement: the faith exercised by the person and the work of God’s power. Notice that they are listed sequentially. It was their faith that brought about God’s power working on their behalf.
Their faith was the catalyst for God’s power. God’s power is resident everywhere, because God is resident everywhere, all the time. He is omnipotent and omnipresent. But his nature prevents him from working in places he is not welcome to work. We could say that God is very much the gentleman.
Just as the faith of the first recipients of Peter’s letter was the catalyst for God’s power, so my faith for today; my faith for difficult economic times; my faith for dire medical diagnosis; my faith for the salvation of loved ones; my faith for God to bring order to chaos will be the catalyst for his power to be exhibited in ways that will bring honor and glory to God.
So, despite whatever chaos life brings, we can exercise our faith and then stand and watch as God’s power brings about his good, pleasing and perfect will for our lives. And we too can say, “Did I do that?”
Always In Pursuit!
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
I usually spend Monday afternoons in a coffee shop where I read, write, listen to one of my favorite Bible teachers and spend time reflecting on what God is saying. Recently I stopped and looked at the table I was sitting at and had a good laugh at myself.
On the table, next to a great cup of coffee, were my laptop, I-pod, cell phone, and a memory stick. I took two phone calls on my cell, answered one text message, sent out a text message and down loaded a new pod cast onto my I-pod. And I don’t consider myself to be very high tech.
Just a few years ago, none of that technology was even available let alone found on my table for me to use and that with a certain amount of self-confidence.
I was very quickly reminded what God spoke through the prophet Isaiah, in Isaiah 43:19. There he proclaims, “See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland."
I realize the context of Isaiah 43 was the restoration of Israel, but I also believe God has given us these tools of technology to use for restoration as well. Just as God was concerned with the restoration of Israel, He is concerned with the restoration of all who remain alienated from Him.
These are not my father’s tools for ministry nor will they be tools of ministry for my sons. But they are tools that God has provided for me, and I intend to use them as tools. They are neither to be worshiped nor feared, but used to help restore hearts to the Father. These devices are part of the “new thing” God is doing among us.
Verse 18 of Isaiah 43 is a good reminder to those of us who feel overwhelmed with all the changes going on. It says, “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.”
He didn’t say the former things were wrong, just “former.” But he did say not to dwell on the past.
Being in pursuit of God means that I am always looking ahead for him rather than behind me, other wise it would be a chase and not a pursuit!
Enjoy the new things of the Lord today and tomorrow and every day after that He gives to you!
Always In Pursuit!
On the table, next to a great cup of coffee, were my laptop, I-pod, cell phone, and a memory stick. I took two phone calls on my cell, answered one text message, sent out a text message and down loaded a new pod cast onto my I-pod. And I don’t consider myself to be very high tech.
Just a few years ago, none of that technology was even available let alone found on my table for me to use and that with a certain amount of self-confidence.
I was very quickly reminded what God spoke through the prophet Isaiah, in Isaiah 43:19. There he proclaims, “See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland."
I realize the context of Isaiah 43 was the restoration of Israel, but I also believe God has given us these tools of technology to use for restoration as well. Just as God was concerned with the restoration of Israel, He is concerned with the restoration of all who remain alienated from Him.
These are not my father’s tools for ministry nor will they be tools of ministry for my sons. But they are tools that God has provided for me, and I intend to use them as tools. They are neither to be worshiped nor feared, but used to help restore hearts to the Father. These devices are part of the “new thing” God is doing among us.
Verse 18 of Isaiah 43 is a good reminder to those of us who feel overwhelmed with all the changes going on. It says, “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.”
He didn’t say the former things were wrong, just “former.” But he did say not to dwell on the past.
Being in pursuit of God means that I am always looking ahead for him rather than behind me, other wise it would be a chase and not a pursuit!
Enjoy the new things of the Lord today and tomorrow and every day after that He gives to you!
Always In Pursuit!
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