QT 30 Dec 14, Eccl 7:10, Learn contentment by learning to be thankful

Eccl 7:10 (ESV) Say not, "Why were the former days better than these?"

For it is not from wisdom that you ask this.

NOTE: So, we do have to be a little careful with Ecclesiastes since the first part of the book is wisdom that Solomon gained from a human perspective. But in this case I think he has captured a real problem of man and that is the "grass is greener on the other side" syndrome. It reveals itself in multiple ways. In some cases, it is the belief that what I have not experienced (future) is what will make me happy. And it is seen (as in the verse) as a rosy view of past circumstances as having been better than what we are experiencing now. That is seldom actually the case, and if the person were able to go back we would find that the person would then wish for the most recent experience or some other experience, or even, as in the first case, the unrealized ideal future case. So what is the problem? It is discontent. We have not learned the secret of contentment. We have not learned to enjoy life as we are living. And so we wish our lives away hoping for a day when we will reach our picture of happiness, never stopping to enjoy or appreciate the present. In college, I wished for the weekends to come. And then I wished for the long breaks. And then I wished for the year to be over. And then I wished to start back up. And then one day, I realized I was wishing my life away. The key lesson is to develop thankfulness for what we have and what we are experiencing now. Make a list. Pray about all the things that you are thankful for. Make a point of seeing the good in the present. And look for the things that you can only experience now. For example, your children will only be their present age this year. It will never happen again. So appreciate that aspect of life. It may be hard but there are always things to appreciate in life if you take the time to be thankful.

QT 26 Dec 14, 1 Cor 15:45-49, Someday, we will put off this body of dust and put on a new heavenly body

1 Cor 15:45-49 (ESV) Thus it is written, "The first man Adam became a living being"; the last Adam became a life-giving spirit. 46 But it is not the spiritual that is first but the natural, and then the spiritual. 47  The first man was from the earth, a man of dust; the second man is from heaven. 48 As was the man of dust, so also are those who are of the dust, and as is the man of heaven, so also are those who are of heaven. 49 Just as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the man of heaven.

NOTE: Today we struggle to live the Christian life in a fallen body. It was weak and it was weakened by Adam's sin. Maybe, it never had a chance since it was made of dust. Who is to know? Maybe it was a test of obedience that would have led to a spiritual body at some time--again, we do not know. But we do know that God provided a way to eternal life through faith in his son. Jesus himself told us that we must be born anew; flesh gives birth to flesh but spirit gives birth to spirit. We need a spiritual rebirth. Although, interestingly, while men of dust live on this planet, the new bodies are promised in the future, when the old body (the perishable seed mentioned in the preceding verses) is resurrected, giving birth to a body of power and strength, and at that point, made in the image of the man of heaven, Jesus. It is hard to imagine a body that is not susceptible to sin as our bodies are now. But that is the promise, and that is the key to living eternally. We will still have free will but we will have no desire to rebel against our savior. We will be at peace with God--something we can taste today but not fully realize until we are in the presence of God. Lord, help me to say no to my flesh, and to live kindly and rightly before you and others.

QT 23 Dec 14, Luke 14:7-11, Humility looks so much better than pride

Luke 14:7-11 (ESV) Now he told a parable to those who were invited, when he noticed how they chose the places of honor, saying to them, 8 "When you are invited by someone to a wedding feast, do not sit down in a place of honor, lest someone more distinguished than you be invited by him,  9 and he who invited you both will come and say to you, 'Give your place to this person,' and then you will begin with shame to take the lowest place.  10 But when you are invited, go and sit in the lowest place, so that when your host comes he may say to you, 'Friend, move up higher.' Then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at table with you.  11 For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."

NOTE: I don't think the issue was "how do I get myself honored?" Rather, this fits more closely with Romans 12, "do not think of yourself more highly than you ought to." Humility is to be preferred over pride, and recognition over exaltation. There are few things so ugly as pride. I should know. I have fallen down that path many a time. You would think at my age that I was over it--that I would not care what others think of me, but no, I still struggle. I know what is true and right, but I still try to exalt myself. I am a little more subtle in my old age, and I still find ways to insert my importance or my accomplishments. Lord, forgive me for my pride. I know it is ugly. Give me grace to live humbly before others.

QT 22 Dec 14, Isa 41:23-24, Who is this baby? The question matters a lot!

Isa 41:23-24 (ESV)  Tell us what is to come hereafter,

that we may know that you are gods;

 do good, or do harm,

that we may be dismayed and terrified.

24 Behold, you are nothing,

and your work is less than nothing;

an abomination is he who chooses you.

NOTE: In context the passage speaks to the futility of idols. We still worship idols today but in a much subtler sense. By definition (mine), an idol is something you worship (give deference to) or put your hope in for your future. For many today, that is a humanistic philosophy that man can solve his problems, that science will find solutions and reasons for our pain, and that technology will give us everything we dream to own and experience. And certainly, science, technology, and human reason can do wonderful things. Except, they cannot replace God. They can exist alongside and augment a relationship and knowledge of God, but they can't provide the answers we seek by themselves. But there is no dichotomy between the two either as many would have us believe today. In this Christmas season, atheists have advertised the need to be rid of fairy tales, except they ignore the historical and scientific evidence for God. They would have us naively believe there is none. And so they create the very error they think they are protecting us from, blind faith. The evidence for Jesus, the resurrection, the zero probability of life without some intelligent agent or process need to be examined. An honest examination at the least would leave us in the state of, not sure or agnostic, and more probably, a theist. But for some reason, we have to have idols, so that we can have an excuse to ignore the God of the bible and the claims of Jesus Christ. They are not fairy tales but very real, and terrifying if true. The bible says that "the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God (2 Cor 4:4)." God visited the planet 2000 years ago, and our response is that he is a fairy tale. Israel's response was that he was Satan (Matt 12:23-24). But who do you and I say the baby is?

QT 20 Dec 14, Jer 31:2-5, Serve God and enjoy life

Jer 31:2-5 (ESV) Thus says the Lord:

"The people who survived the sword

found grace in the wilderness;

 when Israel sought for rest,

3 the Lord appeared to him from far away.

 I have loved you with an everlasting love;

therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you.

4  Again I will build you, and you shall be built,

O virgin Israel!

 Again you shall adorn yourself with tambourines

and shall go forth in the dance of the merrymakers.

5  Again you shall plant vineyards

on the mountains of Samaria;

the planters shall plant

and shall enjoy the fruit."

NOTE: So, what is God's definition of joy? Where is purpose and happiness found? Is it ever found in this physical life? Other passages make it clear that joy, purpose, and happiness involve a relationship with God as the supreme objective. But the sublime is not without joy or purpose or happiness. In this passage, God promises Israel that a time is coming when she will be rebuilt and there will be music, dance, and wine, as a fulfillment of God's faithfulness toward Israel. So, the answer to the question is not always spiritual, but there are physical aspects as well, not just now but even in the future. Those things appeal to us, not because they are poor substitutes, but because we are designed to enjoy them. And we shouldn't feel guilty for enjoying what God gives.

QT 18 Dec 14, Joel 2:12-14, Rend our hearts

Joel 2:12-14 (ESV) "Yet even now," declares the Lord,

 "return to me with all your heart,

 with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning;

13 and rend your hearts and not your garments."

 Return to the Lord, your God,

 for he is gracious and merciful,

slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love;

 and he relents over disaster.

14  Who knows whether he will not turn and relent,

and leave a blessing behind him,

 a grain offering and a drink offering

for the Lord your God?

NOTE: To "rend your garments," (tearing them) is an outward sign of what should be an inward attitude. Our sin should cause us to tear our hearts. But what does it mean to tear your hearts? Psalm 51 tells us, "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise." To rend our heart is to recognize how utterly sinful our actions have been, and how utterly sinful our heart is (because we desired to do what was wrong). We can't replace our heart or this flesh in this life, but we can transform it. First we must recognize how sinful we are. Then we follow the instructions in Romans 12-13. We surrender our lives to God. We seek to transform our mind through daily time in the word of God. We become actively involved in fellowship, the local body. Lastly, we recognized that our lives have purpose. We are to live in such a way as to bring others to Jesus Christ through our actions, lifestyle, kindness, and words of truth.

QT 15 Dec 14, Ruth 1:13b-14, Bitter events can be a good thing, if we see our need for God

Ruth 1:13b-14 (ESV) … No, my daughters, for it is exceedingly bitter to me for your sake that the hand of the Lord has gone out against me." 14 Then they lifted up their voices and wept again. And Orpah kissed her mother-in-law, but Ruth clung to her.

NOTE: Most people assume that Naomi is exceedingly bitter against God for what has occurred in her life, the death of her husband and her two sons, the famine in Israel, and probably the health of her two boys as they grew up. Later on, she even tells others to call her Mara, meaning bitter, "because the Lord has dealt bitterly with her." But rather than being bitter, I believe that Naomi recognized the bitter lessons as God's way of drawing her back to himself. "Bitter" was a good thing in Naomi's life, not because it was good or fun, but because it helped her to see what was most important in life. Far from being a bitter woman, I believe Naomi was a very special godly woman without a trace of bitterness in her life. The reaction of her daughter-in-laws makes my point. No one enjoys bitter people, nor do they want to remain near them. Certainly no one searching for a faith system would choose one that seemed to provide disaster to a person's life. But both Orpah and Ruth love Naomi deeply. Orpah did return home, but Ruth clung to Naomi. And later Ruth affirms that the God who has dealt bitterly with Naomi would be her God as well. Why? Because Ruth recognized that God gave Naomi a strength and a sense of purpose that was unlike anything she had ever seen. God gave Naomi hope in the midst of great pain, tragedy, disaster, and bitterness. She wanted what Naomi had. She wanted to be a Yahweh follower.

QT 11 Dec 14, 1 Thess 5:23, Saved, but also being saved

1 Thess 5:23 (ESV) Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

NOTE: Paul's final words to the Thessalonians, who are eagerly awaiting Jesus' return (arguably at the rapture), focus on the sanctification process. We are saved by faith, but we are being saved by obedience. In the first case, we are saved from Hell (justified when we place our faith in Jesus). In the second case, we are being saved from our sinful flesh--a sort of hell for some people. This process requires the surrender of our bodies, the renewal of our mind, an involvement in community (Christian fellowship), and life purpose (the witness of our lives to those who don't know Jesus). Too many people focus on only one aspect of our salvation, the justification by faith. But equally important is the sanctification of our whole spirit and soul and body. We are to grow to be like Jesus, that is why God does not take us home immediately upon justification. We have a purpose and we have a job. To ignore this aspect is to ignore the great salvation that has been given to us. Lord wake us up so that we do not remain lazy Christians.

QT 10 Dec 14, Rapture is a physical salvation into an eternal future

1 Thess 4:15 (ESV) For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,

NOTE: There is a great debate on what this word wrath means--is it soteriological (salvation-oriented) or eschatological (future times-, tribulation-oriented)?. The Greek word is orge, pronounced or-gay' and Strong defines as "properly desire (as a reaching for or excitement of the mind), i.e. (by analogy,) violent passion." It is used more than three times of God toward man in only 3 books: Romans, Revelation, and 1 Thessalonians. In Revelation, it is used exclusively during the period of Tribulation. In 1 Thess, the emphasis is on protection from a coming wrath, and in Romans, the word could be used either of the coming wrath of God against mankind or his wrath against sin as a reason for our need for salvation. Romans has the largest number of uses. So, it is not clear. But in this passage in 1 Thess, it is most likely eschatological since that is the root of the discussion, i.e. has the Lord returned or not, and what about people who have already died? So, Paul could be saying that people who died don't have to worry because they are justified by Jesus death as much as those who are alive (this is the soteriological answer). But that doesn't make sense, surely they knew that. The most likely explanation, is that they were confused about the rapture (what happens if you are dead), and how does that relate to the coming tribulation period when God's wrath is exercised against all of mankind who has refused to believe. In that sense (eschatologically), Paul is saying that we will not need to worry about going through the tribulation but will be saved (physically) from that time. Part of our problem is not realizing that the word salvation is used in both spiritual and physical explanations. Verses that discuss salvation by works are referring to the daily walk (also called sanctification) and how we are saved from our sinful flesh by obedience and good works--we become more like Christ. Salvation is also used in a spiritual sense as in our justification when we put our faith in Jesus Christ for our salvation. There is no work involved, only faith. That salvation secures our eternity, our inheritance, and our standing with God (justification), and our future glorification (when we will be like him). The rapture saves us from physically going through the tribulation and brings about glorification (when we receive our new bodies and no longer have to fight against the sinful flesh). Praise God for our salvation--justification, sanctification, and glorification.

QT 9 Dec 14, Isa 30:8, It is good to wait on the Lord

Isa 30:18 (ESV) Therefore the Lord waits to be gracious to you,

and therefore he exalts himself to show mercy to you.

For the Lord is a God of justice;

blessed are all those who wait for him.

NOTE: Recently I was disappointed by not getting a job where I thought I had interviewed very well. It was a good test of faith. One, I had told God that I wanted his best and that if this was not the best place for me that he would close the door. So, the door is closed and I must believe that God has answered the prayer. Two, it is good to wait. No matter how often I have to learn that lesson, it is still good. Three, God is not holding something back from me. I may not be equipped for the job, but God is not holding back. He desires to be gracious to me. And so, I can be confident that there will be other opportunities or even, there are opportunities where I am right now to be a witness for his name's sake. I need to keep a proper perspective and rejoice in all things. Thanks Lord for all the things which you are teaching me.

QT 8 Dec 14, Rev 3:4, Our job is to be a witness, not a political gong

Rev 3:4 (ESV) Yet you have still a few names in Sardis, people who have not soiled their garments, and they will walk with me in white, for they are worthy.

NOTE: Without going into a long discussion of why I believe in the historical prophetic view of the churches of Revelation (fits with purpose, theme, and outline of book), I see a very good application of this pre-1800 church age. This church age occurred during the protestant reformation, and while the reputation is one of being alive, it is no better than the previous church age, the dark ages and the Catholic church. The protestant reformation transferred the authority from Rome to the various governments of Europe. I'm sure that was not Luther's intent, but it was the result, and so it failed just as badly as the previous age. The good news is that there were people who did not soil their clothes in the church government issues, but focused on the life giving aspect of the gospel that was released with Luther's first steps. They would become the seed of the great age in church history, the Philadelphian time, when no door was closed, and the gospel spread throughout the world via the British empire domain. It wasn't the British empire, but it was people who gave up their lives to take the gospel to the ends of the earth. The spiritual parents and grandparents can from the Sardis age. They were not caught up in political pursuits but stuck to the simplicity of the gospel, salvation to all who trust by faith in Jesus' death for their sin. That is where I too need to focus. God will take care of the nations, but he has given me the job of sharing his message to people.

QT 4 Dec 14, Prov 15:32, We need help to see our blind spots

Prov 15:32 (ESV) Whoever ignores instruction despises himself, but he who listens to reproof gains intelligence.

NOTE: As a culture, and maybe it is a little more than that--as fallen human beings--we rebel against reproof. We don't want to be told that what we are doing is wrong. Some of the reason is pride and arrogance. I think another reason is that we don't appreciate the value of correction. Or we think we are capable of correcting ourselves in time. And even more importantly, we don't realize that we have blind spots, things that are known by others but are unknown by ourselves. Our blind spots are worsened when people don't correct us, because we assume our actions are correct since no one says otherwise, and so our blind pots become hardened in us. We day, "they (the blind spots) are just who we are, and not something that needs correction." Which is why it is so important to listen to reproof and to tough love, so that the blind spots do not become hardened within us. But that requires a special friend who is willing to say hard things without worry of losing our love or friendship. For most people, the closest thing we have to that friendship is family. But there is one more approach to gaining reproof and understanding to blind spots, and that is to ask God. David prayed, "Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting! (Ps 139:23-24, ESV)" Lord, I do pray, open my eyes to my faults and hidden sins.

QT 3 Dec 14, Isa 25:1-8a, There is a plan and it is there for us to learn

Isa 25:1-8 (ESV) O Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you; I will praise your name,

for you have done wonderful things,

 plans formed of old, faithful and sure.

2 For you have made the city a heap,

the fortified city a ruin;

the foreigners' palace is a city no more;

it will never be rebuilt.

3  Therefore strong peoples will glorify you;

cities of ruthless nations will fear you.

4  For you have been a stronghold to the poor,

a stronghold to the needy in his distress,

 a shelter from the storm and a shade from the heat;

 for the breath of the ruthless is like a storm against a wall,

5  like heat in a dry place.

You subdue the noise of the foreigners;

as heat by the shade of a cloud,

so the song of the ruthless is put down.

6  On this mountain the Lord of hosts will make for all peoples

a feast of rich food, a feast of well-aged wine,

 of rich food full of marrow, of aged wine well refined.

7 And he will swallow up on this mountain

the covering that is cast over all peoples,

 the veil that is spread over all nations.

8  He will swallow up death forever;

NOTE: There is a plan, and it has been formed of old. It is faithful and sure. So, if there is a plan, why does it have to take so long? Why does it seem so chaotic? Why does it allow evil to reign? Because we believe that God has made the plan, we also know that the plan has purpose. It is not chaotic, slow, or evil. It has a purpose and it is to make abundantly clear that God's ways are much better than anything man can devised. For all of our supposed intelligence, new ideas, and solutions, our world does not get better where it matters most. We don't treat people with respect and dignity. We don't love. We don't worship the creator (which is very important if in fact we are created--which I believe--how we are created is debatable). And so our culture crumbles as relative truth reigns and fails to give us the future we hope to see. We consistently make excuses for the failures, suggesting more and more things are needed. Someday (although it has happened in other nations), the world leader will make the argument that the problem is religion, specifically Jews and Christians that are holding back progress. And the only way to achieve our "dream" is to eliminate these subversive elements. It will happen. Revelation tells us that it will happen. Revelation promises death to tribulation saints, but with the certainty of a much better eternal reward. There is a plan and it is designed to teach the world. Are we learning or are we also ignoring what God is teaching?

QT 3 Dec 14, Eph 5:18-21, Filled with the Spirit by Taking in the Word of God

Eph 5:18-21 (ESV) And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, 19 addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with all your heart, 20  giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21  submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.

NOTE: Merriam-Webster describes debauchery as extreme indulgence in sensuality (for the first definition). It has also been used (now archaic) as seduction from virtue or duty. Still another definition (vocabulary.com) is overindulging in life's pleasures. So, we have a comparison being made between overindulging in alcohol and being filled with the spirit. Therefore, we can view the first as follows: if you are going to overdo something, overindulge in the Holy Spirit, not in that which feeds your flesh. So, how do we overindulge in the Spirit? How do we allow the Spirit to fill us when it is already in us? I think it means two things. One, it means to give God control over more areas of our life. To put him on the throne in regards to all the various areas of our life that we try to control. Second, it means to dig into the word of God more. There is a striking parallelism between this passage and Col 3:16 (RSV) "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teach and admonish one another in all wisdom, and sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." The two sections are almost identical with the difference of "letting the word of Christ dwell in you richly" substituted for" be filled with the Spirit." This leads me (and others) to believe that digging deeper into God's word (which will bring up areas of your life that God needs to rule) is the same as being filled with the Spirit.

QT 1 Dec 14, Ps 74:1, 7-8 Today is a great day to live for Christ

Ps 74:1, 7-8 (ESV) O God, why do you cast us off forever?

Why does your anger smoke against the sheep of your pasture?

. . .

7 They set your sanctuary on fire;

they profaned the dwelling place of your name,

bringing it down to the ground.

8 They said to themselves, "We will utterly subdue them";

they burned all the meeting places of God in the land.

NOTE: It does seem at times that the enemy is winning. Of course, that ignores two major truths, one, he already lost at the cross, and two, the major reason for the tribulation is for God's wrath to be revealed against his enemies. So, the enemy has not won nor will he win. The Psalms capture the heart and emotion of the psalmist. As such they are not to be mistaken with didactic instruction. They are perfectly true, in as much as they fully convey the emotions of the believer. But one must be careful in drawing doctrine from the pages. We can see that it is entirely normal to feel discouraged by events of the time or cultural demise. It is happening now and it is sad. But not really because I would like it to be different so I can live life in the culture I prefer, but it is sad because it blinds those who most need something different. And so it can be a good thing if we live our lives in such a way that the gospel is seen through it. We can have hope; we can do the right thing, the more thing; we can love others; we can serve others; we can display the righteousness and love of Christ to a dying world--AND people will see it because the contrast is unmistakable.