Out of the ground the LORD God caused to grow every tree that is pleasing to the sight and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil...The LORD God commanded the man saying, "From any tree of the garden you may eat freely; but from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day you eat from it you will surely die." (NASB)
Man was not forbidden to eat from the tree of life - he was commanded not to eat from the tree that brought death. This is amazing. Adam chose death, eating from the tree which brought it about. The serpent tempted with the one forbidden thing and man took the bait.
Man continues to eat from the tree that costs much rather than eating freely from that which originally cost nothing. But God does not change. Be it moral relativism wherein each man does what is right in his own eyes, or religious systems that contradict what God has absolutely said (and written in blood) - God will not tolerate rebellion. And gloriously, the grace He supplies makes the fruit of rebellion far lest tempting, and the result of the tree from which Adam died is undone by the tree on which the second Adam died. Hallelujah!
Prayer
Lord, help me today to choose things which promote life - fruit of the Spirit of in full bloom. Do this Lord, for thy name's sake. Amen.
Monday, November 17, 2008
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Philippians 1:15-17 Either Way the Gospel!
15It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. 16The latter do so in love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. 17The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. (NIV)
Some were preaching Christ and proclaiming Him in part to encourage Paul in his imprisonment. Others did it from selfish ambition, adding to their sin by thinking that they could harass Paul in the process.
Our proclamation of the gospel affects other believers, it edifies and strengthens. The people wanting to encourage knew Paul was excited that his imprisonment was resulting in preaching and people being converted. This was worth it to Paul, and quite rewarding - even as he suffered.
Prayer
Lord, suffering can be grand, so your word says. By your grace, please guide me to suffer well and by it have occasion to proclaim the gospel, and grant me glad willingness to die for your sake - and live and love for your sake. Amen.
Some were preaching Christ and proclaiming Him in part to encourage Paul in his imprisonment. Others did it from selfish ambition, adding to their sin by thinking that they could harass Paul in the process.
Our proclamation of the gospel affects other believers, it edifies and strengthens. The people wanting to encourage knew Paul was excited that his imprisonment was resulting in preaching and people being converted. This was worth it to Paul, and quite rewarding - even as he suffered.
Prayer
Lord, suffering can be grand, so your word says. By your grace, please guide me to suffer well and by it have occasion to proclaim the gospel, and grant me glad willingness to die for your sake - and live and love for your sake. Amen.
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Romans 4:19-20 Unwaivering Faith
“He considered his own body to be already dead (since he was a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah’s womb, without weakening in the faith. He did not waiver in unbelief at God’s promise, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God.”
Faith is not the fruit of ignorance, but a consideration of the reality of things, and an attendant confidence that God will accomplish what He has purposed to in that reality. Abraham thought pretty hard of his old, decaying Adamic shell, and thereby greater contemplated the wonder of God to perform a work which defied natural biology, in both he and Sarah (who would laugh at the thought of it then rightly be ashamed).
How wonderful to think on the wonder of God—to consider His promises; while knowing that what He says He will do makes no sense to the natural, fleshly man that is at enmity with God. And, oh behold the fruit of the nations!
Prayer
Lord, is it so indeed that you can form me into the likeness of your only begotten? Will you surely give life to this mortal body; yea, and conquering life? Praise to you—you are doing that very thing! And I have contemplated my deadness and grab hold of the life you promise. Thank you. Amen
Faith is not the fruit of ignorance, but a consideration of the reality of things, and an attendant confidence that God will accomplish what He has purposed to in that reality. Abraham thought pretty hard of his old, decaying Adamic shell, and thereby greater contemplated the wonder of God to perform a work which defied natural biology, in both he and Sarah (who would laugh at the thought of it then rightly be ashamed).
How wonderful to think on the wonder of God—to consider His promises; while knowing that what He says He will do makes no sense to the natural, fleshly man that is at enmity with God. And, oh behold the fruit of the nations!
Prayer
Lord, is it so indeed that you can form me into the likeness of your only begotten? Will you surely give life to this mortal body; yea, and conquering life? Praise to you—you are doing that very thing! And I have contemplated my deadness and grab hold of the life you promise. Thank you. Amen
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Romans 9:3 - Willing to Lose
"For I could wish that I myself were accursed, separated from Christ for the sake of my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh,"
Paul expressed his desire to be accursed for his Jewish people. In this his desire is like that of the Lord, who "became a curse for us", as it is written, "cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree". Our Lord cried out at that moment the Father "bruised him for our iniquity" - to the death. Paul was taught by the Lord to sacrifice, to pour himself out for others, having loved God first.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, grant me the strength to carry my cross, as you did first, and then all those who call you Lord must do; that I may know you, the true God, better, and love you completely. Amen
Paul expressed his desire to be accursed for his Jewish people. In this his desire is like that of the Lord, who "became a curse for us", as it is written, "cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree". Our Lord cried out at that moment the Father "bruised him for our iniquity" - to the death. Paul was taught by the Lord to sacrifice, to pour himself out for others, having loved God first.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, grant me the strength to carry my cross, as you did first, and then all those who call you Lord must do; that I may know you, the true God, better, and love you completely. Amen
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Romans 8:15 - The Cry
"For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, "Abba! Father!"
It is nothing less than the joint witness of the Holy Spirit with our spirit that compels us to cry out to God as our abba or father--our sustainer, provider, creator, and savior. The spirit of the world does not provide such a co-witness with the human spirit, hence the joint witness of the spirit of the age and the spirit of man cries out to an unknown god. Indeed they do not cry out as if from a great need and dependence--but as masters over it, commanding and defining its non-existence.
Prayer
Praise the King-Jesus- for His spirit in the redeemed. Continue Lord to move us to cry out to you in utter dependence. Amen.
It is nothing less than the joint witness of the Holy Spirit with our spirit that compels us to cry out to God as our abba or father--our sustainer, provider, creator, and savior. The spirit of the world does not provide such a co-witness with the human spirit, hence the joint witness of the spirit of the age and the spirit of man cries out to an unknown god. Indeed they do not cry out as if from a great need and dependence--but as masters over it, commanding and defining its non-existence.
Prayer
Praise the King-Jesus- for His spirit in the redeemed. Continue Lord to move us to cry out to you in utter dependence. Amen.
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Luke 17:10 - Thankful and Unworthy
"So you too, when you do all the things which are commanded you, say, 'We are unworthy slaves; we have done only that which we ought to have done.'"
Jesus spoke those words to His disciples, words of instruction - words that would no doubt cause them and us to reflect on who we are in Christ before God. Let us be honest and confess that we rarely, if ever, do all that we should do in keeping with God's revealed will. More still, that which we actually do may indeed be tainted with a desire for reward. Man likes rewards and accolades but the desire for those things can destroy fellowship with God and one another. Let us embrace our position before God, for in Christ, though servants and slaves, yet we are sons and daughters. There is no greater reward than serving God.
Prayer
Lord, you know how we seek our own benefit all to often. We would have the humility of our brother, captain, shepherd and friend - Jesus. Help us to give thanks to you for doing what is best in your eyes and so not to impose our arrogance on our blessed union with you. Amen.
Jesus spoke those words to His disciples, words of instruction - words that would no doubt cause them and us to reflect on who we are in Christ before God. Let us be honest and confess that we rarely, if ever, do all that we should do in keeping with God's revealed will. More still, that which we actually do may indeed be tainted with a desire for reward. Man likes rewards and accolades but the desire for those things can destroy fellowship with God and one another. Let us embrace our position before God, for in Christ, though servants and slaves, yet we are sons and daughters. There is no greater reward than serving God.
Prayer
Lord, you know how we seek our own benefit all to often. We would have the humility of our brother, captain, shepherd and friend - Jesus. Help us to give thanks to you for doing what is best in your eyes and so not to impose our arrogance on our blessed union with you. Amen.
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Ezekiel 1:1 - Down by the River
"Now it came about in the thirtieth year, on the fifth day of the fourth month, while I was by the river Chebar among the exiles, the heavens were opened and I saw visions of God."
While God may certainly grab out attention and affection at any time, it is not unreasonable to expect to hear from Him during times of prayer and meditation. Ezekiel was in prayer "along the river" (where exiled Jews would go for worship) and there he saw his vision. God revealed amazing things to Ezekiel, surely He will open the eyes and ears of all those servants who worship Him in spirit and in truth.
Prayer
Lord, please visit Your servant in a very real way during out quiet times together and teach me what You will - for Your name and glory, and that I might know You better still, Amen.
While God may certainly grab out attention and affection at any time, it is not unreasonable to expect to hear from Him during times of prayer and meditation. Ezekiel was in prayer "along the river" (where exiled Jews would go for worship) and there he saw his vision. God revealed amazing things to Ezekiel, surely He will open the eyes and ears of all those servants who worship Him in spirit and in truth.
Prayer
Lord, please visit Your servant in a very real way during out quiet times together and teach me what You will - for Your name and glory, and that I might know You better still, Amen.
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