James 4:3 When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.
It appears from this verse that it is categorically wrong to desire more money so that we might afford more pleasure. Pleasure-seeking is a wrong reason to ask God for more money and the reason he withholds money.
Is it therefore always wrong to spend money on pleasure? Is there legitimate pleasure, despite its financial expense, that we should be purchasing? Can pleasure afforded with money, lead to holiness or does it always detract? Where do we get our answers? Do we simply compare ourselves with others, justify our spending with private answers, or is there a biblical answer? In order to have confidence and peace before God in this issue, we need a Consumer-Theology.
Is there a right amount, a justifiable percentage, a dollar figure that God wants me to spend on my pleasure? Is pleasure that requires spending always wrong? If not, what verses would I point to?
1Ti 6:17 Teach those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which is so unreliable. Their trust should be in God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment.
In this verse, God recognizes our “need” for enjoyment and meets it. And if God gives “all” we need to enjoy, surely this points away from material wealth and towards the “all” that comes with Christ as in Ro 8:32 “He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?
The “all things” we have to enjoy and anticipate here are divine forgiveness, acceptance, and love. We have the Church, the Kingdom, holiness, the sure hope of a perfectly happy eternity, but these things are not afforded with money, so how do we really decide how much money a believer is entitled to spend on his pleasure? Are we prepared to listen to God on this point?
If the best things in life are free, how much does God want us to spend on making life a little better? If the believer learned to authentically enjoy Christ, would it free up money for mission? How can I look at my own habits without being condemning of others?
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Repentance: A Gift from God Part 2
Isa 55:11 …my word that goes out from my mouth… will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
God intends and brings about the repentance of his chosen-ones, by making certain the comprehension of his word, which communicates the reasonableness and desirableness of repentance. Once a person is informed and convinced, repentance is freely embraced.
The Bible’s reasonableness and truthfulness and unapologetic authority are used by God to light up the beauty of, “Repent and turn to God.” (Ac 26:20) But that beauty is not seen by all. All are not chosen, purposed, intended to see it.
Acts 9:22 Saul’s preaching became more and more powerful, and the Jews in Damascus couldn’t refute his proofs that Jesus was indeed the Messiah. 23 After a while some of the Jews plotted together to kill him.
C.S. Lewis in “The Screwtape Letters” explains, “You see, God doesn’t wish to overwhelm us. He’s put us in a position where our will can go in either direction. We are responsible for our decision. It’s what we choose to see that matters. In order for us to have that choice, God leaves things so that we have to seek them.”
This is at best a slice of truth; an occasional explanation of God’s seeming-lack of involvement. This could only be said of those whom God allows to freely reject him, to those, whose eternity is determined by their choice rather than God’s choice.
Those God purposes, intends, chooses to repent, to those he grants the gift of repentance, “overwhelming” is exactly what he does. Consider Paul’s reason for choosing to repent.
Acts 9:3 As he was approaching Damascus on this mission, a light from heaven suddenly shone down around him. 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul! Saul! Why are you persecuting me?” 5 “Who are you, lord?” Saul asked. And the voice replied, “I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting! 6 Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” 7 The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. 8 Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus.
It is reasonable to say from this text that God “overwhelmed” Paul, so that Paul might see repentance as the best (and only logical) course of action. This devastating combination of inescapable accountability and conviction and despair and alarm and hopelessness and dread and obvious need for mercy and new willingness to cling to the mercy of God, is the force God uses to necessarily and certainly produce repentance in the hearts of those he purposes to transform through repentance.
Those God intends to justify and sanctify and glorify are brought initially and then, again and again to a certainty of the benefits of repentance, sometimes overwhelmingly so.
By his word, he continually convinces, by small measures and by large, that there is nothing better that we could do than to turn from our sin and turn to God.
God intends and brings about the repentance of his chosen-ones, by making certain the comprehension of his word, which communicates the reasonableness and desirableness of repentance. Once a person is informed and convinced, repentance is freely embraced.
The Bible’s reasonableness and truthfulness and unapologetic authority are used by God to light up the beauty of, “Repent and turn to God.” (Ac 26:20) But that beauty is not seen by all. All are not chosen, purposed, intended to see it.
Acts 9:22 Saul’s preaching became more and more powerful, and the Jews in Damascus couldn’t refute his proofs that Jesus was indeed the Messiah. 23 After a while some of the Jews plotted together to kill him.
C.S. Lewis in “The Screwtape Letters” explains, “You see, God doesn’t wish to overwhelm us. He’s put us in a position where our will can go in either direction. We are responsible for our decision. It’s what we choose to see that matters. In order for us to have that choice, God leaves things so that we have to seek them.”
This is at best a slice of truth; an occasional explanation of God’s seeming-lack of involvement. This could only be said of those whom God allows to freely reject him, to those, whose eternity is determined by their choice rather than God’s choice.
Those God purposes, intends, chooses to repent, to those he grants the gift of repentance, “overwhelming” is exactly what he does. Consider Paul’s reason for choosing to repent.
Acts 9:3 As he was approaching Damascus on this mission, a light from heaven suddenly shone down around him. 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul! Saul! Why are you persecuting me?” 5 “Who are you, lord?” Saul asked. And the voice replied, “I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting! 6 Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” 7 The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. 8 Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus.
It is reasonable to say from this text that God “overwhelmed” Paul, so that Paul might see repentance as the best (and only logical) course of action. This devastating combination of inescapable accountability and conviction and despair and alarm and hopelessness and dread and obvious need for mercy and new willingness to cling to the mercy of God, is the force God uses to necessarily and certainly produce repentance in the hearts of those he purposes to transform through repentance.
Those God intends to justify and sanctify and glorify are brought initially and then, again and again to a certainty of the benefits of repentance, sometimes overwhelmingly so.
By his word, he continually convinces, by small measures and by large, that there is nothing better that we could do than to turn from our sin and turn to God.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Repentance: A Gift from God Part 1
1Sa 2:25 Eli’s sons wouldn’t listen to their father, for (because) the LORD was already planning to put them to death.
The reason given for their unwillingness to listen to a life-giving rebuke was because of something already determined in the heart of God.
1Sa 3:11 The LORD said to Samuel… 14 “I have vowed that the sins of Eli and his sons will never be forgiven by sacrifices or offerings.”
1Sa 4:11 The ark of God was captured, and Eli’s two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, died.
It is God who grants repentance, allowing his chosen ones to see how detestable our sins are, providing also the power and the will do violence to them.
The conclusion of those who heard Peter’s account of the Spirit’s coming upon Gentiles was this, (Ac 11:18) “We can see that God has also given the Gentiles the privilege of repenting of their sins and receiving eternal life.”
This is our prayer for those who refuse to listen and for our own stubborn hearts that cherish long-held sin. (2Ti 2:25) “That God will grant them (us) repentance leading them (us)to a knowledge of the truth, 26 and that they (we) will come to their (our) senses…”
Sovereign God, grant us repentant hearts that see the horror of our sin in the light of the beauty of your holiness. Give us the determination and the perseverance to walk away, to really change and be all for you.
The reason given for their unwillingness to listen to a life-giving rebuke was because of something already determined in the heart of God.
1Sa 3:11 The LORD said to Samuel… 14 “I have vowed that the sins of Eli and his sons will never be forgiven by sacrifices or offerings.”
1Sa 4:11 The ark of God was captured, and Eli’s two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, died.
It is God who grants repentance, allowing his chosen ones to see how detestable our sins are, providing also the power and the will do violence to them.
The conclusion of those who heard Peter’s account of the Spirit’s coming upon Gentiles was this, (Ac 11:18) “We can see that God has also given the Gentiles the privilege of repenting of their sins and receiving eternal life.”
This is our prayer for those who refuse to listen and for our own stubborn hearts that cherish long-held sin. (2Ti 2:25) “That God will grant them (us) repentance leading them (us)to a knowledge of the truth, 26 and that they (we) will come to their (our) senses…”
Sovereign God, grant us repentant hearts that see the horror of our sin in the light of the beauty of your holiness. Give us the determination and the perseverance to walk away, to really change and be all for you.
Monday, June 8, 2009
Looking AT the “Glass Darkly”
We sing. Open the Eyes of My Heart Lord. I Want to See You!
Our demand / desire is no different from those quoted below…
John 12:21 "Sir," they said, "we would like to see Jesus."
John 14:8 Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied.”
And this is Jesus joy…
John 17:26 I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them."
John 17:3 Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.
Though for us there is some frustration, some impatience.
1Co 13:12 Now we see things imperfectly as in a cloudy mirror…
It only takes a small, self-righteous adjustment of focus to look at the surface of the mirror and its imperfections instead of looking at the likeness it is meant to display.
Our pleasures, our family members, our churches. All are fraught with shortcomings that leave us less than satisfied, less than joyous. Even the Bible provides only a partial experience of God, but then, all is meant to be looked through, looked beyond to see something else: the One to whom everything refers.
Ro 11:36 For everything comes from him and exists by his power and is intended for his glory. All glory to him forever! Amen.
We want to see perfection. We will. Just not yet.
1Co 13:12 Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face.
Our demand / desire is no different from those quoted below…
John 12:21 "Sir," they said, "we would like to see Jesus."
John 14:8 Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied.”
And this is Jesus joy…
John 17:26 I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them."
John 17:3 Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.
Though for us there is some frustration, some impatience.
1Co 13:12 Now we see things imperfectly as in a cloudy mirror…
It only takes a small, self-righteous adjustment of focus to look at the surface of the mirror and its imperfections instead of looking at the likeness it is meant to display.
Our pleasures, our family members, our churches. All are fraught with shortcomings that leave us less than satisfied, less than joyous. Even the Bible provides only a partial experience of God, but then, all is meant to be looked through, looked beyond to see something else: the One to whom everything refers.
Ro 11:36 For everything comes from him and exists by his power and is intended for his glory. All glory to him forever! Amen.
We want to see perfection. We will. Just not yet.
1Co 13:12 Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Speak, O Lord
There is a beautiful prayer set to music that begins this way,
“Speak, O Lord, as we come to You
To receive the food of Your Holy Word.
Take Your truth, plant it deep in us;
Shape and fashion us in Your likeness,
I imagine this as the assuredly answered, waking prayer of my every day.
It is impossible to describe the utter bleakness and barrenness, darkness and despair from which I first uttered such a prayer at age 19. Certain I was hell-bound and in desperate need of God, I begged relentlessly, sleeplessly for a word from him, though I had no idea how he would speak until I remembered my Gideon’s Bible. And He spoke.
Now I live the antithesis of that deprivation. Now God is never silent. He never stops speaking his word to me.
Psalm 1:1-2
Oh, the joys of those who... delight in the law of the LORD, meditating on it day and night.
Psalm 19:1-2 The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge.
Psalm 139:7 Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?
8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. 9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea,
10 even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.
Psalm 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.
For those who choose to listen, who have been chosen to hear, God never stops talking.
“Speak, O Lord, as we come to You
To receive the food of Your Holy Word.
Take Your truth, plant it deep in us;
Shape and fashion us in Your likeness,
I imagine this as the assuredly answered, waking prayer of my every day.
It is impossible to describe the utter bleakness and barrenness, darkness and despair from which I first uttered such a prayer at age 19. Certain I was hell-bound and in desperate need of God, I begged relentlessly, sleeplessly for a word from him, though I had no idea how he would speak until I remembered my Gideon’s Bible. And He spoke.
Now I live the antithesis of that deprivation. Now God is never silent. He never stops speaking his word to me.
Psalm 1:1-2
Oh, the joys of those who... delight in the law of the LORD, meditating on it day and night.
Psalm 19:1-2 The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge.
Psalm 139:7 Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?
8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. 9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea,
10 even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.
Psalm 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.
For those who choose to listen, who have been chosen to hear, God never stops talking.
Monday, June 1, 2009
Wealth and Joy Beyond Measure
Today is the first of solitude and study on this three month sabbatical I have been granted to enjoy. I feel as though I have walked into a room filled with something greater than treasure.
Spurgeon writes concerning the, “fullness and richness of the Bible… it is inexhaustible…. A long life will only suffice us to skirt the shores of this great continent of light. In the forty years of my own ministry, I have only touched the hem of the garment of divine truth; but what virtue has flowed out of it. The word is like its Author, infinite, immeasurable, without end. If you were ordained to be a preacher throughout eternity, you would have before you a theme equal to everlasting demands.” Pg 23-24 “The Greatest Fight in the World” C.H. Spurgeon
John 16
12 “There is so much more I want to tell you, but you can’t bear it now.
13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future. 14 He will bring me glory by telling you whatever he receives from me. 15 All that belongs to the Father is mine; this is why I said, ‘The Spirit will tell you whatever he receives from me.'
Spurgeon writes concerning the, “fullness and richness of the Bible… it is inexhaustible…. A long life will only suffice us to skirt the shores of this great continent of light. In the forty years of my own ministry, I have only touched the hem of the garment of divine truth; but what virtue has flowed out of it. The word is like its Author, infinite, immeasurable, without end. If you were ordained to be a preacher throughout eternity, you would have before you a theme equal to everlasting demands.” Pg 23-24 “The Greatest Fight in the World” C.H. Spurgeon
John 16
12 “There is so much more I want to tell you, but you can’t bear it now.
13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future. 14 He will bring me glory by telling you whatever he receives from me. 15 All that belongs to the Father is mine; this is why I said, ‘The Spirit will tell you whatever he receives from me.'
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