"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline." Proverbs 1:7
What does it mean to fear God? "God is, in your mind and heart so powerful, so holy, and so awesome that you would not dare to run from Him, but only run to Him." John Piper
Do I fear God?
Running to God means I trust Him and His ways. It means I will obey Him. I will take Him at His Word.
Running from God means I trust in myself and my own ways. It means I will disobey Him. I will not take Him at His Word.
A fear of God leads to right living. Not fearing God will lead me into sin.
"A right fear of the Lord is a preventative good. It prevents us from entering into sin, keeps us from nurturing sin, and drives us out of sin when we fall into it." (William Harrel, Immanuel Pres.)
Will I run to God or from Him today? How I respond to trial and temptation reveals if I am have a biblical fear of God!
"Now all has been heard, here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear
God and keep his commandments, for this the whole duty of man. For God
will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing,
whether it is good or evil." Ecc. 12:13-14
Monday, July 2, 2012
Monday, June 18, 2012
Isolation Leads to Death
"Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire; he breaks out against all sound judgment." Proverbs 18:1 (ESV)
"He WHO willfully separates and estranges himself [from God and man] seeks his own desire and pretext to break out against all wise and sound judgment." Proverbs 18:1 (Amplified Bible)
One of the greatest danger for any Christian is isolation and yet it's exactly what sin promotes and where it thrives. Invariably when a Christian falls into sin he will begin to pull back from other believers and even corporate worship. That is the exact OPPOSITE of what he needs. Christians NEED fellowship and community to stay rooted and grow!
Here are a few quotes from Steve Wilson's book Face to Face to consider:
"....sin isolates men from one another. Sin by its very nature is a proud, selfish insistence on going one's own way, and as such it cuts a man off from everyone around him.
"We are finite beings and therefore cannot be self-sufficient. We are utterly dependent upon others, and the longer we live, the more we feel this fact. He is a fool who thinks he can live by himself. It is impossible."
"...many people are attracted the the Romantic idea of escaping into the wilderness, living by themselves, and not depending on anyone else. It is attractive because God alone is self-sufficient, and every rebel wants to be like Him. There is something in the heart of sinful man which dislikes being indebted to anyone. If man is indebted, he is obligated to show his gratitude, and sinful man is not grateful. Instead, he wants everyone indebted to him."
"We need to be stirred up by others. We cannot live only under our own preaching, there are times when we need the words of others to provoke us to righteousness."
"All of life points to the necessity of holy communion with godly friends, and everywhere we look, isolation equals death. Physically, man in isolation will die a physical death. Covenantally, the man who rejects godly companions will perish, cut off from the people of God."
"Thus the ultimate fruition of sin--which is that ultimate expression of our selfishness, going our own way and isolating ourselves--is the isolation of hell. Hell is described in the Bible as exactly that: it is the outer darkness where there is no communion, where one is left utterly and completely alone.... It would be one degree of comfort to suffer with others., since at least there is some communion in that common suffering. But God says that hell is the place of no comfort at all."
Points to Ponder:
1. Are you isolating yourself?
2. If so, why? Is is shame, guilt, pride or selfishness?
3. What will you do today to pursue fellowship and community?
"He WHO willfully separates and estranges himself [from God and man] seeks his own desire and pretext to break out against all wise and sound judgment." Proverbs 18:1 (Amplified Bible)
One of the greatest danger for any Christian is isolation and yet it's exactly what sin promotes and where it thrives. Invariably when a Christian falls into sin he will begin to pull back from other believers and even corporate worship. That is the exact OPPOSITE of what he needs. Christians NEED fellowship and community to stay rooted and grow!
Here are a few quotes from Steve Wilson's book Face to Face to consider:
"....sin isolates men from one another. Sin by its very nature is a proud, selfish insistence on going one's own way, and as such it cuts a man off from everyone around him.
"We are finite beings and therefore cannot be self-sufficient. We are utterly dependent upon others, and the longer we live, the more we feel this fact. He is a fool who thinks he can live by himself. It is impossible."
"...many people are attracted the the Romantic idea of escaping into the wilderness, living by themselves, and not depending on anyone else. It is attractive because God alone is self-sufficient, and every rebel wants to be like Him. There is something in the heart of sinful man which dislikes being indebted to anyone. If man is indebted, he is obligated to show his gratitude, and sinful man is not grateful. Instead, he wants everyone indebted to him."
"We need to be stirred up by others. We cannot live only under our own preaching, there are times when we need the words of others to provoke us to righteousness."
"All of life points to the necessity of holy communion with godly friends, and everywhere we look, isolation equals death. Physically, man in isolation will die a physical death. Covenantally, the man who rejects godly companions will perish, cut off from the people of God."
"Thus the ultimate fruition of sin--which is that ultimate expression of our selfishness, going our own way and isolating ourselves--is the isolation of hell. Hell is described in the Bible as exactly that: it is the outer darkness where there is no communion, where one is left utterly and completely alone.... It would be one degree of comfort to suffer with others., since at least there is some communion in that common suffering. But God says that hell is the place of no comfort at all."
Points to Ponder:
1. Are you isolating yourself?
2. If so, why? Is is shame, guilt, pride or selfishness?
3. What will you do today to pursue fellowship and community?
Blogging to Remember
I have gone back and forth in my mind as to why I should keep this blog. I have been on the verge of shutting it down on a number of occasions for several reasons....
But in the end, I have decided to keep my blog for mostly one reason. I have so many thoughts going through my head, some of them even interesting, but I forget them all so quickly! So, I have decided to blog to keep my thoughts in a safe a place. If you happen to read it, I pray you will benefit from it too! If no one reads it, at least I will have a way to remember the things I keep forgetting!
- I never write anything.
- If I did write something, who would seriously want to read it?
- Even when I want to write something, I cannot seem to find the time.
- And if I have the time, I drive myself crazy trying to get the blog "perfect" in content and grammar. I am not a perfectionist about anything but writing!!!
But in the end, I have decided to keep my blog for mostly one reason. I have so many thoughts going through my head, some of them even interesting, but I forget them all so quickly! So, I have decided to blog to keep my thoughts in a safe a place. If you happen to read it, I pray you will benefit from it too! If no one reads it, at least I will have a way to remember the things I keep forgetting!
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
He Loves Me!
Last week I had the privilege of babysitting for a friend's one year old son. Talk about adorable: pudgy cheeks, squishy thighs, and the cutest little dimpled bottom. I was captivated by this little guy the entire night. As I watched him closely, I was struck by several thoughts:
“I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness." Jeremiah 31:3
- We are image bearers of the Living God; we are made to resemble Him. God gives us a tangible picture of "image bearing" through our own children.They resemble us! I was enthralled as I watched this little guy who was a little bit mother and father in his looks and mannerisms. And, no doubt, the family resemblance will continue to grow as he grows. It is mind boggling to contemplate that God allows you and me to take an active part in creation. He didn't have to include us, but He knew first hand the joy that would be ours.
- Family resemblance is another theme that jumped out at me. Children look like their parents. God's children should look like Him. I should have a growing resemblance to our Heavenly Father. In fact, this resemblance is one of they main ways I know His love is upon me.
- I studied my little friend as he ate, played, and bathed. I was fascinated by his private conversations and his personal discoveries. I am reminded of the way God watches and delights over His children.
- I was constantly watchful of my little friend not wanting him to fall or even stumble. I was aware of the security measures taken by his diligent parents to ensure his safety. I am reminded that God's security measures, the commands of Scripture, speak of his love for me and His desire to protect me.
“I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness." Jeremiah 31:3
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