God is love...

Last week during class we got on the topic of God is love.  I think when most people think of God, they think about the following definitions from Merriam-Webster:

(1)   A strong affection for another arising out of kinship or personal ties.

(2)   Affection based on admiration, benevolence, or common interest.

But I think we need to expand our definition to two other ones that were given:

(1)   Unselfish loyal and benevolent concern for the good of another.

(2)   The fatherly concern of God for humankind.

Concern – that is what I think of when I think of God.  His concern for me!  That concern though is not all about hugs and kisses and pats on the head.  That concern is about whether or not I am on the right path, and what is best for me.  God wants to see us safe and secure.  He wants to be with us for eternity so He wants us to do what is right.

Imagine a child who only receives praise and hugs and kisses.  What do you see?  I see a brat.  Someone who has no self-control and who throws a temper-tantrum because they do not get their way.  Someone who has no friends and someone who others do not want to be around.  

Imagine a child who receives praise and hugs and kisses, but also receives correction and criticism.  What do you see?  I see a child who is loved, one who has friends and one who is willing to reach out to others.  One who sees beyond themself.  One who has a successful future.  One who is happy no matter what life throws their way.

Which child would you want to be?  Which life would you want?  What parent could you truly love in return?  God is the parent of child number two.  He only wants what is best for us, best for now and best for eternity.  So yes God is love – love of hugs and kisses and the love of concern for wanting only the best for His children.

Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love (I John 4:8).

Laughter from God...

Anger:  Strong feelings of displeasure or hostility

Submission: Voluntary yielding to another

Humbled:  Not proud or arrogant; having a spirit of submission

(definitions from the Life Application Bible Dictionary/Concordance p2308, 2367, 2337)

These are three words that as humans we do not like in our lives.  Some feel that anger is wrong.  We should always be love and peace.  Submission must mean that we allow ourselves to be a doormat by someone.  And humble – Oh, we must be weak, a pushover.  But all three of these words show great strength in a Christian’s life.  All three of these make us more like Christ because these are things He showed in His life also.

Let me tell you how these three things led to joy, laughter and peace in my day today.   There are things going on in my church that I get upset and angry about.  The feelings I have over those things make me look for reasons not to go to church, they make me angrier when I get there and they make me physically ill.  I don’t know what I can do except pray.  So today while I prepared for church I prayed and I asked God to use me today, to be with me, to help me get through and to focus on Him.  Before I got out of the car at church, I prayed again and asked God to let those things that anger me to pass away, to help me focus on Him and to use me for His purpose.  Well, today God took that anger.  Not only did He take it but He replaced it.  He replaced it with laughter and peace.  When things began that I would have been fuming over in the past, God changed my focus away from that thing and placed it on Him.

Our mouths are filled with laughter,
Our tongues with songs of joy.
Then it was said among the nation,
“The Lord has done great things for them.”
The Lord has done great things for us,
And we were filled with joy. (Psalm 126:2-3)

 A time to weep and a time to laugh,
A time to mourn and a time to dance (Ecclesiastes 3:4)

 I would not have experienced this though if I had not humbled myself and voluntarily yielded (submitted) to God.  My focus would have been on earthly things not on God, and I would have missed out on a great gift from God.  And there is nothing more cleansing or refreshing then a good laugh from God.

Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up. (James 4:10)

The Need for the Baptism...

“Wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about.  For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit” (Acts 1:4-5).  This was the command Jesus gave to His disciples before He gave them the Great Commission.  Jesus said “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” (Acts 1:8).  Jesus did not just hand the disciples a job to do.  He also left them the tool and power to do the job and to do it right.

If the baptism of the Holy Spirit was not important then why did Jesus make it a command?  It seems to me that if He was saying ‘Hey, this power is available if you want it; if not don’t worry about it,’ then He would not have commanded His followers to receive it.  So to me this must be pretty important and something we need to pursue.

I guess the other question is do we need the empowerment of the Spirit today?  My answer would be yes, but am I alone?  Over the last several months I have heard people say things like the baptism in the Holy Spirit is not important, people still do good works without it, people still have active ministries without it, it is only a formality, etc.  I know people can do good works and God’s work without the baptism of the Holy Spirit but could you imagine how much greater they could be with that power working in them?  How much greater their ministry could be?

As far as I can tell our mission or commission has not changed since the early church.  We are to still share the good news of Jesus Christ with the world, reach out to those in need, and shine our light for those who are lost.  Why, if our mission is the same, should we feel that we do not need the same Helper, the same power, as those who actually met and lived and studied under our Lord and Savor Jesus Christ?  To me, we need that same power.  To me, witout it is like going into battle without ammunition or the correct ammunition.

Baptism in the Holy Spirit with Evidence...

I believe that the Bible is the inspired word of God.  I do not believe that it is just a collection of stories and illustrations that were assembled as a book for people to read.  I believe that the words, ideas, thoughts and history were given to the authors to write down by God.  In those words, God gives hope, encouragement, guidance and wisdom.  It is in those words that I look for the way God wants me to live my life.

In my last post I said that we started a new class.  This one is on evangelism.  We are starting the study by looking at and comparing the Great Commission as it is written in the four gospels and Acts.  At the end of the lesson we discussed how in Luke and John’s accounts the Lord commands us to receive the empowerment of the Holy Spirit.  We as humans do not have the power to complete the work God has for us to do, so He has sent a Helper to us.  We need to accept that Helper through the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

Near the end of our discussion, we became slightly sidetracked over a misunderstanding about the baptism in the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues.  This is mentioned several times in the Bible.  On the day of Pentecost as described in Acts 2:4, “All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.”  When Peter was at Cornelius’s house in Acts 10:23-46.  “While Peter was speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message.  The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles.  For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God” (Acts 10:44-46).  

Peter also says in Acts 11:15-17, “As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit came on them as he had come on us at the beginning.  Then I remembered what the Lord had said: ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ So if God gave them the same gift as he gave us, who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to think that I could oppose God?”  In this passage Peter was explaining his actions at Cornelius’s house.  And he stated that those there were baptized with the Holy Spirit just as the believers were in Acts 2:4.

If the inspired word of God (aka the Bible) gives us these examples of how the baptism of the Holy Spirit occurred in the early church, why would it be any different for us today?  Hebrews 13:8 says “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”  If He does not change, why would He change the gift He gave during the gospel times to something else today?  Why would He not allow us the same experience?  And as with those on the day of Pentecost, why wouldn't God give me an outward sign or evidence that I too have received the baptism of the Holy Spirit?

Prepared?

Two weeks ago I got word that the textbooks for our new class were in and I could pick mine up at church the next morning.  I was so excited.  I had trouble sleeping that night because I could not wait to pick it up.  I was giddy with anticipation.  (You can stop laughing.  I am not that crazy or weird)  I love to learn!  Don't just say well you should since you are a teacher.  Because I know many teachers who feel they have their degree so their learning is over.  But that is so untrue.  We learn from everything and everyone around us.


So, I love to learn, and I love books.  They are like friends.  You read them and get to know them.  You can revisit them to review or learn something new.  My point is I am excited because I have a new book.


This new book will open up a new world and teach me new ideas.  It will help prepare me for things to come.  And most of all it will help me grow closer to God.


Part of growing closer to God means preparing for the work He had for you to do.  I do not know where God is leading me right now.  Maybe I will remain where I am and do what I am doing.  Either way I want to be prepared for where God leads me or for what questions I am asked.  I will still rely on the guidance of the Holy Spirit and whatever other help God sends my way.  But I want to have the relationship and arsenal God needs in me so I am prepared to follow.


Peter tells us "Therefore prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed" (1 Peter 1:13).  And in 1 Peter 3:15, he says, " 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..."  Both verses say to be prepared.  How can you do this without opening a book to study?


A year ago, I was studying for the final exam for my second class.  I had read the text and answered all the objectives and questions.  To help me prepare, I made flashcards to quiz myself over and over.  The day of the final, I was on a school bus returning from a field trip. To pass the time I was running through my flashcards again.  One of my colleagues saw what I was doing and asked about it.  I explained about the class and we talked for a little while about it.  She then said to me that she didn't have time for that besides she would rather go to church and have the preacher tell her what she needed to know.  I could not believe it.  How does she know they are teaching her the right thing?  How will she develop a relationship with God if she does not spend time?  How will she be prepared?

Let Your "Yes" Mean Yes...

When I was growing up we would try to get my mom to make promises. Not for anything important but for childish things like could we go somewhere, have a friend spend the night over the weekend, or would she do something for us.  But she would never make a promise because she said she would not want to break her word if something happened and she could not follow through on her promise.  She always said we would try or she would do her best to do something.  Her example helped to teach me the value of words and better yet the value of your word.


Jesus taught about making promises and vows in Matthew 5:33-37.

Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not break your oath, but fulfill to the Lord the vows you have made.'  But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all: either by heaven for it is God's throne; or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King.  And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black.  All you need to say is simply 'Yes' or 'No,' anything beyond this comes from the evil one.

This topic is also mentioned in James 5:12.  "Above all, my brothers, do not swear - not by heaven or by earth or by anything else.  Let your "Yes" be yes, and your "No" be no, or you will be condemned."  Jesus and James are not saying that you should not make promises or vows, but that you should not make them lightly.  Sometimes in life we have to make promises - when we marry, for our job... We should give these matters a lot of prayer, thought and study before making that commitment.  We should not make promises we know we cannot or are not willing to keep.  


Keeping promises is important because it builds trust and relationships with those around us.  It makes it harder for others to believe us when we break promises and we do not keep our word.  According to the Life Application Bible (p2098) "By avoiding lies, half-truth, and omissions of the truth, you will become known as a trustworthy person."


So that leaves me with one last thought.  If you take on the role or title of a job when you do not fully believe in ALL that role or title include, are you keeping the promise you made?  Are you a trustworthy person?  Does your "Yes" mean yes and your "No," no?

I Hate It Here...

According to the Life Application Bible’s dictionary, hate means “dislike or detest; strong emotional aversion; detestable.”  That is how I feel about where I live.  I hate it here because it is cold, rainy (that is an understatement) and for much of the year it is either dark and/or gloomy (an average of 226 cloudy days per year).  When there has been five minutes of sun, people run outside or to the window just for the simple pleasure of feeling the sun on their face.  I was born and raised in sunnier states.  I never thought I would say it, but there are times I even miss living in southern Florida. 

I have learned though, through the twenty-one years that I have lived here to look for way to be content and at times happy.  Philippians 4:13 had become one of my favorite Bible verses but I believe you need to back it up a little and include Philippians 4:11-13.  Paul said in these verses

I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.  I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty.  I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.  I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

I have found contentment in where God has placed me.  I have found that through Christ I have the strength to get out of bed.  I have the strength to make it through the day when I go to work and come home from work in the dark.  I have the strength to make it through over 100 days of rain.  I have also learned that when I feel that strength dwindling God will send someone or something along to encourage me and to renew my strength.  Psalm 40:31 says

but those who hope in the Lord
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
They will run and not grow weary,
They will walk and not be faint.

Today was one of those days.  God gave us a day of sun, beautiful fluffy white clouds, and beautiful clear blue sky.  It was a day that I truly appreciated because of those days of rain.  I try to take advantage of those days; to be refreshed and renewed.  To take the time to observe God’s wonderful creation and to spend time just thanking Him for all He gives and all He does for me.  For giving me strength to make it through the rain and the renewal of that strength through the sun and better yet through His Son. 

And this allows me to say as David did in Psalm 9:1

I will praise you, O Lord, with all my heart;
I will tell of all your wonders;
I will be glad and rejoice in you,
I will sing praises to your name, O Most High.

So if you are in a situation you dislike, detest or simply just hate, you need to look for ways to find happiness, joy or at the very least contentment.  Also remember that Ecclesiastes 3:1 says “There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under heaven…”  Therefore the situation you find yourself in will only last for a period or God will change your outlook toward that situation.