Thursday, June 21, 2007
NWVBC Mission Trip to Mexico
While it is not a youth group project, several of our teens are heading on this trip on Saturday. We need to be in much prayer for the Lord to use each individual on the trip, and that He will also use it in each team member's life. I remember the trip last year having a profound impact on my life and many others, and I look forward to what God is going to do on this trip. Those of us who are going to miss it need to do our part in prayer.
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Judgment: A Good Thing? - Amos 5:24
Amos 5:24
But let judgment run down as waters, and righteousness as a mighty stream.
The book of Amos might not be one of those places where you would expect to get much out of devotions, but there is a lot there if you are looking for it. The context of the verse we are looking at is God telling His people how He refuses to accept their worship when their lives are so rotten. And it is against this backdrop that the subject of judgment is brought to the surface.
The layout of this verse is in synonymous parallelism (Hebrew poetry is in use here), meaning that the two phrases in this verse mean basically the same thing. For example, the word waters is parallel to the phrase a mighty stream. Likewise, the word judgment is parallel to righteousness. Does that seem strange to you? Most of the time, we think of a judgment as something that is negative, because that is the way the term is often used in our culture. But this passage obviously sees judgment as a positive thing because it is connected with righteousness. However, this is not strange at all, if you remember that a judgment can be either positive or negative. If a person goes to court, the judge or jury may rule for or against their case. If the individual did that which was unacceptable by the laws of the land, the judgment will be unfavorable. But, if someone is in the right, then the judgment will work to his advantage.
We should be thankful that God is a righteous judge. He always judges perfectly. He never lets us bury ourselves in sin without his chastening judgment. But He is also faithful to uphold us when we obey Him in righteousness. And best of all, we are positionally righteous in Him because Jesus Christ offers justification through His righteous life and death on the cross.
So, when you are praising God and meditating upon Him, do not forget that among all of the wonderful things about Him, His judgment is remarkable as well. By the way, if you want to see another place where the word judgment is used positively, check out Psalm 119, where that word is one of many synonyms for God’s Word.
But let judgment run down as waters, and righteousness as a mighty stream.
The book of Amos might not be one of those places where you would expect to get much out of devotions, but there is a lot there if you are looking for it. The context of the verse we are looking at is God telling His people how He refuses to accept their worship when their lives are so rotten. And it is against this backdrop that the subject of judgment is brought to the surface.
The layout of this verse is in synonymous parallelism (Hebrew poetry is in use here), meaning that the two phrases in this verse mean basically the same thing. For example, the word waters is parallel to the phrase a mighty stream. Likewise, the word judgment is parallel to righteousness. Does that seem strange to you? Most of the time, we think of a judgment as something that is negative, because that is the way the term is often used in our culture. But this passage obviously sees judgment as a positive thing because it is connected with righteousness. However, this is not strange at all, if you remember that a judgment can be either positive or negative. If a person goes to court, the judge or jury may rule for or against their case. If the individual did that which was unacceptable by the laws of the land, the judgment will be unfavorable. But, if someone is in the right, then the judgment will work to his advantage.
We should be thankful that God is a righteous judge. He always judges perfectly. He never lets us bury ourselves in sin without his chastening judgment. But He is also faithful to uphold us when we obey Him in righteousness. And best of all, we are positionally righteous in Him because Jesus Christ offers justification through His righteous life and death on the cross.
So, when you are praising God and meditating upon Him, do not forget that among all of the wonderful things about Him, His judgment is remarkable as well. By the way, if you want to see another place where the word judgment is used positively, check out Psalm 119, where that word is one of many synonyms for God’s Word.
A Short Testimony - Isaiah 40:31
Isaiah 40:31
But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strenght; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
I know this is a widely used verse, but it has always been special to me. In fact, I think it was the first verse (other than John 3:16) that I memorized. Having patience has always been a struggle for me; I always want to get up and go. If God doesn't answer my prayers right away, He doesn't care! Coming to this verse I realize that isn't true. God does care for me; He will renew my strength. If I "keep on keepin' on"--with God's help--through my life as a Christian I will neither faint nor be weary.
But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strenght; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
I know this is a widely used verse, but it has always been special to me. In fact, I think it was the first verse (other than John 3:16) that I memorized. Having patience has always been a struggle for me; I always want to get up and go. If God doesn't answer my prayers right away, He doesn't care! Coming to this verse I realize that isn't true. God does care for me; He will renew my strength. If I "keep on keepin' on"--with God's help--through my life as a Christian I will neither faint nor be weary.
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Promise Fulfilled – Matthew 1:22-23
Matthew 1:22-23
22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,
23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
As you turn from the Old Testament to the New, a wonderful thing happens: things that were promised begin to come true. Here, we see a promise specifically mentioned in Isaiah 7:14 come to life in this first story of the New Testament. The coming of the Messiah was often looked for by the Jewish people. They waited...and waited...and waited some more. It probably looked bleak to many who had already given up all hope. But there was a promise. And finally, the promise was fulfilled.
I have to admit that it is easy to look at the way things are going in the world and get discouraged about the wickedness that abounds, even in churches. So much is said and done that does not honor the Lord. I wonder if persecution of believers in this country is right around the corner. At times, the prospect of God’s intervention might seem like something that is not likely to happen. But the promises of the Old Testament are not finished. Even the end of the New Testament, the book of Revelation, promises the final triumph of Jesus Christ. I as a Christian am on the winning side. The question is this: will I trust Him? Will I be patient?
I can imagine that it must have been difficult for year after year to pass without the Jews seeing their Messiah come. They wanted the Messiah to come earlier, and in a different way. But God knows best and always acts accordingly. He exists outside of time. He does what He wants, when He wants. And it is always best for His children to wait on Him.
Times will come when we will face discouragement. We will be tempted to give up on doing what is right, thinking that it will not really matter. We will have thoughts that God is not acting in the world on behalf of His people. At times like these, God’s people must rest...and wait...and rejoice in His promises. And we should also rejoice that He will accomplish His purpose in His time. So whenever you think about Jesus Christ as the baby in the manger, remember the promise behind that gift, and then cherish God’s promises to you.
22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,
23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
As you turn from the Old Testament to the New, a wonderful thing happens: things that were promised begin to come true. Here, we see a promise specifically mentioned in Isaiah 7:14 come to life in this first story of the New Testament. The coming of the Messiah was often looked for by the Jewish people. They waited...and waited...and waited some more. It probably looked bleak to many who had already given up all hope. But there was a promise. And finally, the promise was fulfilled.
I have to admit that it is easy to look at the way things are going in the world and get discouraged about the wickedness that abounds, even in churches. So much is said and done that does not honor the Lord. I wonder if persecution of believers in this country is right around the corner. At times, the prospect of God’s intervention might seem like something that is not likely to happen. But the promises of the Old Testament are not finished. Even the end of the New Testament, the book of Revelation, promises the final triumph of Jesus Christ. I as a Christian am on the winning side. The question is this: will I trust Him? Will I be patient?
I can imagine that it must have been difficult for year after year to pass without the Jews seeing their Messiah come. They wanted the Messiah to come earlier, and in a different way. But God knows best and always acts accordingly. He exists outside of time. He does what He wants, when He wants. And it is always best for His children to wait on Him.
Times will come when we will face discouragement. We will be tempted to give up on doing what is right, thinking that it will not really matter. We will have thoughts that God is not acting in the world on behalf of His people. At times like these, God’s people must rest...and wait...and rejoice in His promises. And we should also rejoice that He will accomplish His purpose in His time. So whenever you think about Jesus Christ as the baby in the manger, remember the promise behind that gift, and then cherish God’s promises to you.
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