Humbling Thought

Romans 11 ²⁵Lest you be wise in your own sight, I want you to understand this mystery, brothers: a partial hardening has come upon Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.

God has intentionally made the hearts of his chosen people hard so that for a season, gentiles would have the opportunity to get in on the greatest act of grace and love the world will ever know.

It’s like this, some company’s offer their employees special benefits or if the company sells something they will give it to the employee at cost, or for a significant reduced rate. And then, that same company tells the employees that now that same deal is available for their friends, they don’t even need to be employees. Everyone gets a great deal.

God is in the business of saving lives, and he has offered that deal to whomever would receive it. Thank you God!

Fear This!

Proverbs 1:7 “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge;
fools despise wisdom and instruction.”

Fearing the Lord, Solomon wrote, is the beginning of knowledge. The fear of the Lord occurs 11 times in Proverbs (and “fear the Lord” occurs 4 times). “Beginning” is the Hebrew rē’šîṯ which means “the start.” One cannot gain knowledge of spiritual things if he begins at the wrong point, refusing to fear the Lord (i.e., to recognize God’s character and respond by revering, trusting, worshiping, obeying, and serving Him). Rē’šîṯ also means the capstone or essence. The essence of true knowledge is fearing God. Apart from Him a person is ignorant of spiritual things (Rom. 1:22; Eph. 4:18; 1 Peter 1:14). The words of Proverbs 1:7a are repeated in 9:10 near the end of the first section (also cf. Job 28:28; Ps. 111:10). Bible Knowledge commentary

Fear is a funny thing. When we first hear the word there is a negative vibe. Did you fear the dark, boys, girls, your closet, under your bed, your father, mother, teacher, death. We fear so many things…why? Maybe because we don’t fear the one thing…or person who deserves to be feared…God. Recently, my son Ethan and I were working in the back yard. We were digging up weeds. He has a big fear of spiders. I told him to get into the weeds and start pulling. He told me no, because he was scared that a spider would bite him. I told him to get in there are start pulling. He again said, No. So I explained to him that while a spider is a scary thing, he should fear me more by obeying me and trusting me that he wouldn’t get bit.

Fear is directly linked to trust. If you fear someone, it’s because you trust they have a certain pattern, and they will do what they say. If you were fearful of your dad, it’s because you trusted that when he said you would get a belt on your behind, he meant it. Fearing God ultimately is a trust issue. If you love him, and trust him, then you also fear him. You know that when he says there is a consequence for your sin, you can take that to the bank. So don’t say that we live in a New Testament world where we no longer need to fear God, that’s just not true. Fear is a great thing when you understand it and fear the one who is worthy to be feared.

God, I pray that today you would remind me that fearing you is the beginning of knowledge.

Consumed by Fire

“As soon as Solomon finished his prayer,^(B) fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices,^(C) and the glory of the LORD filled the temple. ²And the priests could not enter the house of the LORD, because the glory of the LORD filled the LORD’s house. ³When all the people of Israel saw the fire come down and the glory of the LORD on the temple, they bowed down with their faces to the ground on the pavement and worshiped and gave thanks to the LORD, saying, “For he is good,^(D) for his steadfast love endures forever.” 2 Chronicles 7

When I read these kinds of passages I always tend to say the same thing, “God, I wish you would still do this today so we could see your Glory.” God always tends to tell me the same thing, “You see my glory in your family, the people who love me that you work with, the changed lives, the kids who love me.” Way back then people were pretty messed up so it took fire from heaven to show God’s glory. So who is it around you that shows you God’s glory? Your wife, kids, parents, friends, who has the Glory of God upon them in your life?

A Father’s Vision for His Son

1 Kiings 1:1 “When David’s time to die drew near, he commanded Solomon his son, saying, ² “I am about to go the way of all the earth. Be strong, and show yourself a man, ³and keep the charge of the LORD your God, walking in his ways and keeping his statutes, his commandments, his rules, and his testimonies, as it is written in the Law of Moses,⁾ that you may prosper in all that you do and wherever you turn, ⁴that the LORD may establish his word that he spoke concerning me, saying, ‘If your sons pay close attention to their way, to walk before me in faithfulness with all their heart and with all their soul you shall not lack^[a] a man on the throne of Israel.’

As King David was dying he said some powerful words to his son to leave as a legacy and prayer. We see that he gave Solomon some vision for what he should become. This vision involved being strong, being a man, obeying God, walking in his ways, keeping his commands. It’s a vision that every father should lay out for his son.

I have two sons, Ethan and Tyler. I try to lay out vision for my sons every day. I try to teach them what a man is to become, what he looks like when he follows God, how he should act and how he should treat others. But I am encouraged to be more proactive in telling my sons who and what they are to become.

God, please remind me every day to cast vision for my sons. Let me have teachable moments with them every day that they will never forget!

With All My Heart

1 Chronicles 28: ⁹“And you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father and serve him with a whole heart and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches all hearts and understands every plan and thought. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will cast you off forever. ¹⁰Be careful now, for the LORD has chosen you to build a house for the sanctuary; be strong and do it.”

There is two keys we see here for Solomon to be in God’s will: Serve with a whole heart and a willing mind. It also says that we must search for him with all our heart.

What kinds of things do you do with all your heart? I usually put all my heart into the things I really like. I’ve been working on an old truck for a long time. When I get out there to do it I do it with all my heart. Everything I think about, dream about, and fall asleep thinking about can be driving that old truck one day. That is all my heart. I also love my wife and kids with all my heart. I love to be with them and talk with them and have fun together. That is done with all my heart. So now that I know what it looks like when I do something with all my heart I have a frame of reference to understand what it looks like when I seek God with all my heart.

Some days my heart is in it, but my mind is not, other days my mind is in it by my heart is not. Solomon was told to serve God with both heart and mind. Trying to get those two to work together can be tricky. But when we do, we reap something that God wants to give us…his will!

God, let my heart and mind be on you today!

He’s Coming Again!

“For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one another with these words.” Thessalonians 4

As a Christian I sometimes forget that He is coming again…soon. I live each day expecting to wake up and go to sleep, and then do it all again. But as we read today, He is coming soon and will take us away with Him. We do not know the time, but He is coming. This passage ends by saying “encourage one another with these words.” So here I am today, encouraging you to remember. The verses just prior to this passage reminds us how to live and act. To work with our hands and to love one another, and to not get caught up in sexual immorality.

I encourage you today in this way: If you have never asked Jesus Christ to be the Lord of your life, which means you give up your agenda and you pick up His agenda for you (you can find that in the Gospels-Matt, Mark, Luke, John) and begin living your life for him and others, do it today! And if you have done this then I encourage you today to share these passages with someone else today!

Prayer: God, let me never forget you are coming soon!

For You Fathers: Tell This To Your Sons!

Today I was reading 2 Samuel 23. There is this section towards the end that describes some of the most “manly” men ever! They served with David. These dudes were seriously tougher than Rambo, smarter than James Bond, and cooler than Brad Pitt. I mean these duds were MEN. They were might men of God.

A few days ago my son was upset because he was not allowed to go to a men’s breakfast. I had to explain to him that he was not considered a man yet, and that he had some growing and maturing to do. He asked me, “what makes a man?’ Yes, he asked the greatest question on the face of the planet. At first I just said the typical stuff like ” a man loves God, he takes care of those in need, he puts the needs of others before his own needs.” Then I was at the Iron Man’s breakfast and one of the leaders read a passage from Psalm 37. This is some of the stuff that was said and I think it applies to the traits of a man:

^{1 [a]} Do not fret because of evil men
or be envious of those who do wrong;

² for like the grass they will soon wither,
like green plants they will soon die away.

³ Trust in the LORD and do good;
dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.

⁴ Delight yourself in the LORD
and he will give you the desires of your heart.

⁵ Commit your way to the LORD;
trust in him and he will do this:

⁶ He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn,
the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.

⁷ Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him;
do not fret when men succeed in their ways,
when they carry out their wicked schemes.

⁸ Refrain from anger and turn from wrath;
do not fret—it leads only to evil.

⁹ For evil men will be cut off,
but those who hope in the LORD will inherit the land.

¹⁰ A little while, and the wicked will be no more;
though you look for them, they will not be found.

¹¹ But the meek will inherit the land
and enjoy great peace.

Now that is what a MAN is. This is a mighty man of God. Father’s tell your sons! Show them, teach them, be examples.

Who Knows?!?

Scripture Matthew 24: “No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son,^[f] but only the Father.

Observation: Jesus is telling his disciples that there will must be prepared for the day that HE comes back and judges the earth and all of its inhabitants. And when we are judged those who are considered righteous will be taking to heaven.

Application: Tonight I was reading this passage to my 6 year old son. I don’t know if I have ever seen his eyes so big. As I was watching him and explaining this passage to him I realized that God WILL be back soon, and I should have wide eyes too! It reminds me that I must make the most of every opportunity and I must be prepared by walking a life of obedience!

Prayer: God. remind me daily that you are coming soon!

We’re Gonna Party Like It’s 1999

Scripture: Matthew 22 says, “”Then he said to his servants, ‘The wedding banquet is ready, but those I invited did not deserve to come. ⁹Go to the street corners and invite to the banquet anyone you find.’ ¹⁰So the servants went out into the streets and gathered all the people they could find, both good and bad, and the wedding hall was filled with guests.”

Observation: Jesus is using a parable (earthly story with a heavenly meaning) as an opportunity to speak to both Jews and Gentiles. Here he tells the story of a King who was throwing a party. The people he originally invited (the chosen people) did not want to come. He was pretty upset about that so He invited anyone who was willing to listen. Some came, some did not. The point here is that everyone was invited. One man who showed up had not prepared himself and received the boot. This parable he all about eternity. Thank God, everyone is now invited to the party, but it’s up to you to decide if you want to come. If you decide to come, you need to prepare your heart and receive what the King wants to give you.

Application: It’s sometimes easy for me to take for granted what I have received through Jesus Christ…I have been invited to the party. I have received my invitation, I have put on my party clothes, and I will be received. My problem is that sometimes, even though I know I’m coming to the party, I don’t put on the wedding clothes. The description Jesus uses here is to describe someone who was invited and wanted to come, but did not prepare themselves. I know that Jesus through his grace has prepared me and made me right in God’s eyes, but I need to wake up daily and put on the wedding clothes so I look like I’m going to the party. Do I always look like I’m in the wedding party? Probably not. Paul reminds us that we must daily consecrate ourselves to God, which means we need to prepare ourselves to be used by God and to be made holy.

Prayer: God, what am I wearing today. I pray that when people see me they know I am yours and we will be in eternity with each other.

The Triumphal Entry to Death

Matthew 21 says, “The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. They brought the donkey and the colt, placed their cloaks on them, and Jesus sat on them. A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted,
“Hosanna to the Son of David!”
“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”

“Hosanna in the highest!”

When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?” The crowds answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”

Observation: On “Palm Sunday” we see Jesus entering Jerusalem being celebrated and loved by all the people. They were singing songs and praises to him. They called him the prophet and messiah. But only 5 days later, the very same people said “crucify Him!” They asked that a known murderer was on trial too, but they preferred to have Jesus crucified instead. So what was it that changed the minds of the people so quickly? They were deceived!

Application: What would you have done if you were there? Would you have been strong enough to stay with Jesus? One of his favorite disciples, Peter, denied him three times. So do you think that we could have stayed with him, or would we have denied him too? There is the problem. When we are deceived by Satan, we will believe anything, even if it’s wrong and we know it. We still do this today when we knowingly fall into sin. But thank God for his grace. So what is the lesson today? I think that the more we look to God in his word for truth, we will not so easily be deceived. Stay in the truth everyday!

Prayer: God, I pray that you help me to stay in your word so that I will know what is true, and be able to not become deceived by lies from the enemy.