Did you mean…
I typed a phrase into Google translate, and it asked me if I wanted to change it…
No, I didn’t mean that! Thank God, I didn’t mean that!
Devotional and Bible
What 2011 Holds
So what’s going to happen in 2011? As a new year begins, I’ve been thinking about the heart of the Gospel, and the important things in our Christian lives.
 |
Some would say the heart of our message is love, or peace, or tolerance, or community. In a sense, these things may be true. But God has made it a lot more concrete. To show us that it’s not about us – not about our attempts to love, our attempts to include people, to make peace, and so on – to show us that it’s about Him – He shows us exhibit A: a cross.
Paul says this in Galations 6:
It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh who would force you to be circumcised, and only in order that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. For even those who are circumcised do not themselves keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may boast in your flesh. But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.
For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. And as for all who walk by this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God.
(Gal 6:12-16)
All throughout the letter, Paul is talking about those who want to make a good showing in the flesh. People are still like that today. We want to find something that we can do that will look good to others, or that will look or feel good to ourselves.
People are making New Year’s Resolutions – there’s nothing wrong with that, of course – but these resolutions are all about what we can do better, or how we can do less, or prioritize. We imagine ourselves living a better life – being a better version of ourselves…
But God shows us exhibit A: a cross.
In 2011, we won’t be able to brag about who we are, or what we’ve done. But we’ll still be able to brag about the cross.
The cross. God did it – He showed His love while we were still sinners. God did it – He lived the perfect life, and obeyed right up until the point of death. God did it – He created new people. We did not create ourselves. We did not give ourselves new hearts. We can’t even renew ourselves – but we can be renewed (2Cor 4:16).
What does 2011 hold? For believers, it’s the cross.
This is not our world (Rom 12:2). It’s a world destroyed, a world being destroyed, a world that will be destroyed. So what can we expect from it? "…through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God" (Acts 14:22).
In 2011, some of us will be asked to give our lives for the sake of the cross. Will it be you? or me?
In 2011 some of us (most of us?) will have to deal with direct or indirect persecution for Christ’s sake.
…as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: by great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger; by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love; by truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left; through honor and dishonor, through slander and praise.
We are treated as impostors, and yet are true; as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as punished, and yet not killed; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing everything.
(2Cor 6:4-10)
Hard times – that’s what we can expect from the world. A cross.
But what can we expect from God? Everything. Yes, even in this world the grace of God rains down everywhere. And even when the world has nothing left to give but grief and loss, we still have all that the cross gives us – we are accepted by God, we have hope for the future, we can leave behind the past, find forgiveness, see true love.
So in 2011 may we leave behind the world – die to it, and live to God.
Today I heard about this incident in the life of Jesus:
And he began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes and be killed, and after three days rise again. And he said this plainly.
And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. But turning and seeing his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, "Get behind me, Satan! For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man."
And calling the crowd to him with his disciples, he said to them, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it. For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? For what can a man give in return for his soul?"
(Mark 8:31-37)
Yes, I want to live for the Lord in 2011. But after all my attempts and failures, I can still celebrate what God has done, what He’s doing, what He will do.
May we rejoice in suffering in 2011. May we join our brothers and sisters around the world who are in prison for the Gospel, who are being beaten because of the Gospel. May we support them in prayer. May we speak the Truth when they are silenced. And if we are asked to join them, may we remember that this is the path God put us on from the start, when He asked us to take up our cross.
2011 is going to be great, because God is great! May we see it with His eyes, and not our human world-focused eyes.
For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
For it is written, "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart."
Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?
For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe. For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.
(1Cor 1:18-24)
A Prayer
Dear Lord,
Thank you so much for this ministry that you’ve given me. Thank you for the opportunities you’ve given me to serve.
But Lord, today I was talking again to that friend I’ve been praying about. My heart was just broken. Sin has trapped him, Lord.
He’s trapped in a job, Lord, where he’s doing things that just aren’t honest. And now he tells me that he has a relationship with another woman – Lord, his family is just being torn apart!
And all I could think was – there, but for Your grace, go I!
But Lord, I thank you for all the things you’re teaching me. Learning these spiritual disciplines has been such a blessing. It’s been a wonderful experience seeking your face in fasting, Lord. And even learning to give, Lord – you’ve blessed me through that, too.
Thank you so much, Lord, for being there for me.
Yours truly, the Pharisee
Luke 18:10-14 (read it again for the very first time)
I’ve Been Conned.
 |
I’ve been conned. In the worst possible way, too. Right where it hurts.
It’s an old game, but people still fall for it (me included, apparently). It hits you right where it’s most important – right at the heart.
It’s the old verse-taken-out-of-context game.
The 11s
Take for example the Jeremiah 11s. Oh my, I hear this one all the time. You know one of them, right?
declares the LORD,
plans for welfare and not for evil,
to give you a future and a hope.
(Jer 29:11)
So you read that verse and it sounds great, but if you move on to some of the other 11s, you may be in for a shock…
Behold, I am shaping disaster against you
and devising a plan against you…
(Jer 18:11)
Therefore, thus says the LORD,
Behold, I am bringing disaster upon them that they cannot escape.
Though they cry to me, I will not listen to them.
(Jer 11:11)
How come you never see Jeremiah 18:11 on any of those nice wall plaques? Why only Jeremiah 29:11? Shouldn’t we be balanced an put both up?
Oh, you say, I’m a Christian, though. God has good plans for me.
Really? And what verse do you take that from? Jeremiah 29:11? Why that one and not the other?
A little context, please…
Well, let’s take a look at the context. Things are going to get even better…
Please do go and read the context yourself, but here are some highlights. This is how the chapter begins: These are the words of the letter that Jeremiah the prophet sent from Jerusalem to the surviving elders of the exiles, and to the priests, the prophets, and all the people, whom Nebuchadnezzar had taken into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon. (Jer 29:1)
All right, so this is a letter to the Jews who were exiled – away from the promised land. As you read, you find that this is indeed a message from God. The people are to plant gardens and build houses. (There – this is a green passage! Everyone should plant a garden! Oh, wait, there’s more…)
All right, it looks like God is saying, Make yourself comfortable. You’re going to be in exile for a while. Look after the city you’re in, because its welfare is your welfare.
Don’t let a lying prophet tell you this will be over soon. It won’t be.
However, after 70 years I will bring you back to Israel. This is my plan for you – a future and a hope. Then you will find Me.
I will restore your fortunes (yay – money!) and bring you back to Israel.
But as for those who weren’t exiled with you – I’m sending sword, famine and pestilence!
So it’s better than you thought! What is the future and hope? It’s going back to Israel and getting all your money back (while those guys that weren’t exiled with you will suffer)! (But first you should plant a garden and marry off your kids)
God’s promise is wealth and a free trip to Israel!
Oh, wait – you’re not one of the Israelites living in the 70 years of exile? Well, in that case, maybe this doesn’t apply directly to you.
Who cares??
So what are you saying, Jim – God doesn’t have a good plan for my life?
No, I’m not saying that.
Well, what does it matter, then? So this verse wasn’t written for me personally. It still applies!
Does it?
Well, the question is, if Jeremiah 29:11 applies, why doesn’t Jeremiah 18:11?
You might think I’m making a mountain out of a mole hill. But it does matter, and here’s why.
This verse has been spread around so much – wet paint just slapped on all over the place – that some people are indeed getting the wrong idea.
The wrong idea is this: God has a good plan for my life. He won’t do anything bad to me. Life will be good and I’ll end up in heaven someday.
Really? Actually, if you read the context, and read all of Scripture, you’ll find out something different. For example, why will the people that weren’t exiled going to suffer? Because they wouldn’t listen to God! (Jer 29:19)
And in Jeremiah 18:11? Well, the people were ignoring God and following thier own evil plans. Jeremiah 11:11? They were worshipping idols.
Incidentally, did you notice that God said He wouldn’t listen to their prayers? It continues in Jeremiah 11:14: Therefore do not pray for this people, or lift up a cry or prayer on their behalf, for I will not listen when they call to me in the time of their trouble.
Quite a contrast with another favourite, Jeremiah 33:3: Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.
So will God listen or won’t He? It depends on the context.
Here’s the point. Does God have a plan for your life? Sure. But don’t count on it being something you’ll like, if you’re living in rebellion against Him. If you want to follow your own way. Don’t sit back in false assurance that God will ignore your sin and make everything turn out great for you in the end.
The good plans are in Jesus Christ – if you’re in Him, you will know hope.
So please stop taking verses out of context! There is a reason!
You’re Being Robbed!
Best scenario, taking a verse out of context is kind of like watching a Disney version of a fairy tale (sorry Walt). You miss out on the rich textures of a story that has grown up over the years in the community. Or take Disney’s Alice in Wonderland. A fun cartoon, but you might miss a lot of the rich political satyr in the book.
But it can be worse than that. You might only get a part of the truth. Or you might get the totally wrong idea. At times, people will actually really try to con you – lie to you – by taking a verse out of context.
Actually, I’m not going to tell you a story about how I was brought up to take verses out of context, and I learnt all kinds of heresy from the strict church of my childhood.
Thankfully, the churches I grew up in, and especially my parents, pushed me to actually read the Bible – yes, in context.
So I suppose I have no one to blame but myself.
I guess for the rest of my life I’ll be rediscovering verses.
Recently, for example, we were studying Hebrews 4:12. Remember that one?
sharper than any two-edged sword,
piercing to the division of soul and of spirit,
of joints and of marrow,
and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
(Heb 4:12)
So, it’s talking about how wonderfully powerful the Bible is, right?
Well, yes. But there’s a much more powerful, personal message in context.
We’ve been talking in Hebrews 4 about the disobedience of Israel. They hardened their hearts, and did not really experience the "rest" of God. A rest is still waiting for us – so we’d better be careful to enter it.
But watch out! You think the Israelites were bad? You have the same weapon pointed at you – the Word of God. It can see right into your heart – it can see what you’re thinking.
Sure, you look good on the outside, but how would you like all your intentions, your motivations, your lusts, broadcast on a screen in front of your church?
We’re all exposed before God!
So – let’s run to the Great High Priest, Jesus! He understands (and yet He never sinned). It’s the Gospel we need – the Gospel of Jesus Christ, to save us from the double edged sword.
Now, because of Him … (another familiar verse) … Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Heb 4:16)
When is that time of need? Now! We who have been exposed as sinners by God’s law can find grace through Jesus Christ!
Don’t those verses mean a lot more in context?
The Ultimate Context
And that brings up another point – the main context of all of Scripture. What is it about?
The Good News about Jesus.
That’s the context, from Genesis to Revelation.
At a recent Bible study, I encouraged everyone to remember some things – and I say the same to you. First, look to God for answers – pray for understanding when you read the Bible. Second, read it in community – talk to people at your church, listen to your pastor’s sermons, ask the elders questions. Third, when you read the Bible, make sure you know what the context is. Finally, remember the theme of it all – Jesus and His Gospel.
Luke says it this way, recording what Jesus said to the disciples after He rose from the dead (Luk 24:44-48):
Then he said to them, "These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled."
Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, and said to them, "Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.
You are witnesses of these things.
(emphasis added)
The Bible is about Jesus, and the Good News of His Salvation. It’s not all about me. But it sure is important to me!
So I’m going to keep reading in context. I won’t do it perfectly, and I’ll still get things wrong. But I’ve been conned, and I’m not going to take it anymore.
Another context example… Why do you ask?
Discovering the Songs of Christmas
I know, it’s only November – no time to be talking about Christmas. But when you’re far away from family, you either think about Christmas early – or nobody gets a gift. 🙂
 |
And I know some of you are starting to think about Christmas too – which is why I decided it was time to mention, once again, Discovering the Songs of Christmas!
My Dad wrote this book, but it came out later than expected last year – too late for many people to use over Christmas.
Discovering the Songs of Christmas: Meditations on Our Traditional Carols and Christmas Hymns is just what it sounds like – short meditations on Christmas carols.
The book is divided into 6 different aspects of Christmas…
- Anticipation
- Arrival
- Announcement
- Acclamation
- Adoration
- Aftermath
Each section contains several short chapters, each featuring a different Christmas carol. All in all, there are 63 different songs! As an added bonus, there’s an alphabetical index of songs in the back, and a chronological index (incidentally, the oldest song in the book is from circa 183 A.D.)
You’ll learn lots of things that you never knew about songs you’re familiar with (and some you aren’t!). For example,
- What song began as only one word?
- What strange ironies surround one of our most popular carols?
- What did the Canadian inventor Reginald Fessenden play in the first ever radio broadcast?
- What Christmas song was written by a comedian?
- What Christmas carol did Oliver Wendell Holmes call "one of the most beautiful poems ever written"?
- What orphaned MK wrote one of the most familiar "angel carols"?
- What carol in its original version doesn’t mention baby Jesus, Mary, shepherds or wisemen?
- Who really wrote "Away in a Manger"? (hint: it wasn’t Martin Luther)
That’s just a sampling. Better yet, the book is filled with Scripture, and thoughts about the message behind the words.
The chapters are short enough to read at the dinner table with young children (as a matter of fact, I think I will. I think I will). Or to be put in a bulletin. The book would also be a great gift for a friend or neighbour, even those who don’t yet know the man behind the words of our Christmas carols – Jesus Himself!
I’ll close with one sample from the book, just a portion from the chapter entitled Life Out Of Death:
O holy Child of Bethlehem
Descend to us, we pray;
Cast out our sin and enter in
Be born in us today.That is a prayer, and a poetic allusion to God’s plan of salvation. It is by trusting in Christ’s Calvary work that we are saved. Through personal faith in Him we are born again, born into the family of God. The Bible says,"As many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born…of God" (John 1:12-13). And the offer still stands. In the words of Phillips Brooks:
Where meek souls will receive Him still,
The dear Christ enters in.
Get a copy of Discovering the Songs of Christmas here!
Where did the Bible come from?
That’s the title of the new study I’m working on, which is going to be a lot of fun. I’ve been learning a lot as I’ve been preparing.
I just wanted to mention the book I recently finished reading – actually, in English and Spanish. My friend Antonio recommended the Spanish edition when we were talking about the study, so I got the Spanish version and later got the English version.
Anyway, it’s not a long book… but for it’s size it doesn’t do a bad job getting into the details of how the Bible comes to us through history. I’m not exactly taking the same approach as the book in the study, but the book will certainly be a good quick reference.
Anyway, the book is called (in English) How We Got the Bible by Neil R. Lightfoot. It’s also available for the Kindle. If you’re interested in the Spanish version, it’s called Comprendamos Como Se Formo la Biblia. It’s partly a translation of the English version by Lightfoot, but it’s actually totally revised to discuss how the Spanish Bible came to us. This revision comes from Dr. Juan Carlos Cevallos.
Check one out! 🙂