The idea of Jesus dying a bloody death on the cross seems foolish. Why would anyone die for something they didn't do? Why would God Himself suffer and die, just to restore a relationship with His creation? Where is the power in weakness? Where's the wisdom in any of it?
But that's exactly what He did... (read 1:18-25)
God is so much wiser than us, that even His so-called "foolishness" is above our wisdom, His "weakness" above our strength. Jesus' death was an act of wisdom, He knew it was the only way we could be in a relationship with Him; and He did what had to be done, an act of strength. He even showed power over death by rising from the dead, turning weakness into strength, foolishness into wisdom.
Now He calls us to do the same thing, to choose God's foolishness over man's wisdom... (read 1:26-31)
He turns conventional wisdom on its head, choosing the weak, foolish and lowly to His kingdom. He shows up man's strength, wisdom and honour for the sham that it is in comparison to His.
When we know we are foolish, we acknowledge Him as wise that much easier, and when we do that, He can place His wisdom in us... (read 2:6-16)
God's wisdom has been hidden from mankind because we couldn't understand it... "BUT GOD HAS REVEALED IT TO US BY HIS SPIRIT."
The Bible says that when we acknowledge who Jesus is and what He's done for us, and choose to turn from our wisdom and choose His, we receive the Holy Spirit... (read Acts 2:36-39)
That's the same Spirit who knows the thoughts of God! We can know God's plans for us, and what He's given us, because His Spirit in us can show us His wisdom. We can be a part of the wisdom and strength of God.
We can have the mind of Christ! We can have true wisdom!
Monday, April 11, 2005
Wednesday, April 06, 2005
A Poem I Wrote For Myself
Turn away from the little things
That bring you down and turn and sing
A song of praise unto your God
And never mind if you look odd
Cause when you know you've met the One
Who saved your soul, you'll start to run
Away from things that block your goal
To be made new, to be made whole
You'll focus on your God instead
Of small distractions in your head
No matter what happens to you,
His love will stay, His love is true.
He never wavers, never fades,
So give Him some more accolades,
Worship Him only, He's the One
Who forgives everything you've done,
He comes into your heart to stay,
And He takes all your sins away.
He takes your hurt, He takes your pain,
And makes you happy once again.
That bring you down and turn and sing
A song of praise unto your God
And never mind if you look odd
Cause when you know you've met the One
Who saved your soul, you'll start to run
Away from things that block your goal
To be made new, to be made whole
You'll focus on your God instead
Of small distractions in your head
No matter what happens to you,
His love will stay, His love is true.
He never wavers, never fades,
So give Him some more accolades,
Worship Him only, He's the One
Who forgives everything you've done,
He comes into your heart to stay,
And He takes all your sins away.
He takes your hurt, He takes your pain,
And makes you happy once again.
This Poem Is Kind of the Odd One Out...
...in that it makes you think about a serious topic in a much sillier way than the others. Hopefully makes you think anyway.... here goes:
Salvation, why not now?
You could get hit tomorrow by a snowplow.
Or you could get sat on by a 2-ton cow
If your heart is right with Jesus you won't stay down.
You'll get to go to heaven and be with the Lord
And in a million years you'll never be bored,
Because you'll always be in the centre of His love
Praising forever the one seated above.
You'll finally be able to see his face...
And it's a lot better than the other place.
So make your decision now, before it's too late
At least if you want to decide your own fate.
Forever with God, or forever away?
The choice is pretty obvious, wouldn't you say?
Salvation, why not now?
You could get hit tomorrow by a snowplow.
Or you could get sat on by a 2-ton cow
If your heart is right with Jesus you won't stay down.
You'll get to go to heaven and be with the Lord
And in a million years you'll never be bored,
Because you'll always be in the centre of His love
Praising forever the one seated above.
You'll finally be able to see his face...
And it's a lot better than the other place.
So make your decision now, before it's too late
At least if you want to decide your own fate.
Forever with God, or forever away?
The choice is pretty obvious, wouldn't you say?
The Opposite of Love
Some people think hate is the opposite of love,
But I'm not so sure I agree,
After looking inside I have come to conclude
The opposite of love has been me.
I've been impatient and I've been unkind,
I've been envious, boastful and proud.
I've been rude and self-seeking, and easily angered,
And in love that's just not allowed.
Of wrongs done to me I've kept a record,
I've not always rejoiced with the truth.
I've protected and trusted, hoped and persevered,
But not always, as love's known to do.
I could speak in the language of angels,
With faith, give a mountain a shove,
Have wisdom and knowledge surpassing all men,
But it would all be in vain without love.
God is love, and love never fails,
Though knowledge and prophecy cease.
When perfection comes, the imperfect disappears,
So I pray that my love would increase.
But I'm not so sure I agree,
After looking inside I have come to conclude
The opposite of love has been me.
I've been impatient and I've been unkind,
I've been envious, boastful and proud.
I've been rude and self-seeking, and easily angered,
And in love that's just not allowed.
Of wrongs done to me I've kept a record,
I've not always rejoiced with the truth.
I've protected and trusted, hoped and persevered,
But not always, as love's known to do.
I could speak in the language of angels,
With faith, give a mountain a shove,
Have wisdom and knowledge surpassing all men,
But it would all be in vain without love.
God is love, and love never fails,
Though knowledge and prophecy cease.
When perfection comes, the imperfect disappears,
So I pray that my love would increase.
Monday, April 04, 2005
The Reunion
When times are difficult to bear
And hope gives way to endless fear,
We hate the burden that we wear
And dread the thought of one more tear.
We understand that there is more,
And yet we still settle for less,
We know we're weak, lowly and poor
We long for love's tender caress.
What's left to do when all is done?
And where at last can someone turn
Who did it all in the name of fun,
And still bears scars from every burn?
From far away, we hear the cry,
Come back to me, my child, come back,
Stop trading the truth for a lie,
You know my love is what you lack.
From over the ruins of a life,
The pounding footsteps fill the air,
Breaking through turmoil and strife
With flying robes and windblown hair...
The father comes, arms open wide
As tears flow down his shirt and vest
He takes one final running stride,
And hugs the child to his chest.
You came, you came at last, he cries
The streets all echo with the sound
He acts as if he'd won a prize
This child was lost, but now is found.
Once more the father speaks out loud
He says, it is finished, it's done.
Your past may not have made you proud,
But your future has just begun.
And hope gives way to endless fear,
We hate the burden that we wear
And dread the thought of one more tear.
We understand that there is more,
And yet we still settle for less,
We know we're weak, lowly and poor
We long for love's tender caress.
What's left to do when all is done?
And where at last can someone turn
Who did it all in the name of fun,
And still bears scars from every burn?
From far away, we hear the cry,
Come back to me, my child, come back,
Stop trading the truth for a lie,
You know my love is what you lack.
From over the ruins of a life,
The pounding footsteps fill the air,
Breaking through turmoil and strife
With flying robes and windblown hair...
The father comes, arms open wide
As tears flow down his shirt and vest
He takes one final running stride,
And hugs the child to his chest.
You came, you came at last, he cries
The streets all echo with the sound
He acts as if he'd won a prize
This child was lost, but now is found.
Once more the father speaks out loud
He says, it is finished, it's done.
Your past may not have made you proud,
But your future has just begun.
Destined For Grayness
Always settle for second best
Take what you've got, forget the rest
No pressure, you can't get stressed
When you're destined for grayness
No difference between black and white
Who cares what's wrong, who cares what's right
Don't run the race, don't fight the fight
When you're destined for grayness
Never let your boat be tossed
And never reach out to the lost
Don't pay the price, don't count the cost
When you're destined for grayness
No apple of the Saviour's eye
No reason Jesus had to die
For a good old sinner such as I
When I'm destined for grayness
Now Jesus died to set us free
From sin and mediocrity
No grayness now for you and me
'Cause we're destined for greatness.
Take what you've got, forget the rest
No pressure, you can't get stressed
When you're destined for grayness
No difference between black and white
Who cares what's wrong, who cares what's right
Don't run the race, don't fight the fight
When you're destined for grayness
Never let your boat be tossed
And never reach out to the lost
Don't pay the price, don't count the cost
When you're destined for grayness
No apple of the Saviour's eye
No reason Jesus had to die
For a good old sinner such as I
When I'm destined for grayness
Now Jesus died to set us free
From sin and mediocrity
No grayness now for you and me
'Cause we're destined for greatness.
Devo - Faith: Hebrews 11-12
11:6 - "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him."
What is faith, and what are some ways we can apply it to our lives in order to please God?
11:1 - "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see."
11:3 - faith in God as Creator
11:13-16 - faith in a future in heaven when our lives on earth end
- our home, our citizenship is in heaven
- if you feel like you don't belong here, it's probably because you don't
- you belong in heaven, your home
11:24-27 (Moses' story) - follow Moses' example: he chose to be who God created him to be, and despite missing out on temporary enjoyment, he focussed on his eternal reward
- "he persevered because he saw him who is invisible.
11:33-40 - all these things were accomplished through faith
- weakness was turned to strength
- dead were brought to life
- kingdoms were conquered
* - many suffered terrible persecution, torture and death, poverty and homelessness; and "the world was not worthy of them"(v.38)
- they all had faith in the Christ (Messiah) before he came, they believed a Saviour would come
- now that He has come, our faith has a historical backing... it's easier for us in a way... at the same time, we still have to make that choice
12:1-11 - throw off sin and hindrances (not necessarily sin, but keep us from God, such as playing video games for 12 hours a day, putting things ahead of God, being so busy you never make time, etc.), and peresevere in the Christian faith
- focus on Jesus
- be encouraged, He was persecuted too
- accept discipline, learn and grow
- receive righteousness and peace
What is faith, and what are some ways we can apply it to our lives in order to please God?
11:1 - "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see."
11:3 - faith in God as Creator
11:13-16 - faith in a future in heaven when our lives on earth end
- our home, our citizenship is in heaven
- if you feel like you don't belong here, it's probably because you don't
- you belong in heaven, your home
11:24-27 (Moses' story) - follow Moses' example: he chose to be who God created him to be, and despite missing out on temporary enjoyment, he focussed on his eternal reward
- "he persevered because he saw him who is invisible.
11:33-40 - all these things were accomplished through faith
- weakness was turned to strength
- dead were brought to life
- kingdoms were conquered
* - many suffered terrible persecution, torture and death, poverty and homelessness; and "the world was not worthy of them"(v.38)
- they all had faith in the Christ (Messiah) before he came, they believed a Saviour would come
- now that He has come, our faith has a historical backing... it's easier for us in a way... at the same time, we still have to make that choice
12:1-11 - throw off sin and hindrances (not necessarily sin, but keep us from God, such as playing video games for 12 hours a day, putting things ahead of God, being so busy you never make time, etc.), and peresevere in the Christian faith
- focus on Jesus
- be encouraged, He was persecuted too
- accept discipline, learn and grow
- receive righteousness and peace
Devo - God's Deliverance: 2 Chronicles 20:1-30
vv.1-4, 12
Jehoshaphat realizes he has a big problem that he can't deal with on his own, so he asks God for help.
- he doesn't discount or play down the problem, he realizes it's serious
- the first thing he does is turn to God
- he understands that he is unable to solve the problem
- he also understands that God is able to solve it
vv.14-17
God responds to Jehoshaphat's cry for help, promises to solve the problem
- encourages him
- gives him specific instructions
- promises to solve the problem, to deliver him
- encourages him again
- promises to be with him
vv.18-21
Jehoshaphat responds to God's promise with faith and belief
- worships God as soon as he hears the promise, before he's seen anything
- obeys God's specific instructions
- encourages the people to have faith in God
- praises and thanks God before he's seen the victory
vv.22-23
God comes through on His promise
- fulfills His promise as the people begin to praise Him
vv.27-28
Jehoshaphat praises and thanks God again, after the victory and God's deliverance
v.29
The fear of God came on all the countries around
- they knew God fought for Jehoshaphat and Israel
- they didn't dare mess with God, so they didn't dare mess with Jehoshaphat or Israel
v.30
God gave Jehoshaphat peace and rest
*PROBLEM SOLVED, DELIVERANCE GRANTED, VICTORY WON*
- your problem may be more or less severe than an army of thousands upon thousands of people coming to kill you, but God can deliver you too, just like He delivered Jehoshaphat.
Jehoshaphat realizes he has a big problem that he can't deal with on his own, so he asks God for help.
- he doesn't discount or play down the problem, he realizes it's serious
- the first thing he does is turn to God
- he understands that he is unable to solve the problem
- he also understands that God is able to solve it
vv.14-17
God responds to Jehoshaphat's cry for help, promises to solve the problem
- encourages him
- gives him specific instructions
- promises to solve the problem, to deliver him
- encourages him again
- promises to be with him
vv.18-21
Jehoshaphat responds to God's promise with faith and belief
- worships God as soon as he hears the promise, before he's seen anything
- obeys God's specific instructions
- encourages the people to have faith in God
- praises and thanks God before he's seen the victory
vv.22-23
God comes through on His promise
- fulfills His promise as the people begin to praise Him
vv.27-28
Jehoshaphat praises and thanks God again, after the victory and God's deliverance
v.29
The fear of God came on all the countries around
- they knew God fought for Jehoshaphat and Israel
- they didn't dare mess with God, so they didn't dare mess with Jehoshaphat or Israel
v.30
God gave Jehoshaphat peace and rest
*PROBLEM SOLVED, DELIVERANCE GRANTED, VICTORY WON*
- your problem may be more or less severe than an army of thousands upon thousands of people coming to kill you, but God can deliver you too, just like He delivered Jehoshaphat.
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