In Him

Are you a self-made man? You know that they write books and give awards to the capitalist who started out poor, worked hard in his business, and then amassed a large fortune. Perhaps a self made man even gets his name on a building or two for some well placed philanthropy.

The Apostle Paul said if anyone had a reason to be proud of his own resume or accomplishments it was himself: born into the right family, attending the right school, a young charger in the religious elite of his day. But, he says he counts it all but garbage compared to knowing Jesus, and being found “In Him.”

In Colossians 2 it talks a lot about Jesus and us, when we are In Him:

• · In Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form
• · In Him are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge
• · In Him your were circumcised, buried with Him in baptism, raised with Him through faith to newness of life
• · In Him we are now being built up and established in the faith overflowing with gratitude
• · In Him you have been made complete
• · In Him we should walk

So, do you want the accolades of a “self made man” or do you want to be found “In Him?”

God As House-Builder

(This week's thought forwarded from God's Daily Promises. )

God as house-builder

"Unless the Lord builds a house, the work of the builders is useless. Unless the Lord protects a city, guarding it with sentries will do no good." Psalm 127:1 NLT

Unless the Lord builds the house

"Benjamin Franklin is best known for his inventions (lightning rod) and his aphorisms ("early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise"). But he was also a key figure when the thirteen colonies were giving birth to a new nation.

At the age of 81, Franklin was the oldest representative at the 1787 Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia. Weeks after the convention began, representatives were still haggling about the relative voting power of large states and small states. Then Franklin stood up and said,

"In the beginning of the contest with Britain, when we were sensible of danger, we had daily prayers in this room for the divine protection. Our prayers, sir, were heard and they were graciously answered.…Have we now forgotten this powerful Friend? Do we imagine that we no longer need his assistance? I have lived a long time, and the longer I live the more convincing proof I see of this truth, that God governs in the affairs of men.…We have been assured, sir, that 'except the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain that build it,' and without His concurring aid, we shall succeed in this political building no better than the builders of Babel."

The verse from Psalm 127 had its effect. A compromise was soon worked out, and a Constitution ratified by the states the following year.

adapted from The One Year® Book of Psalms with devotionals by William J. Petersen and Randy Petersen (Tyndale) entry for October 27

Content is derived from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation and other publications of Tyndale Publishing House

The Purpose of Trials

A hard question for non-believers and believers alike is, "Why do bad things happen to good people?" Why does Joni Erickson Tada have to go through life as a quadraplegic? Why does my son, Jonathan, also a believer, have to struggle with Crohn's disease? I'm not sure we'll fully understand this side of heaven. But, it's clear from scripture that God has purpose in suffering and trials. And, even Jesus is said to have learned obedience and demonstrated His perfection before His exaltation by suffering the passion and death on the cross.

This Grace To You podcast gives 8 potential purposes or positive results He can bring through allowing trials in our lives. and as Romans 8:28 says, "He works all things together for good, for those He loves and are called according to His purpose."

Enjoy, and let me know what you think...

10/15/2010 The Purpose of Trials

The Silent Witness

Over the years, I’ve heard people, actually people in church, make the following comments:

“We want to raise our kids in such a way that they can sample and discover on their own what they may choose to believe.”

“I have my own private belief, but I don’t feel I have the right to push my beliefs on someone else. I respect their right to believe what they want.”

“I’m not in to preaching at people. I just try to live my life so that I’m a silent witness to those around me.”

Do these comments sound politically correct to you? How about open mindedly tolerant? But are they Christian or Biblical positions?

1. Raise your kids in either a spiritual void or smorgasbord of ideas and let them choose as adults…

This is perhaps the most dangerous idea, and least biblical, as the bible says one key purpose for man is to raise up godly children to love and serve Him. Rather than letting babies figure life out for themselves, parents are supposed to proactively, and diligently nurture, train, and teach their children the truth of God.

Proverbs 22:6 Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.

Deuteronomy 6:5-7 Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.

2. You shouldn’t try to change someone else’s mind about what they want to believe…

The bible has a consistent theme of God, with the help of his followers speaking the truth and reaching out to lost man to bring them to repentance and relationship with Him. Here are some exhortations for believers.

Proverbs 24:11-12 Rescue those being led away to death; hold back those staggering toward slaughter. If you say, “But we knew nothing about this,” does not he who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not he who guards your life know it? Will he not repay each person according to what he has done?

2 Timothy 4:5 But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.

Acts 1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Matthew 28:18-20 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

3. Is a quiet faithful walk better than an outspoken witness?

Our walk should match our talk. And clearly, good behavior, obedience to authority, and acts of charity are encouraged for the believer. But, Christians are to be ready to tell others how to find the Savior.

1 Peter 3:15 But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,

Witnessing with gentleness and respect is not “preaching at people.”

Romans 10:14,15 How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”

By all means be on your good behavior and walk in a manner worthy of your calling. But, speak up in the marketplace of ideas. The enemy sure has his message out there. Don’t tell Jesus when you see Him that you were just trying to be a silent witness.