"Have you ever noticed the difference between being humble and being humbled? Many persons are humbled who are not humble at all."
"The more self sinks, the more Christ rises: like the two scales of a balance, one must go down that the other may go up: self must sink in repentance that Christ may rise by faith."
"I fear that many men proudly ask to be humble: they desire to be humble in order that they may be admired for it."
- C.H. Spurgeon
Mind blown
Thursday, February 4, 2010
4 logical arguments for the existence of God
There are 4 main logical arguments (aside from Biblical arguments) for the existence of God. Here's a brief summary of each.
1. Ontological argument
1. Ontological argument
- God is the greatest conceivable being possible. It is then argued that to exist is greater than to not exist, and therefore the greatest conceivable being must exist. If God did not exist, then God would not be the greatest conceivable being, and that would contradict the very definition of God. I personally like the other arguments better.
- This basically says "Dang, the universe has such an amazing design. There must be a Designer." For example, if the elements in our atmosphere were even a few percentage points different, most living things on earth would die. The odds of a single protein molecule forming by chance is 1 in 10243 (a 10 followed by 243 zeros). A single cell has millions of protein molecules.
- We don't get something from nothing. We have a universe. Therefore, something must have caused the universe to come into existence. That something is the un-caused (always existing) God. If you saw a watch on the floor, you would assume there was a watch-maker.
- Every culture in history has had some form of law. Everyone has a sense of right and wrong. Murder, lying & stealing are almost universally rejected. Where did this sense of right and wrong come from if not from a holy God.
Friday, August 28, 2009
d101 quick review: John chapter 7
Background: Jesus feeds five thousand men (probably 10-25 thousand people total), walks on water, and speaks to the Jewish crowds who scorn Him for healing on the Sabbath. Jesus claims to be the "bread of life" (John 6:48).
Chapter 7
Chapter 7
- Jesus goes to the Feast of the Tabernacle secretly, avoiding public eye. He chills there and hears the people speaking about Him. Obviously He's become the talk of the town. Midway through, He gets up and teaches.
- Many in the crowd come to believe in Him (v.31).
- Jewish leaders send guards to arrest Jesus.
- The crowds debate theology - they say Jesus can't be the Messiah, since He is from Galilee, and the Messiah was prophesied to be born in Bethlehem. They don't realize that Jesus was from Galilee, but was born in Bethlehem, so He actually is qualified to be the Messiah.
- On the last day of the feast, Jesus "cries out," offering to satisfy anyone that's thirsty (v.37)
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Image and likeness of God
Genesis 1:26 says we were made in the image and likeness of God. What does this mean?
This is what sets us apart from the animal world. Having his image and likeness doesn't mean Adam's body looked like God, but his body did reflect God in that it had perfect health and wasn't prone to death. When Adam sinned, that "likeness" was distorted, and we got the altered version. We are made in the image of God in 3 particular categories: mentally, morally, and socially.
Mentally: We can reason and choose. We're able to rationally think and make free choices. Unfortunately, Adam made the free choice to sin.
Morally: We were made innocent, in perfection, without sin, just like God. When Adam and Eve sinned, it perverted this. We still have the "leftovers" of this likeness though. It's called our conscience. It's why we feel guilty.
Socially: We communicate, talk, laugh, eat together, and fellowship. It's why we make friends, hug people, pray for people, and call friends. It reflects how God is in perfect fellowship and communion with Jesus and the Holy Spirit (the Trinity).
James 3:9 tells us we're still in God's likeness today, but we also clearly show the effects of sin. It's why we catch a cold (physically), get confused (mentally), sin (morally), or isolate ourselves (socially). Since sin entered the world and messed up our perfect image and likeness of God, we can't look at everything about ourselves and assume God is that way (For example, our choice to sin does not alter God's character or mean that God sins or makes mistakes). But, we can look at our existence and certain things about us and marvel at how God has given us characteristics that show us about Him.
This is what sets us apart from the animal world. Having his image and likeness doesn't mean Adam's body looked like God, but his body did reflect God in that it had perfect health and wasn't prone to death. When Adam sinned, that "likeness" was distorted, and we got the altered version. We are made in the image of God in 3 particular categories: mentally, morally, and socially.
Mentally: We can reason and choose. We're able to rationally think and make free choices. Unfortunately, Adam made the free choice to sin.
Morally: We were made innocent, in perfection, without sin, just like God. When Adam and Eve sinned, it perverted this. We still have the "leftovers" of this likeness though. It's called our conscience. It's why we feel guilty.
Socially: We communicate, talk, laugh, eat together, and fellowship. It's why we make friends, hug people, pray for people, and call friends. It reflects how God is in perfect fellowship and communion with Jesus and the Holy Spirit (the Trinity).
James 3:9 tells us we're still in God's likeness today, but we also clearly show the effects of sin. It's why we catch a cold (physically), get confused (mentally), sin (morally), or isolate ourselves (socially). Since sin entered the world and messed up our perfect image and likeness of God, we can't look at everything about ourselves and assume God is that way (For example, our choice to sin does not alter God's character or mean that God sins or makes mistakes). But, we can look at our existence and certain things about us and marvel at how God has given us characteristics that show us about Him.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Death of the apostles
The Bible only records one of the apostles' deaths (James), and the rest are based on historical church tradition. Think about how these guys willingly died for their belief in Jesus. Nobody is going to die for something if they know it's a lie. The apostles witnessed the resurrection of Jesus, and the fact they died the way they did is evidence of that.
- James: In Acts 12:2, King Herod had James put to death with the sword. Most say he got beheaded.
- Peter: Crucified upside-down on an X-shaped cross in Rome. He said he wasn't worthy to be crucified the same way as Jesus.
- Matthew was killed by a sword in Ethiopia.
- John was boiled in a tub of oil in Rome, but miraculously survived it. He was sent to an island called Patmos, and later was freed and returned to modern-day Turkey. He died of old age (the only disciple to die peacefully).
- James (Jesus' brother, not actually an apostle) refused to deny Jesus and was thrown from the top of a temple over 100 feet down, and survived the fall. They found out he was still alive and beat him to death with clubs.
- Bartholomew was beat to death with a whip.
- Andrew was crucified on an X-shaped cross in Greece, and was still preaching to the people that were crucifying him up until his death.
- Thomas was stabbed by a spear in India.
- Matthias was stoned and then had his head cut off (he replaced Judas as a disciple).
- Paul was beheaded by Nero in the year 67 in Rome.
The other apostles' deaths don't have reliable historical support.
- James: In Acts 12:2, King Herod had James put to death with the sword. Most say he got beheaded.
- Peter: Crucified upside-down on an X-shaped cross in Rome. He said he wasn't worthy to be crucified the same way as Jesus.
- Matthew was killed by a sword in Ethiopia.
- John was boiled in a tub of oil in Rome, but miraculously survived it. He was sent to an island called Patmos, and later was freed and returned to modern-day Turkey. He died of old age (the only disciple to die peacefully).
- James (Jesus' brother, not actually an apostle) refused to deny Jesus and was thrown from the top of a temple over 100 feet down, and survived the fall. They found out he was still alive and beat him to death with clubs.
- Bartholomew was beat to death with a whip.
- Andrew was crucified on an X-shaped cross in Greece, and was still preaching to the people that were crucifying him up until his death.
- Thomas was stabbed by a spear in India.
- Matthias was stoned and then had his head cut off (he replaced Judas as a disciple).
- Paul was beheaded by Nero in the year 67 in Rome.
The other apostles' deaths don't have reliable historical support.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
7 reasons to believe Jesus is God
1. John 10:30 - If you don't think Jesus' statement here is a claim to be God, check out the Jews' reaction to this statement in John 10:33. They say they're stoning Him because He claims to be God. Notice that Jesus never corrects them.
2. John 8:58 - Jesus again claims to be God, and again the Jews try to stone Him.
3. John 1:1 says the Word was God, and John 1:14 says the Word became flesh.
4. Acts 20:28 says God bought the church with His own blood. That blood, of course, belonging to Jesus.
5. John 20:28 - Thomas addresses Jesus as Lord and God, and Jesus doesn't correct him. Jesus receives worship plenty of times in Scripture, and never scolded anyone for it. If Jesus wasn't God, He would've told people not to worship Him or call Him God, similar to when the angel in Revelation 19:10 received worship and told the people to worship God, not the angel.
6. Titus 2:13 and 2 Peter 1:1 both straight up say Jesus is God and Savior.
7. Jesus had to be God to pay the infinite penalty of sin on the cross. This is the biggest reason. If He wasn't God, his death wouldn't be sufficient to pay for the entire world's sins. Only an infinite God could pay such an infinite debt.
2. John 8:58 - Jesus again claims to be God, and again the Jews try to stone Him.
3. John 1:1 says the Word was God, and John 1:14 says the Word became flesh.
4. Acts 20:28 says God bought the church with His own blood. That blood, of course, belonging to Jesus.
5. John 20:28 - Thomas addresses Jesus as Lord and God, and Jesus doesn't correct him. Jesus receives worship plenty of times in Scripture, and never scolded anyone for it. If Jesus wasn't God, He would've told people not to worship Him or call Him God, similar to when the angel in Revelation 19:10 received worship and told the people to worship God, not the angel.
6. Titus 2:13 and 2 Peter 1:1 both straight up say Jesus is God and Savior.
7. Jesus had to be God to pay the infinite penalty of sin on the cross. This is the biggest reason. If He wasn't God, his death wouldn't be sufficient to pay for the entire world's sins. Only an infinite God could pay such an infinite debt.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
What age will we be in heaven?
The Bible doesn't explicitly give us the answer to this question. If a man dies at 95, he won't enter heaven as a 95 year old man because the effects of aging and time bringing us closer to death are all from sin, something that heaven is free of. In the same way, an aborted baby won't enter heaven as an 8 pound cutie crying "goo goo gah gah." We'll be made perfect, flawless and Christ-like without any trace of sin or its effects on us.
Some people say the age is around 30. Others say 33, since that's about the age Jesus was when He died. Personally, I don't really think age will be a concept in heaven like it is here. No sin means no aging toward death and full comprehension of God, so if we had to translate it into an apparent age for our minds to grasp, it'd probably be between 20-40. I think everybody will be in what athletes call their "prime," meaning their ideal age, which would vary from person to person.
1 John 2:26
Some people say the age is around 30. Others say 33, since that's about the age Jesus was when He died. Personally, I don't really think age will be a concept in heaven like it is here. No sin means no aging toward death and full comprehension of God, so if we had to translate it into an apparent age for our minds to grasp, it'd probably be between 20-40. I think everybody will be in what athletes call their "prime," meaning their ideal age, which would vary from person to person.
1 John 2:26
5 points on demons
1. When Satan fell from heaven, he took one-third of the angels with him (Revelation 12:4)
2. They're pesky, pretend to be good, and can appear in physical forms (2nd Corinthians 11:14-15)
3. Demons are described as evil spirits (Matthew 10:1)
4. Demons decieve us and attack us (2nd Corinthians 4:4, 2nd Corinthians 12:7)
5. Demons fight against holy angels (Revelation 12:4-9)
Watch your back.
2. They're pesky, pretend to be good, and can appear in physical forms (2nd Corinthians 11:14-15)
3. Demons are described as evil spirits (Matthew 10:1)
4. Demons decieve us and attack us (2nd Corinthians 4:4, 2nd Corinthians 12:7)
5. Demons fight against holy angels (Revelation 12:4-9)
Watch your back.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Prosperity Gospel
There is something dangerous going around that's becoming popular, and it's called the prosperity gospel. This belief system teaches that Christians will be blessed with health and wealth if they are in favor with God. You may have heard of a preacher named Joel Osteen. He is a main advocate of this theology, and he preaches to over 7 million viewers weekly through his media on and offline (source). He's crazy popular, but unfortunately, not crazy biblical.
The Bible nowhere promises believers prosperity by terms of this world, or health and wealth. In fact, Paul warns Timothy against this very thing in 1 Timothy 6:5. He says godliness is not a means of gain. Prosperity gospel teaches that the favors you demand of God are to be stated positively and confidently, and that those words have creative power. See, God's ability to bless us doesn't hang on our faith. Who do we think we are making demands of God? I'm not saying it's wrong to pray for a prosperous life, but it becomes dangerous when your faith is dependent on that. If you're wealthy, healthy and living a good life with a strong faith, what happens when bumps in the road come along, or all that is stripped away? Where is God then? Your faith vanishes.
Getting sick, sin, and failing are all the result of a lack of faith according to this belief. This place is fallen, which means our lives are going to include suffering. This life and suffering go together. Jesus was homeless for periods of time, poor, betrayed, abused, mocked, and beaten up. So according to this gospel, if we have enough faith in Jesus, we won't be like Him?
The emphasis of this gospel on gaining money and possessions in this life is not biblical. Check out Matthew 6:19. Jesus is saying, why would you store up all this expensive stuff here on earth where it can just be taken from you, rust away, or be eaten up? It's pointless.
If you've heard of this issue, please post your thoughts.
The Bible nowhere promises believers prosperity by terms of this world, or health and wealth. In fact, Paul warns Timothy against this very thing in 1 Timothy 6:5. He says godliness is not a means of gain. Prosperity gospel teaches that the favors you demand of God are to be stated positively and confidently, and that those words have creative power. See, God's ability to bless us doesn't hang on our faith. Who do we think we are making demands of God? I'm not saying it's wrong to pray for a prosperous life, but it becomes dangerous when your faith is dependent on that. If you're wealthy, healthy and living a good life with a strong faith, what happens when bumps in the road come along, or all that is stripped away? Where is God then? Your faith vanishes.
Getting sick, sin, and failing are all the result of a lack of faith according to this belief. This place is fallen, which means our lives are going to include suffering. This life and suffering go together. Jesus was homeless for periods of time, poor, betrayed, abused, mocked, and beaten up. So according to this gospel, if we have enough faith in Jesus, we won't be like Him?
The emphasis of this gospel on gaining money and possessions in this life is not biblical. Check out Matthew 6:19. Jesus is saying, why would you store up all this expensive stuff here on earth where it can just be taken from you, rust away, or be eaten up? It's pointless.
If you've heard of this issue, please post your thoughts.
Friday, October 17, 2008
Prayer Requests
Here are some prayer requests from Mr. Perez's 6th grade Sunday school class. Please pray for these children! I am typing these as they are written :)
"God help me in the problem my sister and I are in. Amen"
"Let Jesus go into my heart and my lit brother"
"That you can be with my grandma because she is going through tough times"
"For my nina Joyce that her marrige will go fine"
"For my tio he is in jail. I hope he is well."
"Take away my sickness"
"For my mom's side of her family to execpt Christ in their lives and for my Uncle Alex to know Jesus and for my Uncle Robert who is fighting in Iraq."
"I pray for my cousins Jasmine & Alexas because their in the walkin the Lord expect for their mom she wants Jasmine & Alexas to be cathlic instead of christan"
"I pray for my friend Stephanie so she can come to pioneer club to learn more about Jesus"
"God help me in the problem my sister and I are in. Amen"
"Let Jesus go into my heart and my lit brother"
"That you can be with my grandma because she is going through tough times"
"For my nina Joyce that her marrige will go fine"
"For my tio he is in jail. I hope he is well."
"Take away my sickness"
"For my mom's side of her family to execpt Christ in their lives and for my Uncle Alex to know Jesus and for my Uncle Robert who is fighting in Iraq."
"I pray for my cousins Jasmine & Alexas because their in the walkin the Lord expect for their mom she wants Jasmine & Alexas to be cathlic instead of christan"
"I pray for my friend Stephanie so she can come to pioneer club to learn more about Jesus"
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Proverbs 25:21-22
"If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you." - Proverbs 25:21-22
Any of us can think of a situation where we have wronged somebody. In the heat of the moment, we did or said something to them that was messed up. And most of the time, our action provoked an even stronger reaction by the other person. But imagine if instead of reacting like that person did, they simply gave you a hug and apologized? Although many times we don't want to "feed our enemies" so to speak, doing so shows God's love within us. This "heaps burning coals" on them, and as one bible commentary says, it melts them into repentance and love. Romans 12:20 in the New Testament also quotes this Proverb.
Try to think of a time when you have helped your enemy. I am trying to think of a time when I have "fed my enemy," and I'm drawing a blank. If you're like me and can't remember doing this, we really need to make a conscious effort to not only restrain ourselves from our enemy, but HELP them. I have restrained myself many times from taking revenge or saying something back to people. But to restrain yourself and actually help them, that's even more of a challenge.
Any of us can think of a situation where we have wronged somebody. In the heat of the moment, we did or said something to them that was messed up. And most of the time, our action provoked an even stronger reaction by the other person. But imagine if instead of reacting like that person did, they simply gave you a hug and apologized? Although many times we don't want to "feed our enemies" so to speak, doing so shows God's love within us. This "heaps burning coals" on them, and as one bible commentary says, it melts them into repentance and love. Romans 12:20 in the New Testament also quotes this Proverb.
Try to think of a time when you have helped your enemy. I am trying to think of a time when I have "fed my enemy," and I'm drawing a blank. If you're like me and can't remember doing this, we really need to make a conscious effort to not only restrain ourselves from our enemy, but HELP them. I have restrained myself many times from taking revenge or saying something back to people. But to restrain yourself and actually help them, that's even more of a challenge.
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Suggestions?
If you have any ideas about what I should talk about, feel free to suggest something.. Just add a comment to this post.
One idea I have is that I'll post a list of prayer requests from the 6th grade kids from Mr. Perez's class at church. This way we can all pray for them. Sometimes they have some really important prayer requests.
One idea I have is that I'll post a list of prayer requests from the 6th grade kids from Mr. Perez's class at church. This way we can all pray for them. Sometimes they have some really important prayer requests.
Different Bible Versions
First, let me start by saying the original inspired manuscripts in Greek and Hebrew are the best "versions" of the Bible. Since most of us know nothing about either language, it's essential to know what some of the popular Bible versions say and what their translation method is like. For example, King James Version (KJV) takes the Hebrew and Greek words and translates them into the best-fitting English word possible, word-for-word. NIV (New International Version) and NLT (New Living Translation) take the original idea that was in Hebrew and Greek and translate that idea in English. NKJV takes the KJV but tries to update the English to fit with more modern terms.
Personally I have 1 KJV, 1 NLT and 1 NIV bible. If I am confused by a verse in one, I might consult another, and so on. However, I'd say about 90% of all the verses I have read in my life have been from my NIV bible. I find that it's a solid translation that isn't too confusing, and at the same time isn't oversimplified. I would recommend KJV to anybody that doesn't have trouble reading it because I think most people agree it's closest to the original manuscripts as you can get. I can handle KJV when I'm checking up on a verse but I have a little difficulty reading entire chapters in it.
Sooner or later somebody will quote a verse from the Bible to try to defend a point to you, and it may sound fishy, so a good idea is to have a method of verifying a Bible version that you have never heard of. Try this: Check common verses that mention Jesus as God. John 1:1, John 10:30, Titus 2:13, etc. You know if a version twists these passages as to deny the deity of Christ, you can ditch it. For example, the New World Translation (used by Jehovah's Witnesses) slightly changes a lot of key verses to fit their beliefs. Be careful when somebody quotes a verse and it triggers an alarm inside your head.
"For the word of God is living and powerful.." - Hebrews 4:12
Personally I have 1 KJV, 1 NLT and 1 NIV bible. If I am confused by a verse in one, I might consult another, and so on. However, I'd say about 90% of all the verses I have read in my life have been from my NIV bible. I find that it's a solid translation that isn't too confusing, and at the same time isn't oversimplified. I would recommend KJV to anybody that doesn't have trouble reading it because I think most people agree it's closest to the original manuscripts as you can get. I can handle KJV when I'm checking up on a verse but I have a little difficulty reading entire chapters in it.
Sooner or later somebody will quote a verse from the Bible to try to defend a point to you, and it may sound fishy, so a good idea is to have a method of verifying a Bible version that you have never heard of. Try this: Check common verses that mention Jesus as God. John 1:1, John 10:30, Titus 2:13, etc. You know if a version twists these passages as to deny the deity of Christ, you can ditch it. For example, the New World Translation (used by Jehovah's Witnesses) slightly changes a lot of key verses to fit their beliefs. Be careful when somebody quotes a verse and it triggers an alarm inside your head.
"For the word of God is living and powerful.." - Hebrews 4:12
Christianity Being "Cruel"?
I recently read an e-mail and have previously seen message board posts online that accuse Christianity of being a cruel religion. They argue that God is forcing us into worshipping him by threatening us with hell otherwise. They claim that we really don't have free will since either we worship God, or we go to hell.
We, in society, are punished with fines and jail time for breaking the law. But, nobody would say that we are forced to obey the law. In fact, many people choose to break the law even when they know there is a very good chance they will be caught. So, the existence of punishment for wrongdoing doesn't mean that anybody is forced to obey. This is exactly the case with God. Our choice is between doing good and following God, or disobeying God and doing evil. There is a reward for following God, and a punishment for rejecting Him. Remember that people seek immediate pleasure, knowing there will be consequences later. People go out on Sunday night knowing they'll miss studying for their test on Monday, people drink knowing they'll have a hangover the next morning, people watching their weight eat delicious foods, knowing they're fattening. There is a common theme here: Self-pleasure now but grief later, or self-discipline and reward later. This is the decision, of our own free will, we are all faced with.
I think we should pray for anybody that is calling God or Christianity cruel. They have a terrible misunderstanding of what God is all about: love.
"He who does not love does not know God, for God is love." - 1 John 4:8
We, in society, are punished with fines and jail time for breaking the law. But, nobody would say that we are forced to obey the law. In fact, many people choose to break the law even when they know there is a very good chance they will be caught. So, the existence of punishment for wrongdoing doesn't mean that anybody is forced to obey. This is exactly the case with God. Our choice is between doing good and following God, or disobeying God and doing evil. There is a reward for following God, and a punishment for rejecting Him. Remember that people seek immediate pleasure, knowing there will be consequences later. People go out on Sunday night knowing they'll miss studying for their test on Monday, people drink knowing they'll have a hangover the next morning, people watching their weight eat delicious foods, knowing they're fattening. There is a common theme here: Self-pleasure now but grief later, or self-discipline and reward later. This is the decision, of our own free will, we are all faced with.
I think we should pray for anybody that is calling God or Christianity cruel. They have a terrible misunderstanding of what God is all about: love.
"He who does not love does not know God, for God is love." - 1 John 4:8
Friday, October 10, 2008
Be on the Lookout
When we want to know God's will for our lives or the next thing God has in store for us, a lot of times we just have to take a step back and allow God to show us what it is that He has planned. Pastors typically tell us to "pray, and then listen for God," but I think the use of the word "listen" confuses a lot of Christians. What most pastors are getting at when they want us to "listen" for God is that we should be patiently watching for any indicator of what God wants to do with us. If we're not listening but jumping to a conclusion without prayerfully considering it, it can mislead us.
Since I started working, I have rarely ever received Sundays entirely off. This has prevented me from going to church every week, or committing to teaching/helping with Children's ministries. I eventually figured there was not much I could do about this. If I wanted to pay my bills, I would have to suck it up and work when I am scheduled. But then the September '08 schedule came..
I had every Sunday and every Thursday of the month off. It seems like such a clear-cut sign now (College bible studies are on Thursdays, and service on Sundays), but at the time, I didn't realize it until that same week Pastor Rudy handed me a Children's ministry application. God opened up the opportunity for me, and I almost missed it because I wasn't on the lookout for what He wanted to do in my life.
1. God opened the window for me to serve by giving me Sundays off.
2. God placed the desire on my heart.
3. God had Pastor Rudy hand me an application, and gave me the desire of my heart.
I believe that God will use situations and our hearts to provide the answers that we're looking for. We just have to be on the lookout.
"Delight yourself also in the LORD, And He shall give you the desires of your heart." - Psalm 37:4
Since I started working, I have rarely ever received Sundays entirely off. This has prevented me from going to church every week, or committing to teaching/helping with Children's ministries. I eventually figured there was not much I could do about this. If I wanted to pay my bills, I would have to suck it up and work when I am scheduled. But then the September '08 schedule came..
I had every Sunday and every Thursday of the month off. It seems like such a clear-cut sign now (College bible studies are on Thursdays, and service on Sundays), but at the time, I didn't realize it until that same week Pastor Rudy handed me a Children's ministry application. God opened up the opportunity for me, and I almost missed it because I wasn't on the lookout for what He wanted to do in my life.
1. God opened the window for me to serve by giving me Sundays off.
2. God placed the desire on my heart.
3. God had Pastor Rudy hand me an application, and gave me the desire of my heart.
I believe that God will use situations and our hearts to provide the answers that we're looking for. We just have to be on the lookout.
"Delight yourself also in the LORD, And He shall give you the desires of your heart." - Psalm 37:4
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Proverbs is Crazy
I hope everybody has checked out the book of Proverbs. It's written by the wisest man to ever have lived (Well, Jesus was wiser), King Solomon.
This book is great for readers with short attention spans. Verses are basically tips on how to live a wise life. Most chapters just have tip after tip: No plot, no storyline, no characters. This book dominates every other "How to" book out there.
One thing that amazes me is that the book obviously reflects important matters in life and how to deal with them: Godliness, work, money, charity, sex, family, discipline, debt, raising children, alcohol, politics, revenge, etc. If you want to really put things into perspective, think about what you've been stressed out about lately. Is it really that important? Think about all the topics that aren't even mentioned in Proverbs: How we look, boyfriends and girlfriends, getting that brand new item you want (car, iPod, whatever), making sure we're the best at something. Do you think the wisest man ever just forgot to mention these things in Proverbs, or maybe they're not that significant in the long run?
Hm..
This book is great for readers with short attention spans. Verses are basically tips on how to live a wise life. Most chapters just have tip after tip: No plot, no storyline, no characters. This book dominates every other "How to" book out there.
One thing that amazes me is that the book obviously reflects important matters in life and how to deal with them: Godliness, work, money, charity, sex, family, discipline, debt, raising children, alcohol, politics, revenge, etc. If you want to really put things into perspective, think about what you've been stressed out about lately. Is it really that important? Think about all the topics that aren't even mentioned in Proverbs: How we look, boyfriends and girlfriends, getting that brand new item you want (car, iPod, whatever), making sure we're the best at something. Do you think the wisest man ever just forgot to mention these things in Proverbs, or maybe they're not that significant in the long run?
Hm..
Why would anybody reject Jesus?
As Christians, we sometimes have to put on the mindset of a nonbeliever so we can minister to them in more effective ways. We can clearly present the gospel to somebody and show them over time how God has personally changed our lives, but what happens when they pass on it and say "No thanks"? Do we think "Wow, this person is being ridiculous" or "What a stubborn punk!" Well, we shouldn't be thinking these things. While I agree there is no excuse for not accepting Jesus as savior, that does not change the fact that there are common reasons why people reject Him.
1. They believe this world has more to offer. The impulsive pleasure that this world provides outweighs, in their minds, the benefits of giving that lifestyle up for God. We see a story in Matthew about this exact type of nonbeliever. A rich man is unwilling to give up the world pleasures he has experienced for everlasting life with Jesus (who is right before his very eyes). "Jesus said to him, 'If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.' But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions." - Matthew 19:21-22
It seems absolutely insane. You're staring at Jesus Christ, and you ask him what you need to do for eternal life. He says give up all your money and valuables. You walk away sad. See, that isn't what the rich man wanted to hear. In the same way, nonbelievers today simply don't want to give up what they hold on to so dearly.
2. They're embarrassed. Nonbelievers in John were scared of what people might have thought about them, and didn't believe "for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God." - John 12:43. I think it's helpful to stand up for your faith and show people that Christianity and God's love is nothing to be embarrassed or quiet about. I am certainly guilty of remaining silent when I sometimes should speak up and defend my faith.
3. They believe they are "good" people or at least "basically good enough to get to heaven." Look, if you're the defendant in court (and your own lawyer), and the prosecutor is God, you better be pleading guilty because you have nothing to say in your defense. I'm garbage when measured to perfection, and I readily admit that. God's evidence against you in court is every single sin you have ever committed, and your defense is what? "Well, I donated to charity that one time. I helped volunteer over at that place!" Unfortunately, our "bads" outweigh our "goods", so the argument that "good" people go to heaven is negated. Luckily for us, the jury in the courtroom is extremely merciful and willing to rule you innocent if you plead guilty and accept Him.
4. They don't have enough physical proof. They claim if they only had a tiny bit if physical proof, if something was revealed to them, they'd believe. We cannot prove God's existence, but we can shed light on the overwhelming evidence for His existence. Because if we could prove it to everybody 100%, nobody's relationship with God would be based on faith, it would be based on what has been proven. It is similar to the miracles Jesus performed on Earth - people had just witnessed an amazing miracle, yet the majority did not believe that Jesus was God. We do not want a faith based on "physical proof," because that is a shallow faith that is gone the minute something unexpected happens.
I believe God has made a perfect amount of faith required to believe in Him. He reveals a certain amount of information to us, and then asks us to have faith and believe. If he had revealed more information (or given us way more evidence, like Jesus appearing today on national TV and flying), it would reduce the faith that an athiest needs, making it a weak faith that is only there because Jesus started flying in front of us. If he had revealed way less to us (no Bible, no evidence in nature), everybody would be taking a huge leap of faith aimlessly in the dark. He has balanced the two ends perfectly so that believing in God is a reasonable step of faith. A Christian philosopher named Norman Geisler said, “This does not mean there is no room for faith. But God wants us to take a step of faith in the light of evidence, rather than to leap in the dark.”
"The fool has said in his heart, 'There is no God.'" - Psalm 14:1
Don't be a fool.
1. They believe this world has more to offer. The impulsive pleasure that this world provides outweighs, in their minds, the benefits of giving that lifestyle up for God. We see a story in Matthew about this exact type of nonbeliever. A rich man is unwilling to give up the world pleasures he has experienced for everlasting life with Jesus (who is right before his very eyes). "Jesus said to him, 'If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.' But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions." - Matthew 19:21-22
It seems absolutely insane. You're staring at Jesus Christ, and you ask him what you need to do for eternal life. He says give up all your money and valuables. You walk away sad. See, that isn't what the rich man wanted to hear. In the same way, nonbelievers today simply don't want to give up what they hold on to so dearly.
2. They're embarrassed. Nonbelievers in John were scared of what people might have thought about them, and didn't believe "for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God." - John 12:43. I think it's helpful to stand up for your faith and show people that Christianity and God's love is nothing to be embarrassed or quiet about. I am certainly guilty of remaining silent when I sometimes should speak up and defend my faith.
3. They believe they are "good" people or at least "basically good enough to get to heaven." Look, if you're the defendant in court (and your own lawyer), and the prosecutor is God, you better be pleading guilty because you have nothing to say in your defense. I'm garbage when measured to perfection, and I readily admit that. God's evidence against you in court is every single sin you have ever committed, and your defense is what? "Well, I donated to charity that one time. I helped volunteer over at that place!" Unfortunately, our "bads" outweigh our "goods", so the argument that "good" people go to heaven is negated. Luckily for us, the jury in the courtroom is extremely merciful and willing to rule you innocent if you plead guilty and accept Him.
4. They don't have enough physical proof. They claim if they only had a tiny bit if physical proof, if something was revealed to them, they'd believe. We cannot prove God's existence, but we can shed light on the overwhelming evidence for His existence. Because if we could prove it to everybody 100%, nobody's relationship with God would be based on faith, it would be based on what has been proven. It is similar to the miracles Jesus performed on Earth - people had just witnessed an amazing miracle, yet the majority did not believe that Jesus was God. We do not want a faith based on "physical proof," because that is a shallow faith that is gone the minute something unexpected happens.
I believe God has made a perfect amount of faith required to believe in Him. He reveals a certain amount of information to us, and then asks us to have faith and believe. If he had revealed more information (or given us way more evidence, like Jesus appearing today on national TV and flying), it would reduce the faith that an athiest needs, making it a weak faith that is only there because Jesus started flying in front of us. If he had revealed way less to us (no Bible, no evidence in nature), everybody would be taking a huge leap of faith aimlessly in the dark. He has balanced the two ends perfectly so that believing in God is a reasonable step of faith. A Christian philosopher named Norman Geisler said, “This does not mean there is no room for faith. But God wants us to take a step of faith in the light of evidence, rather than to leap in the dark.”
"The fool has said in his heart, 'There is no God.'" - Psalm 14:1
Don't be a fool.
Worship
Back in my high school days, I probably didn't appreciate the true value of worship at church service. There were songs that I enjoyed, but overall I just never considered it that important to stand up when the worship band told us to, or clap my hands in unison with the rest of the church. As I matured in the faith, however, I came to realize that worship is not about lifting your hands on Sundays. It's an internal state; something that is on an individual basis. We as Christians should be worshipping God 7 days a week, not just when the time comes on Sundays. But when Sunday worship service comes, we will see worship manifest itself through the praise we give God.
Because worship is on an individual basis, I don't believe that external actions are important during church worship service. Whether you prefer sitting, standing, dancing, clapping, singing, lifting your hands, whatever. The most important thing is that we worship God in spirit and in truth. That is, in our hearts and in our minds:
"But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him."- John 4:23-24 KJV
Because worship is on an individual basis, I don't believe that external actions are important during church worship service. Whether you prefer sitting, standing, dancing, clapping, singing, lifting your hands, whatever. The most important thing is that we worship God in spirit and in truth. That is, in our hearts and in our minds:
"But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him."- John 4:23-24 KJV
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