God and injustice

DAILY BIBLE READING:

Isaiah 57:15–59:21 
Philippians 1:1-26 
Psalm 71:1-24 
Proverbs 24:9-10

TODAY'S BIBLE VERSE(S):

Isaiah 59:15-16 (NLT) "... The LORD looked and was displeased to find there was no justice. He was amazed to see that no one intervened to help the oppressed. So he himself stepped in to save them with his strong arm, and his justice sustained him."
REFLECTIONS ON TODAY'S BIBLE VERSE(S):

We serve a big God. He does whatever He pleases (Psalm 115:3) and nothing can stop Him (Job 42:2). If God weren't such a loving God (1 John 4:8,16), we would have legitimate reason to be terrified of Him. But, because He loves us so much, we have reason to "fear" (stand in awe) of Him. We can love Him because He first loved us (1 John 4:19). 

So, each morning is an invitation to wake up and enjoy another day with our God. Regardless of what the day brings, we can enjoy relationship with Him knowing He's fully in control of all things and loves us immensely.

But, if we aren't careful, we will read through those previous paragraphs and think that our relationship with God is self-centered. It is ultimately for our therapy. It makes us feel good as an end in itself. 

And that would be so far from the truth.

God is not 'man-centered.' He is 'God-centered.' Each day is an opportunity to discover what God is doing and join Him in that activity.

Well, what is God up to? As we enjoy Him today, what might He be doing around us? In my Bible reading a few moments ago, I came across an answer to those questions.

Isaiah 59:15-16 (NLT) "... The LORD looked and was displeased to find there was no justice. He was amazed to see that no one intervened to help the oppressed. So he himself stepped in to save them with his strong arm, and his justice sustained him."

One of the things God might be doing around you today is to seek justice for those who are oppressed. Whether it is a fellow student who is being bullied, or an elderly parent who got scammed by a salesman, or someone who is mistreated because of the color of their skin.

Wherever injustice can be found, you can be sure that God is looking for someone to intercede.

Now, Christians typically don't fight for our own rights. We follow Jesus' example (Philippians 2:3-8) and periodically give up our rights for the benefit of others. But, when it comes to other people whose rights have been violated - well, that's a different matter.

Friend, if you see injustice today, ask yourself what God might be doing in that situation. With your mind informed by regular intake of Scripture, ask what God might desire to happen in that situation. And then ask what He might desire to do through you to intercede on behalf of the oppressed.

If you do this, you will be moving away from a 'me-centered' theology to one that is 'God-centered' and 'others-centered.' These are much more biblical and are the essence of the two greatest commandments (Matthew 22:34-40).

Enjoying God

DAILY BIBLE READING:

Isaiah 30:12–33:9 
Galatians 5:1-12 
Psalm 63:1-11 
Proverbs 23:22

TODAY'S BIBLE VERSE(S):

Psalm 63:1-4 (ESV) "O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and glory. Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you. So I will bless you as long as I live; in your name I will lift up my hands."

REFLECTIONS ON TODAY'S BIBLE VERSE(S):

I have chosen a larger than normal passage for our Verses for Today. Each verse was so special that I just couldn't decide which one to leave out. So, I included them all.

Essentially, the Psalmist is speaking of how much he craves and enjoys his God. Just like someone who is dying of thirst would crave water, so he craved to enjoy his God.

But he's more specific than that. There is a concrete, objective reason why he enjoys his God so much. In verse 2, the writer recounts how he has meditated on his God in the sanctuary and been overwhelmed with thoughts of God's power and glory. In verse 2, the writer acknowledges that thinking about and experiencing God's love for him is better than anything life has to offer.

These are just some of the reasons why the Psalmist is enjoying his God.

Friend, are you enjoying God? Do you crave Him like someone craves water who is dying of thirst? Do you meditate on His attributes (power, glory, love, etc.)?

Christianity certainly has it's God-given aspects of religion. But, ultimately, it is a relationship! It is an invitation into a relationship with the God who made us. And that relationship will never, ever reach a point where we grow bored of it. There is always more of God to learn about and enjoy.

So, today, reengage in the adventure. Know and enjoy your God. He's been reaching out to you and simply waiting on you to reach back.

Enjoying a divine relationship

DAILY BIBLE READING:

1 Chronicles 9:1–10:14 
Acts 27:21-44 
Psalm 8:1-9 
Proverbs 18:23-24

BIBLE VERSE(S) FOR TODAY:

Proverbs 18:24 (CSB) "One with many friends may be harmed, but there is a friend who stays closer than a brother."

REFLECTIONS ON TODAY'S BIBLE VERSE(S):

Our Verse for Today was written in the Old Testament. King Solomon only knew tidbits about the coming Messiah.

He knew that the Messiah would sit on his father David's throne.

He knew that the kingdom would have no end.

But, he did not know his name would be Jesus.

He also did not realize that the Mighty Warrior would also be a dear friend "who stays closer than a brother."

So, Proverbs 8:24 was not initially intended to speak about Jesus. Solomon did not have Jesus in mind when he included this verse in the book written to his son for his instruction.

Yet, as New Testament saints, we realize that ALL of the Bible (properly understood) is about Jesus. If we look carefully enough we will see Jesus not only on the pages of the New Testament but all over the pages of the Old Testament (see John 5:39).

As we look at Proverbs 18:24, it could not be more clear that God had Jesus in mind when this verse was written.

Proverbs 18:24 (CSB) "One with many friends may be harmed, but there is a friend who stays closer than a brother."

Further, this reminds us of the New Testament truth - that God doesn't want us to go about doing religious things so much as He wants us to enter into relationship with Him so we can enjoy Him as He enjoys us.

It's all about relationship. And, if we are Jesus-followers, Jesus is our friend that "stays closer than a brother."

So, enjoy relationship with Jesus today. Speak with Him in prayer and listen to Him in His Word. And realize that obeying Him is essential to experiencing the joys of the relationship.

John 15:14 (CSB) "You are my friends if you do what I command you."

So, enjoy this relationship today. God is calling out to you to participate in the most loft of relationships that meets our deepest needs. And He's waiting on you. Will you enjoy Him today?

What does it mean to be saved?

DAILY BIBLE READING:

2 Samuel 13:1-39
John 17:1-26 
Psalm 119:81-96 
Proverbs 16:6-7

BIBLE VERSE(S) FOR TODAY:

John 17:3 (CSB) "This is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and the one you have sent - Jesus Christ."

REFLECTIONS ON TODAY'S BIBLE VERSE(S):

If I were to ask you, "What does it mean to be saved?", what would you say?

Some would say: "It means that I'm forgiven of my sins."

Others would say: "It means that I get to go to Heaven when I die."

And, in modern day, watered-down Christianity, that might be the extent of it. Too many believe that salvation simply means that we get cleaned up and get a free ticket to Heaven when we die.

But, in our Verse for Today, Jesus said something absolutely profound. He tells us exactly what salvation is (a.k.a. eternal life).

John 17:3 (CSB) "This is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and the one you have sent - Jesus Christ."

According to Jesus, eternal life (a.k.a. salvation) is being invited into relationship with God the Father and God the Son.

The word "know" in our verse for today is an interesting word in the original language of the New Testament (Greek). It's the Greek word "ginosko" and it never simply means a head knowledge. It always speaks of a heart knowledge. It refers to an intimate relationship with what someone has come to know.

We know the difference, don't we? As a young boy, I was walking through a cow pasture. I came upon a fence that had a live wire running through it to keep the cows inside the perimeter. I knew (head knowledge) that touching the wire would give me an unpleasant jolt. But, curiosity got the best of me. I reached out my finger and touched it. The shock I received was quick and powerful and I yanked my hand back. All of a sudden, I didn't want to touch that electrified fence again because I knew (heart knowledge) that it actually hurt.

A head knowledge is knowing the facts. A heart knowledge is coming into an experience with those facts.

Regarding our relationship with God, a head knowledge is knowing facts about Him. A heart knowledge is actually coming into a meaningful relationship with Him where we can truly say that we are experiencing God. He's not just a God "out there somewhere." He is a vibrant part of our life.

Jesus has told us in our Verse for Today that salvation is an invitation and a growing experience (a heart knowledge) in our relationship with our God.

So, what about you, friend? Is your knowledge of God simply a list of facts? Or are you enjoying Him when you listen to Him as you read His Word, and talk to Him when you pray, and live the moments of your day with an awareness of His presence with you?

He wants for you to experience so much more than the knowledge that your sins are forgiven and you are on your way to Heaven. He wants you to experience Him. After all, that's what salvation is all about.

Enjoying God and others

DAILY BIBLE READING:

2 Samuel 7:1–8:18 
John 14:15-31 
Psalm 119:33-48 
Proverbs 15:33

BIBLE VERSE(S) FOR TODAY:

John 14:23 (CSB) "Jesus answered, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him."

REFLECTIONS ON TODAY'S BIBLE VERSE(S):

Probably the greatest human need is for relationship. We long to love and be loved by others.

In God's work of Creation in Genesis 1-2, we read that the Lord kept pronouncing everything "good." Yet, when He created Adam and before He created Eve, He acknowledged Adam's lack of relationship as "not good."

Genesis 2:18 (CSB) "Then the Lord God said, 'It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper corresponding to him.'"

So, even in the perfect utopia known as the Garden of Eden, before sin entered the world, where Adam was free to enjoy God, it was still acknowledged that Adam needed a human relationship - in his particular case, a wife.

But, the interesting truth is that it wasn't good that man only had God, he needed a human relationship. But, once Adam sinned and took his wife out of Eden and away from the unbroken relationship with God, loneliness became his plight.

Principle: We need a relationship with God and others. We need to have our hearts satisfied in a relationship with God in order to enjoy others. And having our need for relationship met by others (church, family, etc.) enables us to enjoy God's presence all the more.

The greatest commandment (love God will everything we've got) enables us to obey the second greatest commandment (love others as we love ourselves) and vise versa (see Matthew 22:35-40).

In our Verse for Today, God tells us that for those who love Him and demonstrate it by doing what He says, the Trinity will take up residence inside of him. Relationship and union cannot get any closer or more intimate than that! God lives inside of those of us who are Jesus-followers!

So, there are two truths to be enjoyed from this verse:

1) Enjoy the relationship with God that He is offering to you. Enjoy it so much that you are overflowing with joy.

2) Then, you will be more emotionally healthy and suited to enjoy relationship with others.

God really does understand us. He knows of our need for relationship. It's met in Him and in others. And He has provided the way for us to enjoy them.

Working for Reconciliation

TODAY'S BIBLE READING:

Exodus 4:1–5:21

Matthew 18:1-20

Psalm 22:19-31

Proverbs 5:15-21

BIBLE VERSE(S) FOR TODAY:

Matthew 18:15-17 "If another believer sins against you, go privately and point out the offense. If the other person listens and confesses it, you have won that person back. But if you are unsuccessful, take one or two others with you and go back again, so that everything you say may be confirmed by two or three witnesses. If the person still refuses to listen, take your case to the church. Then if he or she won’t accept the church’s decision, treat that person as a pagan or a corrupt tax collector."

REFLECTIONS ON TODAY'S BIBLE VERSE(S):

Forgiving someone who has hurt us is often incredibly difficult. Sometimes, it seems impossible!

The difficulty is often found in the depth of the pain - we simply don't want to be hurt again so we avoid the one who injured us. Yet, the problem is virtually always compounded by our own pride - "How dare you treat me that way! I'll make you pay for what you did to me!"

So, we hold onto wrongs done to us. We justify maintaining a state of unforgiveness in our sinful heart. In doing so, we willfully refuse to comply with the command given to us by God in Romans 12:18 where it says: "Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone."

The end result is impotent individuals and impotent churches. Nothing of eternal value will happen because God has withheld His hand of blessing. Further, the lost world is not drawn to Jesus because they see us at odds with each other and fail to see how He makes a difference in our lives.

So what is the remedy? How do we make things right?

In this morning's reading, we come across Matthew 18:15-17. Jesus gives us the step-by-step process by which we seek to make things right. If someone has hurt us, then Jesus puts the ball in our court. If we are the offended party, we are the ones commanded to take action.

But before beginning this process, we must realize that the ultimate goal of Jesus' instruction is restoration, not 'in your face' confrontation. This process (Matthew 18:15-17) immediately follows the Parable of the Lost Sheep (Matthew 18:10-14). In this previous parable, the goal was to find the wayward lost sheep and to bring it back - just as someone who has hurt us deeply should be found and brought back to a place where the relationship can be healed and restored.

So, what are the steps when someone hurts you? (And we're talking about the big stuff, here - not the small things that we simply need to get over. We should never wear a chip on our shoulder daring others to knock it off.)

Step 1:

Go to the that person privately (Matthew 18:15). Don't bring anyone into the ordeal (certainly don't gossip). Pray before you speak with them and go with an attitude of humility. Let them know of the wrong that was committed and give them an opportunity to repent (confess, apologize, commit to never do it again).

Step 2:

If they don't respond positively, we are to take it to the next step and bring 1-2 neutral witnesses / arbitrators (Matthew 18:16). The purpose of these witnesses is not to "gang up" on the one who refuses to make things right. Instead, their purpose is to witness the interaction and to encourage reconciliation. If the matter isn't resolved and it goes to the next step, they can inform the church of what they saw and heard.

Step 3: 

If they don't respond positively, we are to take it to the next step and tell the church (Matthew 18:17). The purpose of this would be to get the church to pray for the wayward sinner - the one who has wronged us and refuses to make it right. Also, the church (now informed of the problem) would, through the pastor(s) or deacons, look for a way to resolve the issue. They would send someone to the guilty party who would seek to bring about reconciliation.

Step 4: 

If they don't respond positively to the church, the church takes it to the next and final step: "treat that person as a pagan or a corrupt tax collector." Essentially, treat them like someone who is on their way to Hell and needs to be saved. Why? Because saved people don't act like this.

It is unfortunate that too many of us hold onto hurts. We not only refuse to work to make  things right, we may also periodically bring others into it by way of gossip and only compound the problem. All the while, Satan laughs and lost people remain unconvinced that Jesus really does change lives.

So, commit to the pattern Jesus has given to us. If someone commits a major offence against you, work toward reconciliation. It will be tough. Sometimes it won't end well. But, sometimes we will experience joy as relationships once characterized by hurt feelings can be replaced by friendships that bring us joy.

And God will be glorified! Why? Well, if for no other reason, we will have done what He's really good at:

Ephesians 4:32 "Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you."

A cure for loneliness

One emotional response common to virtually every single one of us is loneliness. If we get to a point where we feel neglected or abandoned by others, we can slip into that horrible emotion of feeling like we're all alone in a big world.

Those who struggle with loneliness don't have to stay there. There are actions that can be taken that can help greatly.

For one, do the hard but rewarding thing by developing relationships with other people. A church is a fantastic place to build those relationships. If your church is large, then you absolutely must find a small group (e.g. Sunday School, etc.) and spend time getting to know the folks around you. Do things with them outside of church, too. Limiting relationship-building to one day a week just won't satisfy. But, if you do the hard work, you may find that your loneliness will soon begin to dissipate.

Another remedy for loneliness is found in a verse I read only moments ago. As I was reading through John 16, I watched in my mind's eye as Jesus began to forewarn His disciples about the troubles ahead. He would be crucified, the lost world would celebrate and Jesus' followers would begin to experience tough times of persecution.

But, Jesus also noted that during His trial and crucifixion, His disciples "will be scattered" (John 16:32). When times got tough, Jesus would be abandoned. He would be left alone. Talk about a recipe for loneliness!

How did Jesus survive being all alone when life was crashing in around Him?

John 16:32 (English Standard Version)

Jesus said: "Behold, the hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home, and will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone, for the Father is with me."

Jesus was able to enjoy and benefit from the relationship with His Father (through the primary disciplines of Bible-intake and prayer) in spite of the fact that everyone had abandoned Him. There was no loneliness even though He was alone ... because He wasn't truly alone. He was enjoying fellowship with God.

This remedy is only possible to those who have trusted in Jesus to forgive and save them and who have developed a real, vibrant relationship with the Lord. But, to those who have pursued Him, this is simply one of the incredible benefits!

Sermon (video): "The Incredible Spirit-Filled Life" (Ephesians 5:18-21)

Ephesians 5:18 commands every follower of Jesus to be filled with the Spirit.

Ephesians 5:22 and following provide instruction for how to behave in our relationships regarding husbands and wives, parents and children, employees and employers, (and, by extension, virtually ever other relationship).

In between those two sections, God's Word tells us how being filled with the Holy Spirit helps us to glorify God in our relationships. It provides three character traits that are evident in every Spirit-filled person.

To view the sermon, simply click here.

Sermon (video): New-Life Relationships 101 (Ephesians 4:25-32)

The Bible is filled with instruction regarding how we are to live. Yet, as I illustrated in the Introduction to this sermon, a true follower of Jesus desires to follow these instructions. God's Word is not perceived as a boring book filled with senseless rules intended to make our lives miserable. No! It is seen as a manual to help us live the way that God desires and that we can enjoy.

In Ephesians 4:25-32, it specifically tells us how we are to behave if we are to enjoy wonderful relationships within the life of a church. And even more specifically, it tells us what habits we need to get rid of and what habits we need to develop in order to replace the old ones.

To access the sermon video, click here. To access online notes for this sermon, click here.

This sermon was preached at Westside Baptist Church in Murray, Kentucky on August 10, 2014.