Category: Choices

God Uses Even Poor Choices (Insights in Prophets)

11/17/2010

I have put God in a box by trying to figure out how God's sovereignty fits with man's responsibility. Our human mind can't fully comprehend this wonderful truth. God uses my wrong choices to accomplish His will. Because God's ways are so high, I don't understand it. Judges 14 shows how Samson's unwise decisions accomplished God's will.

Because a daughter of the Philistines looked good to Samson, he asked his parents to get her as his wife. They hoped he would take a wife from their relatives. Samson's parents did not know it was of the Lord, for He was seeking an occasion against the Philistines who were ruling over Israel (Judges 14:1-4). God can take our sin and still accomplish His purposes in the world. God's ways and not our ways (Is. 55:8-9).

When a lion came roaring toward him, the Spirit of Lord came mightily upon Samson. He tore the lion with his hand, but did not tell his parents what he did. He then talked to the woman and she looked good to Samson. He found a swarm of bees in carcass, ate the honey and gave some to his parents (Judges 14:5-9). When children refuse to be accountable to their parents, they set themselves up for a downward slide and ultimate failure.

When his father went down to the woman, he made a feast for 30 companions. He challenged them with a riddle: “Out of eater came something to eat, and out of strong came something sweet.” If they figured the riddle in three days, they would get 30 linen wraps and 30 changes of clothes. The companions threatened to burn her father's house if she didn't tell them the riddle since they felt impoverished not knowing its meaning (Judges 14:10-15). Arts and entertainment can be used creatively to get people to think about spiritual matters.

Because Samson's wife wept seven days until he told her the riddle, the men of the city said him, “What is sweeter than honey? And what is stronger than a lion?” Samson responded, “If you had not plowed with my heifer, you would not have found out my riddle” (Judges 14:16-18). The devil prowls about like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour but resist him being firm in faith so He can perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you (1 Pet. 5:8-10).

The Spirit of Lord rushed upon Samson mightily and killed 30 companions, took their spoil and gave changes of clothes to those who told the riddle. His anger burned and he went up to his father’s house. Samson’ wife was given to his best man (Judges 14:19-20). God’s sovereignty transforms our unwise decisions into accomplishing His purposes. Your responsibility is to be zealous and not lukewarm about your faith.

God is sovereign and man is responsible, two sides of the coin. Rom. 9 explains divine sovereignty, "Jacob I loved and Esau I hated," and Rom. 10 shows human responsibility: "How can they believe without a preacher." The passage we just studied shows the interplay between God's sovereignty and man's responsibility or irresponsibility.

How is God working out His sovereign plan in your life? How have you seen your wrong choices turn out for good?

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When Following Directions Makes A Difference

8/6/2010

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Life goes better when we follow directions. Our car lasts longer when we service it according to owner’s manual. Staying under the speed limit eliminates tickets. We lose our employment if we don’t follow company guidelines. Disobeying our mother and father causes chaos in the home. This study will show how these principles play out in the life of Noah.

After the flood, God blessed Noah and his sons by renewing his original command to humankind to multiply descendants on the earth (Gen. 1:28; 9:1). Blessing literally means, “bend the knee,” which implies a sense of reverence and awe of God. Noah’s family could eat any animal (Gen. 9:3). At the same time, God forbid Noah or anyone to kill a human being and argued for the legitimacy of capital punishment because “in the image of God He made man” (Gen. 9:5-7). God gives us great freedom. He also lays out guidelines for our benefit and protection.

God formalized His relationship to Noah through a covenant or contract accompanied by signs, sacrifices and a solemn oath. He sealed the relationship with promises of blessing for obedience and curses for disobedience. God established this agreement with all generations and provided a sign, the rainbow (Gen. 9:9-14). When we see the rainbow, it’s an instant reminder that blessings come when we obey and curses when we disobey. In addition, when we fear God through praise and prayer to Him, we experience real living because He always delivers on His promises. God’s covenant with Noah protects His creation forever from another devastating flood (Gen. 9:15).

Noah’s descendants through his three sons, Shem, Ham and Japheth, repopulated the earth in obedience to God (Gen. 9:18-19). Noah farmed and planted a vineyard (Gen. 9:20). We have freedom to choose and enjoy a vocation.

Next we have an example of how blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience play out in real life using Noah as an example. After Noah got drunk, Ham, father of Canaan, told his two brothers of his father’s nakedness (Gen. 9:22). This shameful and disgraceful incident implied that something unclean occurred. In contrast, Shem and Japheth covered and did not see Noah’s nakedness (Gen. 9:23). Their action signified the covering of sin by confessing it and receiving God’s forgiveness. Here are the results of these two actions:
1. God cursed Canaan (Ham’s son) to be a servant for his
   brothers
2. God blessed Shem and Japheth by ruling and enlarging
   their territory (Gen. 9:25-27).

Here are the consequences of sin:
1. Sin, missing the mark in following God’s guidelines in the Bible, devastates our families to the third and fourth
   generations (Ex. 34:7).
2. When we confess sin, we experience God’s blessing,
   lovingkindness and enrichment in every area of our lives.

Noah lived 350 years after the flood (Gen. 9:28). The word, lived, literally means enjoyment or revived. God doesn't demand sinless perfection, but commands us to acknowledge any sin through confession of it. We really live and experience abundance when we either avoid sin or confess any known sin from us or our parents rather than hiding or saying we have no sin (I John 1:8-10).

Spend a season confessing your own and your parents' sin. How does that make you feel?

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How to Navigate in a Culture of Moral Relativism

8/3/2010

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Children have a sense of justice and truth. While growing up, we all face situations when someone took advantage of us. After bringing home a spoiled banana from a grocery store, we demand a refund. When a movie doesn't live up to its billing, we feel cheated. Our life insurance policy doesn't cover a procedure listed in the small print so we get angry.

The Psalmist faced a similar situation or just cause and felt violated (Ps. 17:1). He wanted justice! How do we protect ourselves from moral relativism and the associated injustice we all face in the world? The rest of the Psalm will answer that question so let's take a look:
1. Judge your own heart first (Ps. 17:1b-4). Take the log our of your eye to correctly judge the situation (Matt. 7:1-5). So many times, we get on our moral crusade criticizing the government, schools, supervisor or another person before looking at the sin in our own heart first. We will be judged in the same standard we judge others (Matt. 7:2).
2. Hold fast to God's word (Ps. 17:5). The wisdom in the Psalms, Proverbs and Job are especially helpful here.
3. Cry to God and expect an answer (Ps. 17:6). How often do we pray and either don't listen or figure that since God won't answer our prayers, why continue asking, seeking and knocking (Matt. 7:7-12).
4. Experience God's love (Ps. 17:7-8). We are the apple of God's eye. He loves us more than we can imagine. The word, Savior, literally means "to be open, wide, or free." God's love has no bounds. He wants us to be free and not cramped so we can fulfill all our God-given potential. He pays such particular attention to us like He had no one else to care for in the universe. Did you get that? God is wild about you and wants you to succeed beyond anything you could imagine!
5. God watches and guards us from worldly philosophies (Ps. 17:8-12). The world is crafty. Even Christian organizations get trapped in prioritizing business management techniques instead of asking for God's counsel as we observed in the last blog concerning the Gibeonites (Josh. 9). At its best, the lure of the world's promises for success or short-term pleasure. Ultimately, it will enslave
us. At its worst, we experience an unfeeling heart instead of compassion. The church is better equipped than government in social service because believers in Christ have the power of God that overcomes the world (John 16:33).

The Psalm ends with the just cause like it began. How do we obtain the justice and integrity we so desperately long for? It comes only through a relationship with Christ as we continually meditate on Him through the pages of Scripture (Ps. 17:15; 2 Cor. 3:16-18; James 1:25). Christ provides all the resources we need to live in a moral relativistic culture.

Meditate on Psalm 17. How has your thought process changed concerning a circumstance or troubled relationship you currently face after meditating on Psalm 17.

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How To Be Protected From Compromise

8/2/2010

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How many times have you gotten in trouble by making a quick decision? You may face a major financial purchase and don’t do the proper research. A teenager may make a snap decision on who to date without learning about the character of the young man or woman. An employer may not check references of a potential hire. These quick decisions often come back to haunt us.

Lack of confidence and fear will lead to defeat in our lives as we observed in an earlier blog post about Ai (Josh. 8). But over-confidence and compromise also defeat us. Because news had spread concerning the military exploits of Joshua and the Israelite army, all the Canaanite, Hitite, Amorite, Perizzite, Hivite and Jebusite kings gathered together in one accord to fight Joshua (Josh. 9:1-2). They were nervous.

This concern motivated Gibeon to act craftily and send out envoys in worn-out clothes pretending they were from far country so Joshua would make a covenant with them (Josh. 9:3-13). Israel took some of their provisions, but did not ask for the Lord’s counsel. Joshua made peace by entering into a covenant with them, leading to an oath to let them live (Josh. 9:14-15).

How easy to rush into things and not ask God what He thinks! Deception and compromise occur when we don’t ask for God’s counsel. As a result, the whole congregation grumbled against leaders (Josh. 9:18). Anyone, especially leaders, lose their credibility when they don’t stop and ask directions from God. The Gibeonites became slaves and took the most thankless jobs, hewers of wood and drawers of water, for the whole congregation (Josh. 9:21).

Of course, Joshua was angry for being deceived, which ultimately was his fault for not asking God what to do. Upon questioning the Gibeonite why they deceived him, they acknowledged Israel was following God’s command to destroy all the inhabitants of the land (Josh. 9:22-24). Their fear led to them lying.

A principle for parents or anyone in authority: Be careful not to threaten your children, employees or those you are managing, as they will lie to protect themselves. Instead, lead in prayer so the truth comes out in a relaxed, unrushed setting. Intimidated people lie to protect themselves. For business owners, ask for God’s counsel before forming any strategic partnerships to prevent any compromise of your mission.

Asking God for wisdom protects us from deception and compromise. For any decision you are facing, ask God for wisdom and listen to what He says to you, which could be a promise or principle from God’s word.

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How To Get The Spark Back Into Your Life

7/31/2010

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For many of us, God seems far away. We don’t sense any closeness with Him. Our prayers seem to boomerang back to us without reaching God. We experience deadness in our spirit. Life is humdrum without any excitement. How can we experience the supernatural working of God and even more importantly, properly steward it so His miracles are not wasted or corrupted?

Because God remembered Noah and all of His creation in the ark, He caused a wind to dry up the water on the earth. It took 150 days until the water decreased, the same length of time water came upon the earth in the first place (Gen. 7:24-8:3). A total of 10 months elapsed before the tops of the mountains became visible (Gen. 8:5). Sometimes God works instantaneously. Other times, His miracles occur over many months, even years.

Four times, Noah sent out a raven or dove to test whether the water was gone from the earth (Gen. 8:6-12). Human responsibility and structure is required to properly steward God’s miracles so it’s not wasted or corrupted. If Noah had left the ark too early, he would have drown, wasting 100 years building the ark.

We position ourselves to hear God once we carry out our responsibilities. When Noah determined the earth was dry after getting information from the birds, God told him to leave the ark with the creatures so they could multiply upon the earth (Gen. 8:15-17).

We become a fragrant aroma to God when we totally surrender our lives as a burnt offering to Him. We either sacrifice to pursue God’s agenda or become selfish following our agenda! Sin always leads to God’s curse upon us in being despised, insignificant and of little worth to Him (Gen. 8:21). A fragrant aroma is God smelling us with pleasure.

How do we surrender ourselves to God and become that fragrant aroma to Him? We can follow Noah’s pattern by looking at 2 Chron. 7:14-16. The four steps in v. 14 provide the structure to properly steward the release of God’s miracles in our lives and world like Noah:
1. Humble self
2. Pray
3. Seek God’s face
4. Turn from wicked ways

The three results of humbling self, praying, seeking God’s face and turning from wicked ways release God’s miracles individually and corporately in last part of v. 14:
1. God hears us
2. Forgive our sin (individual)
3. Heal our land physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually (corporate)

We also become a fragrant aroma to God in vs. 15-16:
1. God focuses his eyes on us
2. God listens to us attentively
3. God places His name on us forever
4. God moves His heart toward us forever An example is God promise to maintain the days and seasons as long as the earth endures (Gen. 8:22).

A modern day example of the land being healing is Fiji.

Spend at least 15 minutes to humble, pray, seek and turn from your wicked ways. Take out a piece of paper and write down how you feel and what God says to you. Share what you did with one other person.

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What Gives You Most Delight?

7/28/2010

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What gives you the most delight? If you could only save one thing from a house fire, what would it be? Would your most prized possession be family photos, a computer or antique dresser? The Psalmist said there was only one thing he deemed beautiful, delightful or good. Let's see what he chose and why?

The Psalmist said he had no good besides God! Believers in Christ and God were his primary delight. Those two relationships gave him the most pleasure (Psalm 16:1-3) Does spending time with God and believers give you more pleasure than anything you own? If something besides God becomes your greatest joy, then you are making that thing an idol. You will experience sorrow (Psalm 16:4).

For example, Moses chose the people of God instead of the treasures of Egypt (Heb. 11:24-27). Earthy possessions reap short term reward or "passing pleasures of sin." Our relationship with God and believers reap eternal reward. We have a choice! Either we keep our eye on God or on earthly treasures, which will rust away, lose their value in the stock market or be stolen by thieves (Matt. 6:19-24). When we delight in God and believers, not only do we gain eternal reward, but live an abundant and full life on earth (John 10:10).

What are the benefits of pursuing a relationship with God and believers? The rest of the Psalm answers that question:
1. God provides inheritance and meets all our needs (Psalm 16:5)
2. God provides housing and meets our financial needs (Psalm 16:6).
3. God provides counsel and meets our mental needs (Psalm 16:7).
4. God provides friendship and meets our emotional needs (Psalm 16:8)
5. God provides safety and meets our physical needs (Psalm 16:9)
6. God provides a home in heaven and meets our spiritual needs (Psalm 16:10)
7. God provides an abundant life on earth as we experience joy and real pleasure (Psalm 16:11).

Is God your greatest delight? Spend time right now in worship by adoring Him. Watch this video on how we play at religion.

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Do You Want to Live A Better Life? Great, Now What?

7/22/2010

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Most people want to live better lives. If you go to any bookstore, there are many self-help books with advice on how to improve as a wife, husband, parent or employee. The first step in Alcoholics Anonymous is to admit you are powerless over alcohol and that your life has become unmanageable.

The Psalmist surveyed humankind and concluded everyone's hearts are morally corrupt leading to evil deeds. No one is righteous or good. All have forsaken God and become unfruitful (Psalm 14:1-3). None have the wisdom, skill or expertise to be successful in God's eyes.

We see evidence of apostasy all around us. People in our culture are not seeking or calling upon God. Unfortunately, the church often operates like the world by not fearing God. As a result, we experience anxiety and dread instead of peace and contentment. Is there any hope? Will we remain stuck in our addictions? Can we escape the rut of disappointment and experience freedom and joy? The answer is YES! God is with the righteous generation because they make Him their refuge (Psalm 14:4-6). Aid, deliverance and victory comes to the distressed. Our fortunes will be resored (Psalm 14:7). The first key is to trust God and not ourselves. None of us have the power in ourselves to overcome addictions or sin.

Like Noah we observed in earlier posts, God is with the righteous generation but against the wicked like Achan (Gen. 6; Josh. 7). What are the character qualities of a righteous generation? The next Psalm answers that question.

Before a person can become righteous, he has to acknowledge his utter spiritual bankruptcy described in Psalm 14. Like a person in AA, we are powerless to live righteously. Who can walk with integrity, live righteousness and speak truth in his heart? (Psalm 15:1-2). In other words, how do you know if you are a stable, faithful and trustworthy person in doing the right thing? The following character qualities illustrate a righteous person (Psalm 15:3-5):
1. Allows no slander to come from his lips
2. Commits no evil toward another person
3. Holds no grudge and does not blame others
4. Honors the good and despises evil
5. Keeps promises even when it costs
6. Refuses to take advantage of others for financial gain

First, acknowledge that no good dwells in you. If you haven't placed your faith in Christ's death and resurrection for your sins, transfer trust in yourself and place it completely upon Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. This restores your relationship with God.

For those who have a personal relationship with God, meditate on the truth that apart from Christ who can do nothing before you can abide in Christ (John 15:5-7). Ask for the filling of the Holy Spirit to live out the new life expressed in Psalm 15.

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Is God Calling You To Do Something Outrageous? (Insights in Law)

7/19/2010

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One of the most challenging things we can do is stand alone in the midst of peer pressure. Should a student cheat on a test to get a good grade like his classmates? What about telling a lie to your boss or parent so you can look good or not get in trouble? Withholding income on a tax form to pay less tax is very tempting. We face thorny decisions and moral dilemmas everyday. It's easier to go with the flow instead of standing alone or doing something outrageous.

In Noah's day, men increased in numbers. Women were beautiful and delightful to them (Gen. 6:1-2). Our mates should be beautiful and pleasant to us. We should enjoy them. God gives us freedom to choose who we should marry. However, we will suffer severe consequences if we become unequally yoked in marriage to someone who doesn't share a similar faith in God as ourselves.

God saw a great problem in Noah's world. He became fed up with humankind so limited their days to 120 years (Gen. 6:3). Previously, people were living greater than 900 years, like Methuselah, who lived to be 969 years.

The next verse explains why God was disturbed. Nephilim or men of renown living during this era were bullies, violent and disrepectful toward others (Gen. 6:4-7). Their wickedness, literally a negative attitude toward God or others, greatly concerned the Lord. Every inclination of their heart was evil. Their imagination to do evil filled the Lord with pain. He decided to wipe out the whole human race. The evil or sin we have starts with negative and false thoughts about God. It limits the length and quality of our lives.

But Noah found favor, kindness,and grace before God. He had three admirable qualities: righteous and honest, blameless with integrity and walked with God instead of following the ways of the world like those around him (Gen. 6:8-9).

What is the most outrageous thing that God could ask you to do? Well, let's look in on Noah. God told him to build a big ship or ark to hold his family and two of every kind of animal to save them from a worldwide flood. How would you respond to something so outrageous? Well, Noah obeyed God in every detail, even constructing the ark according to the dimensions the Lord laid out (Gen. 6:14-17,19-20). Do we follow God's directions even when they seem impractical or outrageous? Are we strong enough to stand up against people questioning our sanity when they hurl verbal abuse at us? Will we sacrifice our agenda and follow God's?

God established a covenant with Noah accompanied by signs, sacrifices and a solemn oath. He established a special relationship with Noah by revealing pomises for obedience and curses for disobedience to him and his family, which was the custom for agreements during that time (Gen. 6:18). Families will prosper and endure when they obey and seek a relationship with God over a lifetime. It takes work and sacrifice to provide for our families (Gen. 6:21).

Noah carried God's commands even in the midst of inconvenience (Gen. 6:22). God is not looking for external or superficial commitment, but obedience from our heart even when the going gets tough. For example, doing this blog involves great sacrifice in writing and learning the technology.

In summary, sin orginates from the heart and adversely affects relationships. In contrast, integrity and purity of heart allows one to experience the favor and grace of God to prepare for what God calls us to do.

Are you facing an uncomfortable choice today? How will you follow Noah's example?

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How to Restore Broken Relationships (Insights in Law)

7/9/2010

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Building good relationships is complicated and challenging. Life becomes so frantic that we don't take time to listen to our spouse in marriage or give focused attention to our children. God has made women and men different, not only physically, but in their emotional life. Men want respect. Women desire love. Women's concern is the home and men's focus is often the workplace, even if both spouses work. Navigating between different generations of parents and children bring their own set of issues. Parents see things more black and white. Young people keep their options open and have a hard time committing to things.

What we believe or don’t believe about God influences our behavior and how we relate to people. Proverbs says our heart determines our life (Prov. 4:23). God had no regard for Cain’s grain offering, while Abel’s sacrifice of the first-born from his flock pleased Him (Gen. 4:3-5a). I believe Cain had a bad heart, not that he offered a grain offering. Cain’s unbelief led to anger. By asking Cain why he was angry and depressed, God wanted Cain to admit his problem, which was unbelief and lack of trust in Him (Gen. 4:6).

The best way to get people to face issues is to ask questions. Since Cain’s depression should have gotten his attention, God used a follow-up exhortation to motivate him to seek victory over his sin (Gen. 4:5b-7). Showing no remorse, Cain asked disgustedly, “Am I my brother’s keeper?” (Gen. 4:9). In other words, why should I be interested in relationships?

Isn’t God asking a similar question to us in the way we treat others? We can easily murder people with our lips by putting them down or being impatient and angry (Matt. 5:21-22). God doesn't forget how we treat people since their voice is crying out to Him (Gen. 4:10).

When relationships get too tough or complicated, we can be like Cain and flee from God's presence instead of facing the problem. A subtle way we escape from God is through accomplishments. Cain went out from the presence of the Lord and built a city where livestock, music and implements were developed (Gen. 4:16-17, 20-22).

In the midst of ruin, there is hope. After Seth’s son Enosh was born, men began to call upon the name of the Lord (Gen. 4:26). A 2-minute video will give you further encouragement to restore those broken relationships.

Remember that God is most interested in the attitude of your heart, not outward actions. Cain’s unbelief displeased God. His anger and desire for sin led to his murder of Abel. The shedding of innocent blood brought the curse of unreconciled relationships. Without the fear of God, relationships tear apart. The curse not only affected families, but even affected agriculture through low yields from the ground (Gen. 4:12).

Let God scan your heart right now. What does He see? How is your heart affecting your speech? Confess your sin to God and call upon His help while claiming His forgiveness by faith!

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Why Is It So Hard to Live a Good Life? (Insights in Law)

7/5/2010

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Why does it seem hard to live a good life? We experience fear, shame and then try to control others. A prior blog encouraged us to repent of our sin, but even that seems difficult. We know what we are supposed to do, be we just can't get the motivation or power to do it. What is giving us so much problem?

The problem started with Adam and Eve in the garden. Not only does God have a plan for our lives, but Satan does too. He produced doubt in Adam's and Eve's faith by deceptively saying that they should not eat from any tree of the garden (Gen. 3:1). Satan wants us to deny the trustworthiness of both Scripture and God by adding a legalistic and more restrictive spin to His law (Gen. 3:3).

Satan also entices us toward short-term, worldly pleasure apart from the will of God. Satan tempted Adam and Eve to eat “from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil” because it appealed to their senses (Gen. 2:17; 3:6).

Their sin in eating the forbidden fruit caused them to hide from God and one another because of fear, anger and shame (Gen. 3:7-13). God created humankind to have intimacy with Him. This transparent communication in prayer and listening to His word occurred as long as Adam and Eve stayed in the garden. Satan’s plan was to undermine intimacy with God by sending Adam and Eve out of the garden (Gen. 3:23). God was still sovereign, even in this unfortunate incident just as He will be in our lives when we make wrong choices.

None of us know what a day will bring forth. We do not live in a vacuum since an enemy always seeks to devour us. Satan’s tempts us through the desires of our flesh (pleasure), eyes (power) and seeking possessions (prestige) instead of loving God (I John 2:16). Sin damages our relationship with God. People either fight in anger or flee in fear.

How is Satan tempting you today? Claim by faith an appropriate section of Scripture to counteract that specific temptation in your life.

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God Uses Even Poor Choices (Insights in Prophets)

When Following Directions Makes A Difference

How to Navigate in a Culture of Moral Relativism

How To Be Protected From Compromise

How To Get The Spark Back Into Your Life

What Gives You Most Delight?

Do You Want to Live A Better Life? Great, Now What?

Is God Calling You To Do Something Outrageous? (Insights in Law)

How to Restore Broken Relationships (Insights in Law)

Why Is It So Hard to Live a Good Life? (Insights in Law)

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