Tuesday, January 31, 2017

When is a promise a promise?

When is a promise a promise?

There are some amazing promises in the Bible.

Some are amazingly clear. My favorite clear promise in the Bible is John 3:16. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life”. Whoever places their faith (belief) in the Lord Jesus will have eternal life. Eternal life starts when a person believes the Gospel (John 6:47). The content of the Gospel is spelled out in I Corinthians 15:3-4.  This is an abundantly clear promise.

There is well known promise that is often claimed by Christians. Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” From this I wonder, how does Christ strengthen me? What does Christ’s strength look like in my particular circumstances that I am claiming this verse?  What defines “all things in my life?” Does this mean all things without limit or all things within the will and purpose of God for my life? I surely can’t be expected Christ’s strength when I am in rebellion against Him.  What has bothered me the most is how I’ve heard this verse used as a lucky charm by some people trying to make themselves feel better.


There is a beautifully expressed promise in 2 Corinthians 1:20 “For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory.” I love the sound of the words in this verse. But even more, how do the promises of God find their yes in Christ? I believe it is related to how OT prophecies of Christ are fulfilled in the NT and in His Second Coming. At one of His post resurrection appearances on the road to Emmaus, Jesus spoke to two of his disciples.  Luke 24:27 “And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.” Read and interpret all of the promise of God in how they relate to Jesus.

Saturday, December 17, 2016

Life Lesson from Chuck Part III for Lehi Rotary - Nov 30th 2016

1. Observations developed from Woodworking. 
>Wood expands and contracts. This is incorporated into most plans (or should be).
>Don’t paint over hardwood. It hides the beauty of the grain.
>You will always make mistakes. As long as you keep your fingers, it is okay.
>For safety’s sake, don’t use power tools or sharp objects when you are tired.
>A good woodworker develops the skill of incorporating mistakes into the design of the piece.
>Most people won’t notice mistakes unless you point them out.
>Interesting design is better than dull design.
>Take a risk to try to make something out of your comfort zone.
>While hand cut dovetails are to be admired, machine cut dovetails are much more practical.
>Some of my best conversations have been working on a project with someone.
>Most people appreciate what you make for them more than what you buy for them.
>Woodworking as a hobby is primarily a gift of time.  Don’t underestimate the value of your time.

2.  The amount of insight we have (in a particular subject) is proportionate to our appetite in that area.
Proverbs 2:1-5 (ESV) 1 My son, if you receive my words and treasure up my commandments with you, 2 making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding;
3 yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding,
4 if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures,
5 then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God.

3. My theory of relativity (don’t run this thought past my sons who are into ‘real’ physics).
>The older I get the faster time goes. This is almost a universal experience for people.
 The big question is “WHY?”  I think it has to do with how each succeeding year is a progressively smaller percentage of our life. If you are 5 years old, going from one Christmas to the next is 20% of your life. If you are 50 years old, going from one Christmas to the next is 2% of your life.

4.Sometimes, just the attempt is worth it.
>Consider the Audi commercial with kid kissing the prom queen and getting a black eye from the prom king and driving away thrilled.
>My youngest son applied to MIT and Caltech 3 years ago. He didn’t get in, but I’m glad he tried. In the long run he has been better off at USU where he has done theoretical physics research with a professor.

5. In considering the effort required to help someone ask yourself,
>What is the core issue the person is dealing with?
(this can be very difficult to uncover, they may not even  know it).
> Is the person just trying to avoid the negative consequences of their bad choices?
(This may likely be a waste of your time).
>Do not put out more effort to help a person than they are willing to put effort out themselves.
     That thought came from a counselor speaking at a marriage event several years ago,
     when I asked him, ‘when do you know you are wasting your time with some one?’

6.  Don’t deny your emotions. 
>How are you feeling? is valid, but not the end of a discussion.
>Don’t let your emotions rule your life and use them in an attempt to control others.
>My wife has learned to give me a 3 day warning before she asks me how I feel about something.

7. Learn to ask good questions. 
>Good questions enable us to probe an issue more thoroughly.
>The Four Way Test is an excellent example of a good process. Is it the truth? Is it fair to all concerned? Will it build good will and better friendship? Will it be beneficial to all concerned?
>If we rush to an answer too quickly, we may miss important factors.
>Focusing on a good process will tend to give us a good result.
The best book in the OSU college bookstore was, “Asking the Right Questions?” The professor who assigned this book’s most annoying comment: “The only absolute is there are no absolutes.”

8. Cultivate the art of listening.
  How many of us tend to wait for someone to finish talking so we can burst in with our own thoughts without duly considering what another person is saying.
>Listening well to someone is a great gift to another and shows them respect.
Proverbs 20:5 (ESV) The purpose in a man’s heart is like deep water, but a man of understanding will draw it out.

9. Cultivate the value of appropriately encouraging and empowering words.
Proverbs 12:18 (ESV) 18 There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
Proverbs 12:25 (ESV) 25 Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad.

10.  How we use our time, our talent, and our treasure speak to what is truly important to us.
 When I was a kid my dad liked to say, “do as I say, not as I do.” If something is not important enough for your to act upon, don’t expect someone else will act upon it.

10. When someone says that God led them to do something that is obviously self-serving, I would seriously question the “God led me” part.
There are only about five people I would give the benefit of the doubt to if they said to me, “God led me, or God spoke to me.”

11. “I am for you” means that I want God’s best for you in all the circumstances of your life whether you do or not.
 The question that naturally follows is “what is God’s best?”
Ephesians 5:33 (ESV) 33 However, let each one of you love his wife as himself,
and let the wife see that she respects her husband.

12. Our limited view of God limits our ability to know, love, and serve Him, so expand your limitation by growing in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

13. God tends not to fix our stupid.
>Rather, He tends to redeem them if we seek Him.
Own your attitudes and behavior.

Sunday, August 14, 2016

Asking the right questions.

In studying the Bible we sometimes have the tendency to focus solely on individual verses.
We need to keep in mind that we should also be alert to the bigger picture of a book of the Bible and the whole Bible itself.
Understanding the bigger picture helps us to understand the individual verse(s) better.
Similarly, understanding individual verses better helps us to understand the bigger picture more clearly. Books on interpreting the Bible call this idea the "hermeneutical circle."

In looking at the following verses, what can questions can we ask and meditate on with the individual verse(s) and big picture in mind?

2 Peter 3:18 (ESV)
18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
       To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.

What does spiritual growth look like? 
                Growing in God's grace in how we react to the world around us.
                Growing in knowledge of God's Word.
                Growing in a desire to please (glorify) God

How does this verse relate to the overall theme of Peter's 2nd letter?
Overall  3:1 to stir up a sincere mind
                1:10 make diligent your call
                1:15  make every effort
                3:14  make every effort
Do what we can do to grow in our relationship with the Lord defined by God's Word.
               
How does 2 Peter fit within the NT and OT?


What questions could you ask concerning the following verse?

1 Timothy 4:7-8 (ESV)
7 Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths.
  Rather train yourself for godliness;
8        for while bodily training is of some value,
          godliness is of value in every way,
          as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.

>>What are my hindrances in training to be godly?

(think about who, what, when, where, how, why questions)

“A Portrait of Integrity” : Job

“A Portrait of Integrity”
Job 1:1, 9-12,18, 20-22
Aug 7th 2016

Live with Integrity regardless of what we don’t see and what we do see....

I. God honors those who consistently fear Him and turn from evil. (1-5)

1 There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job, and that man was blameless and upright, one who feared God and turned away from evil. 
 Verse 2 There were born to him seven sons and three daughters. 
3 He possessed 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 yoke of oxen, and 500 female donkeys, and very many servants, so that this man was the greatest of all the people of the east. 
4 His sons used to go and hold a feast in the house of each one on his day, and they would send and invite their three sisters to eat and drink with them. 
5 And when the days of the feast had run their course, Job would send and consecrate them, and he would rise early in the morning and offer burnt offerings according to the number of them all. For Job said, “It may be that my children have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts.” 
Thus Job did continually. 

II.  What we don’t see -- 
A.    The Spiritual Realm (6-8)
6 Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came among them. 
7 The LORD said to Satan, “From where have you come?” Satan answered the LORD and said, “From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking up and down on it.” 
8 And the LORD said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil?” 

The Bible describes some of the work of the evil one...
Revelation 12:10 (ESV)
10 And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God. 


II.  What we don’t see -- 
B. The dialogue before the Lord God — Satan Attacks Job’s character (9-11)
9 Then Satan answered the LORD and said, “Does Job fear God for no reason? 
10 Have you not put a hedge around him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. 
11 But stretch out your hand and touch all that he has, and he will curse you to your face.” 

II.  What we don’t see -- 
C.  The Lord gave permission to Satan’s influence (12)
12 And the LORD said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your hand. Only against him do not stretch out your hand.” So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD. 

The Bible describes how God has put a hedge around us.
1 John 4:4 (ESV)
4 Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. 

The Lord gives us a promise
1 Corinthians 10:13 (ESV)
13 No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. 
God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability,
 but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. 

There are limits to what the Lord will allow each of us to go through.

III. What we do see:
A. The Loss of his family and possessions.  (13-19)
13 Now there was a day when his sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house, 
14 and there came a messenger to Job and said,
 “The oxen were plowing and the donkeys feeding beside them, 
15 and the Sabeans fell upon them and took them and struck down the servants with the edge of the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you.” 
16 While he was yet speaking, there came another and said, [clap two]
“The fire of God fell from heaven and burned up the sheep and the servants and consumed them, and I alone have escaped to tell you.”  
17 While he was yet speaking, there came another and said,
“The Chaldeans formed three groups and made a raid on the camels and took them and struck down the servants with the edge of the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you.”  
18 While he was yet speaking, there came another and said,  
“Your sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house, 
19 and behold, a great wind came across the wilderness and struck the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young people, and they are dead, and I alone have escaped to tell you.” 

He lost everything, EXCEPT  — HIS RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD.

III. What we do see:
B. The response of faith: Good Theology which leads to proper perspective & worship (20-22)

20 Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head and fell on the ground and worshiped. 
21 And he said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I 
return. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.” 
22 In all this Job did not sin or charge God with wrong. 

He didn’t pretend like it didn’t happen. He went into mourning.
But because of his God- Perspective. He worshiped God.
Everything we have, we will eventually loose. Except our relationship with God.
If we live long enough, we will outlive our loved ones.
We will all eventually loose our health - we are all dying.
We will loose all of our finances - either before we die or after.

Character and integrity means more when you willing to pay a price to keep it.

Thursday, August 11, 2016

Thoughts on behavior and feelings

Sometimes we get focused on solely on behavior.
On one hand, that is understandable because behavior is observable and measurable.
On the other hand, the motivation and feelings behind the behavior are vital but difficult to quantify and make tangible.
 
In one sense feelings are not right or wrong, they just exist. Our behavior is what counts.
But you can't separate them in living your life.  You can't feel without it affecting your behavior and what you do will affect your feelings.
 
In one sense commitment to a relationship is vital for its success.

In another sense, for a relationship to work the commitment must be mutual.

Sunday, July 24, 2016

“Good Lessons from Bad Examples” Acts 5:1-11; I Cor 10:6; July 24th , 2016

“Good Lessons from Bad Examples”
Acts 5:1-11; I Cor 10:6; July 24th , 2016

We all grew up with a mix of good examples and bad examples.
>My dad was a good example of being financially responsible.
>My dad was a bad example in communication skills.

We also see good examples and bad examples around us.
>I have a friend in Spokane who is an example of a very good father.
>Our current political season has lots of bad examples of candidates demonizing each other.

We can learn from good examples (like Barnabas last week) and we can learn from bad examples (like Ananias and Sapphira).

The first lesson.
I. Evaluate motivation: In their desire for acclaim they misrepresented their generosity (11-2)
1 But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, 2 and with his wife’s knowledge he kept back for himself some of the proceeds and brought only a part of it and laid it at the apostles’ feet.

Evaluating motivation can be a tricky activity.
>On one hand, we should do the right things for the right reasons.
“Do all things for the glory of God.”
>On the other hand, if I waited to clearly have the right motivation for everything, I don’t think I would ever do anything.

We need to ask ourselves
Is what I am saying true or doing true to God’s standards?
Is it loving? Will it help anyone? Will this reflect the character of Jesus?


II. Be Honest:  why did you lie to God and misrepresent your gift? (3-4)

3 But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land?
4 While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own?
And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal?
Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart?
You have not lied to man but to God.”

A warning passage in I Corinthians
1 Corinthians 11:27-32 (ESV)

There is a clear parallel is verses 3 & 4.
lying to the Holy Spirit is exactly the same as lying to God.
This verse is a clear declaration of the Deity of the Holy Spirit.


III. Don’t Presume: Judgment is sometimes sooner than people expect (5-6)
5 When Ananias heard these words, he fell down and breathed his last.
And great fear came upon all who heard of it.
 6 The young men rose and wrapped him up and carried him out and buried him.

God judged Ananias directly. His time was up.

Years later, the Apostle Peter wrote.....
1 Peter 4:17 (ESV) 17 For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?

IV. Don’t miss opportunities to come clean   (7)

7 After an interval of about three hours his wife came in, not knowing what had happened.

V. Remember God’s holiness:  why did you test the Spirit of the Lord by misrepresenting your gift? (8-9)

8 And Peter said to her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for so much.” And she said, “Yes, for so much.”
9 But Peter said to her, “How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord?
Behold, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.”

How close can I get to the line to something I should not do without a consequence? How much can I  get away with? Those are questions reflecting of a bad attitude.

We are clearly warned.....
Deuteronomy 6:16 (ESV) 16 “You shall not put the LORD your God to the test, as you tested him at Massah.

VI. The Lord’s clear judgment leads the church to fear God (10-11)

10 Immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last.
When the young men came in they found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her beside her husband.
11 And great fear came upon the whole church and upon all who heard of these things.

God’s judgment was as clear on Sapphira as it was on her husband Ananias. Sometimes when believers cross the line, God judges them.

Most of the time God disciplines His Children, Hebrews 12:7-11
The greater purpose of God’s kingdom and the church’s holiness were at stake so God judged this couple.

If God positively answers our prayers for revival, one of the clear signs of that will be a much greater sense of the greatness and holiness of God.

We are to never take God for granted..

To the early believers, as they tried to figure out what this act of judgment on this couple meant
I would think they asked a version of this.....

Was the Lord Making a point or Setting a Pattern?

Saturday, July 2, 2016

Outline for Acts 4:13-22

“Opportunity Came Knocking”
Acts 4:13-22
July 3rd, 2016

The implications of the public miraculous sign from God

I. To the established religious leaders of the time [13-18]
A. Amazed at the boldness and clear testimony of Peter and John who had been discipled by Jesus (13)
13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and  perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished.  And they recognized that they had been with Jesus. 

B. In a  Quandary on account of the presence of the cured man who was lame.(14)
14 But seeing the man who was healed standing beside them, they had 
nothing to say in opposition. 

C. Deliberation and warning to Peter and John (15-17)
15 But when they had commanded them to leave the council,  they conferred with one another, 
16   saying, “What shall we do with these men? For that a notable sign has been performed through them is evident to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. 
17 But in order that it may spread no further among the people,  let us warn them to speak no more to anyone in this name.” 

D. Command to Peter and John not to speak or teach about Jesus (18)
18 So they called them and  charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. 


II. To the witnesses of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus ......

A. They challenged the religious leaders to acknowledge the authority of God (19)
19  But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God,  you must judge, 

B. They rejected a ban on their speaking (4:20)
 20 for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.” 

III. To the established religious leaders continued hardhearted response [21-22]

A. They threatened and then released Peter and John (21a)

21a And when they had further threatened them, they let them go,

B. They were intimated by the crowds who were praising God (21b)
21b  finding no way to punish them, because of the people,  for all were praising God for what had happened.
C. They could not deny the reality of the miracle (22)
22 For the man on whom this sign of healing was performed was more than forty years old.