2 Corinthians 3:7-11
Now if the ministry of death, carved in letters on stone, came with such glory that the Israelites could not gaze at Moses' face because of its glory, which was being brought to an end, 8 will not the ministry of the Spirit have even more glory? 9 For if there was glory in the ministry of condemnation, the ministry of righteousness must far exceed it in glory. 10 Indeed, in this case, what once had glory has come to have no glory at all, because of the glory that surpasses it. 11 For if what was being brought to an end came with glory, much more will what is permanent have glory.
Glory x10; Ministry x4
God made people to desire glory. Glory is inescapable. It is not a question of IF people will seek glory, but from where and by what means will they try to achieve, secure, dispense and stockpile glory.
Ministry is a matter of glory. It is meant to lead people to the glory that they already desire. It is designed to provide a taste of what is yet to come. The ministry of death was not meant to last forever. The glory that attended its dispensing dwindled until it was no more. It was made for a season and that season was meant to give way to a new season. The ministry of the Spirit is attended by the glory of an eternal feast. It is an endless table of inexhaustible satisfaction.
Thursday, February 28, 2019
Wednesday, February 27, 2019
day no. 14,737: a sustainable source of sufficiency
Repeated words often reveal the point of a passage.
2 Corinthians 2:15-17
For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, 16 to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things? 17 For we are not, like so many, peddlers of God's word, but as men of sincerity, as commissioned by God, in the sight of God we speak in Christ.
2 Corinthians 3:4-6
Such is the confidence that we have through Christ toward God. 5 Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God, 6 who has made us sufficient to be ministers of a new covenant.
When we preach the Gospel, we are condemning the unrepentant and commending the faithful. Those who harden hear death and those who soften hear life -- "the same sun that melts the ice, hardens the clay."
The Gospel smells. Whether it stinks or whether it welcomes depends on how it is heard. It is either rotten fish or fresh bread.
Q: Who is sufficient to carry a message with that kind of impact? Who in their right mind would count themselves competent to dispense a message when so much is at stake?
A: Only those who say what God has said. Those who edit God's Word to make it sound less deadly and those who add to God's Word to help it sound more lively assume a sufficiency from somewhere other than God.
We are commanded to follow the recipe and serve the supper. How it smells or how it's received by those we serve is up to God.
2 Corinthians 2:15-17
For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, 16 to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things? 17 For we are not, like so many, peddlers of God's word, but as men of sincerity, as commissioned by God, in the sight of God we speak in Christ.
2 Corinthians 3:4-6
Such is the confidence that we have through Christ toward God. 5 Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God, 6 who has made us sufficient to be ministers of a new covenant.
When we preach the Gospel, we are condemning the unrepentant and commending the faithful. Those who harden hear death and those who soften hear life -- "the same sun that melts the ice, hardens the clay."
The Gospel smells. Whether it stinks or whether it welcomes depends on how it is heard. It is either rotten fish or fresh bread.
Q: Who is sufficient to carry a message with that kind of impact? Who in their right mind would count themselves competent to dispense a message when so much is at stake?
A: Only those who say what God has said. Those who edit God's Word to make it sound less deadly and those who add to God's Word to help it sound more lively assume a sufficiency from somewhere other than God.
We are commanded to follow the recipe and serve the supper. How it smells or how it's received by those we serve is up to God.
Tuesday, February 26, 2019
day no. 14,736: you can take the girl out of the Garden, but you can't take the Garden out of the girl
When God expelled Adam from the garden; He sent a garden out with him.
Genesis 3:15
I will put enmity between you and the woman,
and between your seed and her Seed;
He shall bruise your head,
and you shall bruise His heel.
The woman was the soil from which the Seed would come.
Genesis 3:20
The man called his wife's name Eve, because she was the mother of all living.
Adam believed God's promise and named his wife, "Eve" because she was the soil in which the seed would be planted -- Eve was the garden.
For Eve, deception led to expulsion, but conception would lead to salvation.
1 Timothy 2:13-15
For Adam was formed first, then Eve; 14 and Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and became a transgressor. 15 Yet she will be saved through childbearing—if they continue in faith and love and holiness, with self-control.
Eve may have been kicked out of the garden for her sin, but a garden was planted inside Eve for her salvation.
You can take Eve out of the Garden, but you can't take the Garden out of Eve.
Genesis 3:15
I will put enmity between you and the woman,
and between your seed and her Seed;
He shall bruise your head,
and you shall bruise His heel.
The woman was the soil from which the Seed would come.
Genesis 3:20
The man called his wife's name Eve, because she was the mother of all living.
Adam believed God's promise and named his wife, "Eve" because she was the soil in which the seed would be planted -- Eve was the garden.
For Eve, deception led to expulsion, but conception would lead to salvation.
1 Timothy 2:13-15
For Adam was formed first, then Eve; 14 and Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and became a transgressor. 15 Yet she will be saved through childbearing—if they continue in faith and love and holiness, with self-control.
Eve may have been kicked out of the garden for her sin, but a garden was planted inside Eve for her salvation.
You can take Eve out of the Garden, but you can't take the Garden out of Eve.
Monday, February 25, 2019
day no. 14,735: comfort and affliction
2 Corinthians 1:3-7
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 5 For as we share abundantly in Christ's sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too. 6 If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; and if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which you experience when you patiently endure the same sufferings that we suffer. 7 Our hope for you is unshaken, for we know that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in our comfort.
I have said it before and I will say it again, "when God speaks, listen; when God speaks repeatedly, listen better!"
The word, "comfort," appears 10 times in this passage.
The word, "afflication," or "suffering" appears 7 times.
So if you were to take a stab at what you thought this section of Scripture was about, you'd be sniffing up the right tree if you were to say, "I think it's about comfort and affliction."
Nailed it!
God is a Comforter. He does not comfort us, for the time being, by removing all opportunity for discomfort: i.e. affliction or suffering. It is better for us, for the time being, to be comforted by His presence in the midst of affliction and suffering than it is to have no affliction or suffering.
Since this is true for all people, we will run into no lack of others who are suffering or experiencing affliction. Since we have been comforted by God, we can also comfort others. In fact, the very reason we have been comforted is so that we could and would be a comfort to others.
Christ suffered in order to provide comfort; by His wounds, we are healed; by His sufferings, we are comforted. So in Christ we are united by our sufferings and by our comforts. We find unity in suffering for the same types of things: beliefs and behaviors that accompany a life which is submitted to Christ. And we find unity in the same kinds of comforts: the hope and endurance which come from God through Christ.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 5 For as we share abundantly in Christ's sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too. 6 If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; and if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which you experience when you patiently endure the same sufferings that we suffer. 7 Our hope for you is unshaken, for we know that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in our comfort.
I have said it before and I will say it again, "when God speaks, listen; when God speaks repeatedly, listen better!"
The word, "comfort," appears 10 times in this passage.
The word, "afflication," or "suffering" appears 7 times.
So if you were to take a stab at what you thought this section of Scripture was about, you'd be sniffing up the right tree if you were to say, "I think it's about comfort and affliction."
Nailed it!
God is a Comforter. He does not comfort us, for the time being, by removing all opportunity for discomfort: i.e. affliction or suffering. It is better for us, for the time being, to be comforted by His presence in the midst of affliction and suffering than it is to have no affliction or suffering.
Since this is true for all people, we will run into no lack of others who are suffering or experiencing affliction. Since we have been comforted by God, we can also comfort others. In fact, the very reason we have been comforted is so that we could and would be a comfort to others.
Christ suffered in order to provide comfort; by His wounds, we are healed; by His sufferings, we are comforted. So in Christ we are united by our sufferings and by our comforts. We find unity in suffering for the same types of things: beliefs and behaviors that accompany a life which is submitted to Christ. And we find unity in the same kinds of comforts: the hope and endurance which come from God through Christ.
Sunday, February 24, 2019
day no. 14,734: not what they think they are
1 Corinthians 14:37-38
If anyone thinks that he is a prophet, or spiritual, he should acknowledge that the things I am writing to you are a command of the Lord. 38 If anyone does not recognize this, he is not recognized.
If anyone thinks they know what they're talking about or have access to spiritual realities, but do not at the same time submit themselves to the authoritative Word of God, they are not what they think they are. They are what God says they are: not a prophet or spiritual, despite whatever credentials they can produce.
Anyone who is legit recognizes the legitimacy of God's Word. Anyone who does not recognize this standard is not worth recognizing or attributing any authority to. You do not have to listen to anyone who does not listen to God when it comes to matters related to spirit and truth.
If anyone thinks that he is a prophet, or spiritual, he should acknowledge that the things I am writing to you are a command of the Lord. 38 If anyone does not recognize this, he is not recognized.
If anyone thinks they know what they're talking about or have access to spiritual realities, but do not at the same time submit themselves to the authoritative Word of God, they are not what they think they are. They are what God says they are: not a prophet or spiritual, despite whatever credentials they can produce.
Anyone who is legit recognizes the legitimacy of God's Word. Anyone who does not recognize this standard is not worth recognizing or attributing any authority to. You do not have to listen to anyone who does not listen to God when it comes to matters related to spirit and truth.
Saturday, February 23, 2019
day no. 14,733: there are some classes you ought to be failing
1 Corinthians 14:20
Brothers, do not be children in your thinking. Be infants in evil, but in your thinking be mature.
We should be like babies when it comes to wickedness. Babies are conceived in wickedness, but not well acquainted with it yet. They don't understand the nuance of deception. We, likewise, should not seek to be well-versed in the ways of underhandedness.
Conversely, we should strive to become seasoned veterans when it comes to our thinking. We should not stay practicing our ABC's forever. Some learn their shapes and colors sooner than others, but a 20 year old should no longer be boasting about his or her ability to have a three-sided, red triangle dead to rights.
Romans 16:19
For your obedience is known to all, so that I rejoice over you, but I want you to be wise as to what is good and innocent as to what is evil.
We should be devoted to graduate level classwork on goodness and be failing the world's courses on evil. That doesn't mean we shouldn't be aware of the currency the world is dealing in, but it does mean that we shouldn't seek their accreditation when it comes to the ins and outs of being or doing evil.
Brothers, do not be children in your thinking. Be infants in evil, but in your thinking be mature.
We should be like babies when it comes to wickedness. Babies are conceived in wickedness, but not well acquainted with it yet. They don't understand the nuance of deception. We, likewise, should not seek to be well-versed in the ways of underhandedness.
Conversely, we should strive to become seasoned veterans when it comes to our thinking. We should not stay practicing our ABC's forever. Some learn their shapes and colors sooner than others, but a 20 year old should no longer be boasting about his or her ability to have a three-sided, red triangle dead to rights.
Romans 16:19
For your obedience is known to all, so that I rejoice over you, but I want you to be wise as to what is good and innocent as to what is evil.
We should be devoted to graduate level classwork on goodness and be failing the world's courses on evil. That doesn't mean we shouldn't be aware of the currency the world is dealing in, but it does mean that we shouldn't seek their accreditation when it comes to the ins and outs of being or doing evil.
Friday, February 22, 2019
day no. 14,732: we see what we worship
Isaiah 40:26
Lift up your eyes on high and see: who created these?
We see what we worship in whatever we see. If you are consumed by bitterness, you see every possible infraction and imagine several others. If you are consumed by the fear of man, you read into every word spoken or unspoken. If you are consumed by Christ, you see Him in every circumstance.
Who or what do you worship? One way to tell is to ask yourself what you're seeing. Where do you look and what do you see when you look there?
Lift up your eyes on high and see: who created these?
We see what we worship in whatever we see. If you are consumed by bitterness, you see every possible infraction and imagine several others. If you are consumed by the fear of man, you read into every word spoken or unspoken. If you are consumed by Christ, you see Him in every circumstance.
Who or what do you worship? One way to tell is to ask yourself what you're seeing. Where do you look and what do you see when you look there?
Thursday, February 21, 2019
day no. 14,731: pleasure, presence and promises
Hebrews 11:6
Without faith it is impossible to please Him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who seek Him.
Nothing you can do outside of faith can please God.
However, He is well pleased with any who have faith.
Faith believes in His presence and in His promises.
that He's really there and that He's really worth it!!!
Without faith it is impossible to please Him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who seek Him.
Nothing you can do outside of faith can please God.
However, He is well pleased with any who have faith.
Faith believes in His presence and in His promises.
that He's really there and that He's really worth it!!!
Wednesday, February 20, 2019
day no. 14,730: strengths according to their kinds
God made men strong so that they would use their strength to lead, serve, provide and protect.
God made women strong so that they would use their strength to cultivate beauty, nurture life, make home, and make babies.
Who is stronger? Depends on the task at hand.
Men are better than women... at being men.
Women are better than men... at being women.
Is a hammer better than a toothbrush? Depends on the task at hand.
If we're driving nails, hand me a hammer.
If we're brushing teeth, hand me a toothbrush.
What is better? Driving nails or brushing teeth?
I'll let G.K. take it from here...
If I set the sun beside the moon,
And if I set the land beside the sea,
And if I set the flower beside the fruit
And if I set the town beside the country
And if I set the man beside the woman
I suppose some fool would talk
About one being better.
- G.K. Chesterton
God made women strong so that they would use their strength to cultivate beauty, nurture life, make home, and make babies.
Who is stronger? Depends on the task at hand.
Men are better than women... at being men.
Women are better than men... at being women.
Is a hammer better than a toothbrush? Depends on the task at hand.
If we're driving nails, hand me a hammer.
If we're brushing teeth, hand me a toothbrush.
What is better? Driving nails or brushing teeth?
I'll let G.K. take it from here...
If I set the sun beside the moon,
And if I set the land beside the sea,
And if I set the flower beside the fruit
And if I set the town beside the country
And if I set the man beside the woman
I suppose some fool would talk
About one being better.
- G.K. Chesterton
Tuesday, February 19, 2019
day no. 14,729: from determines for
When you know where you're from, you know what you're for.
Adam was made from dirt which means he was made for the earth.
In other words, man was made for work in the world.
Eve was made from man which means she was made for mankind.
In other words, woman was made for work in the home.
Men are called to the foreign theater of the war. They are called to go out and work the world over, wrestling fruit from it and bringing it home for his family.
Women are called to the domestic theater of the war. They are called to be home and make it more home-y, cultivating beauty and nurturing the life of the family.
When God disciplines Adam and Eve for their sin, the consequences follow their corresponding created origin and order.
Eve was made from man so her consequences correspond to mankind: her work of nurturing life is going to be much more complicated and accompanied by far more pain; additionally, her willingness to fulfill her role as a helper is going to be complicated by her desire to rule the roost since she's the one who is most often there. Her heart is going to be filled with squatter's rights and subject's wrongs.
Adam was made from dirt so his consequences correspond to the earth: his work of tending to the ground and getting its fruit is going to be much more complicated and accompanied by far more pain; additionally, his desire to work the world over is going to be tested by its thorns and thistles. The difficulties that attend his occupation will now tempt him to throw his hands up and quit OR throw his back into it without any respite. In other words, he will tempted to be a lazy bum or a workaholic.
Adam was the first born and so his consequences come last because the buck stops with him and the head always must answer for the body, the leader for its members.
Adam was made from dirt which means he was made for the earth.
In other words, man was made for work in the world.
Eve was made from man which means she was made for mankind.
In other words, woman was made for work in the home.
Men are called to the foreign theater of the war. They are called to go out and work the world over, wrestling fruit from it and bringing it home for his family.
Women are called to the domestic theater of the war. They are called to be home and make it more home-y, cultivating beauty and nurturing the life of the family.
When God disciplines Adam and Eve for their sin, the consequences follow their corresponding created origin and order.
Eve was made from man so her consequences correspond to mankind: her work of nurturing life is going to be much more complicated and accompanied by far more pain; additionally, her willingness to fulfill her role as a helper is going to be complicated by her desire to rule the roost since she's the one who is most often there. Her heart is going to be filled with squatter's rights and subject's wrongs.
Adam was made from dirt so his consequences correspond to the earth: his work of tending to the ground and getting its fruit is going to be much more complicated and accompanied by far more pain; additionally, his desire to work the world over is going to be tested by its thorns and thistles. The difficulties that attend his occupation will now tempt him to throw his hands up and quit OR throw his back into it without any respite. In other words, he will tempted to be a lazy bum or a workaholic.
Adam was the first born and so his consequences come last because the buck stops with him and the head always must answer for the body, the leader for its members.
Monday, February 18, 2019
day no. 14,728: words matter
If God says something once, it should be enough. When God says something 7,365 times, it should be more than enough.
TOP 100 BIBLE NOUNS IN THE KJV
The word, "Lord" is the most popular noun used in the Bible, occurring 7,365 times.
LORD - 7365
GOD - 4293
MAN - 2747
ISRAEL - 2509
PEOPLE - 2271
LORD is by far and away the most popular noun in Bible which leaves no doubt as to WHO the Main Character is and WHAT the book is about.
Q: Who is the hero? The protagonist? The LORD!
GOD is the second most popular word. So when combined with LORD, it's 11,658 times that the words LORD or GOD are used.
The next most popular word is MAN, at 2,747 times. Even when combined with ISRAEL and PEOPLE it's still only 7,527, which is much less than LORD/GOD.
So the Bible is primarily about God and secondarily it's about people, specifically this people Israel (whom the NT says are those who worship Jesus - i.e. true Israel)
That's what THIS story is about.
TOP 100 BIBLE NOUNS IN THE KJV
The word, "Lord" is the most popular noun used in the Bible, occurring 7,365 times.
LORD - 7365
GOD - 4293
MAN - 2747
ISRAEL - 2509
PEOPLE - 2271
LORD is by far and away the most popular noun in Bible which leaves no doubt as to WHO the Main Character is and WHAT the book is about.
Q: Who is the hero? The protagonist? The LORD!
GOD is the second most popular word. So when combined with LORD, it's 11,658 times that the words LORD or GOD are used.
The next most popular word is MAN, at 2,747 times. Even when combined with ISRAEL and PEOPLE it's still only 7,527, which is much less than LORD/GOD.
So the Bible is primarily about God and secondarily it's about people, specifically this people Israel (whom the NT says are those who worship Jesus - i.e. true Israel)
That's what THIS story is about.
Sunday, February 17, 2019
day no. 14,727: ordained spheres of influence
God is the Head of the government of everything
Christ is the Head of the government of all peoples.
The Civil Magistrate is the Head of the government of its particular people.
The Church is the Head of the government of its particular assembly.
The Father is the Head of the government of his family.
The Husband is the Head of the government of his wife.
The Individual is the Head of the government of their self.
All authority begins with and comes from God.
No earthly authority is absolute.
Any authority that demands what God forbids or forbids what God demands is to be disobeyed inasmuch as their demand conflicts with their Authority's demands.
Sin means that all earthly authorities will fail to fulfill their responsibilities at some point or overstep their jurisdiction at other points.
Each has its own kill-switch:
God can destroy the world.
Christ can destroy the soul.
The Civil Magistrate can destroy the body.
The Church can excommunicate the congregant.
The Father can disinherit the child.
The Husband can divorce the wife.
The Individual can die to their self.
At each level, government can break down or build up; and each level is given the responsibility to build and break particular things - to raise and to raze within its jurisdictions.
Earthly governments categorically breakdown into three broad sections: Country, Church, Family.
The Civil Magistrate's jurisdiction is the sword of justice: punishing evil doers and protecting the innocent of its people.
The Church's jurisdiction is the Word, sacraments, and discipline of its people.
The Family's jurisdiction is the welfare, health, and education of its people.
Christ is the Head of the government of all peoples.
The Civil Magistrate is the Head of the government of its particular people.
The Church is the Head of the government of its particular assembly.
The Father is the Head of the government of his family.
The Husband is the Head of the government of his wife.
The Individual is the Head of the government of their self.
All authority begins with and comes from God.
No earthly authority is absolute.
Any authority that demands what God forbids or forbids what God demands is to be disobeyed inasmuch as their demand conflicts with their Authority's demands.
Sin means that all earthly authorities will fail to fulfill their responsibilities at some point or overstep their jurisdiction at other points.
Each has its own kill-switch:
God can destroy the world.
Christ can destroy the soul.
The Civil Magistrate can destroy the body.
The Church can excommunicate the congregant.
The Father can disinherit the child.
The Husband can divorce the wife.
The Individual can die to their self.
At each level, government can break down or build up; and each level is given the responsibility to build and break particular things - to raise and to raze within its jurisdictions.
Earthly governments categorically breakdown into three broad sections: Country, Church, Family.
The Civil Magistrate's jurisdiction is the sword of justice: punishing evil doers and protecting the innocent of its people.
The Church's jurisdiction is the Word, sacraments, and discipline of its people.
The Family's jurisdiction is the welfare, health, and education of its people.
Saturday, February 16, 2019
day no. 14,726: sacramental
The Church is built on the foundation of (1) the Word and (2) the sacraments and the Main Character of both.
Baptism is an orientation, initiation, accreditation into the Christian community. It is a confirmation that the faith you have is not imagined or in your own head, but observed and confirmed as credible by an outside, qualified party.
Communion is the continuing education of the Christian community. It reminds us of the first things and invites us to make them the first thing. It is an invitation to go forward by going back, a remembrance of what was done to fuel what's left to do.
And all who believe and receive them are welcome.
Friday, February 15, 2019
day no. 14,725: the unity of diversity is best achieved by the clarity of disparity
"As a matter of fact, the more the sexes are in violent contrast the less likely they are to be in violent collision." - G.K. Chesterton
The unity of diversity is best achieved by the clarity of the disparity - the more everyone stays in their lane, the fewer the accidents.
The unity of diversity is best achieved by the clarity of the disparity - the more everyone stays in their lane, the fewer the accidents.
Thursday, February 14, 2019
day no. 14,724 continued... four loves
Happy Valentine's Day!!!
Thank you, Mom. You were the first woman I ever loved. (storge)
Thank you, Paige. You are the love of my life. I have chosen my love and I love my choice. You are it for me. (eros, philia)
Thank you, Penelope: You are the apple of my eye and the joy of my heart. You are a wonderful helper, a creative writer, a beautiful singer/songwriter and a funny joke-teller -- particularly puns (storge, philia)
Thank you, Laurelai: You are my little lady and my biggest fan. You are often the last face I see before I leave for work and the first face I see once I arrive home. (storge, philia)
Thank you, Callista: You are the sweetest little gal. You copy me from across the table during dinner, smiling and bobbing back and forth, playing peek-a-boo behind glasses of milk and burying your head into my legs when you want up, or a hug, or both (storge, philia)
Thank you, brand new baby girl Van Voorst: You are a little peanut and I can't wait to meet you. I have seen your face on the 3D ultrasound and am working with your mom to find the perfect name for you. You may be the fourth girl, but you are the first to break the boy-girl pattern. (storge, philia)
I love the ladies God has given me and am filled with gratitude. (agape)
Thank you, Mom. You were the first woman I ever loved. (storge)
Thank you, Paige. You are the love of my life. I have chosen my love and I love my choice. You are it for me. (eros, philia)
Thank you, Penelope: You are the apple of my eye and the joy of my heart. You are a wonderful helper, a creative writer, a beautiful singer/songwriter and a funny joke-teller -- particularly puns (storge, philia)
Thank you, Laurelai: You are my little lady and my biggest fan. You are often the last face I see before I leave for work and the first face I see once I arrive home. (storge, philia)
Thank you, Callista: You are the sweetest little gal. You copy me from across the table during dinner, smiling and bobbing back and forth, playing peek-a-boo behind glasses of milk and burying your head into my legs when you want up, or a hug, or both (storge, philia)
Thank you, brand new baby girl Van Voorst: You are a little peanut and I can't wait to meet you. I have seen your face on the 3D ultrasound and am working with your mom to find the perfect name for you. You may be the fourth girl, but you are the first to break the boy-girl pattern. (storge, philia)
I love the ladies God has given me and am filled with gratitude. (agape)
day no. 14,724: dissing order
1 Corinthians 12:27-31
Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. 28 And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? 30 Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? 31 But earnestly desire the higher gifts.
You would be hard-pressed not to see that 1 Corinthians pummels one point relentlessly home: order!
There is an order to things. There is a reason things are the way they are. There is a reason things should go forward a certain way.
God has appointed FIRST apostles, SECOND prophets, THIRD teachers, THEN miracles, THEN gifts of healing, THEN helping, THEN administrating, THEN various kinds of tongues.
This is not haphazard.... this is the order of things. Not for example, but for the record.
Q: Is everyone everything?
A: No!
Q: Does that mean that some have been given gifts that are higher than others?
A: Yes!
Q: If you were wishing for gifts, which should you wish for?
A: The higher ones.
Q: Which are the higher ones?
A: Apostles, prophets, teachers, miracles... and in that order.
1 Corinthians 14:1-4
Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy. 2 For one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God; for no one understands him, but he utters mysteries in the Spirit. 3 On the other hand, the one who prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation. 4 The one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself, but the one who prophesies builds up the church. 5 Now I want you all to speak in tongues, but even more to prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be built up.
Q: Why does Paul paint prophesy as the highest gift one should hope for?
A: Because it's better than the other gifts.
Now at this point you might point out that apostle is higher than prophet, so why didn't Paul encourage the Corinthians to wish for that gift? Because that office is closed and there is a no vacancy sign posted outside.
So the "especially" is prophecy. It is the greater gift, the one you should want even more of. It is the one on which there is no limitation in number. The more prophets, the better. Whereas the apostles are limited in number.
Many don't pray for any spiritual gifts. They assume they have what they have. But those who do desire them, almost unilaterally desire the lower gifts. It makes sense, only a prophet would pay enough attention to the details and honor the essence of Scripture enough to actually read it and do what it says. So where prophets are lacking, glory-whores abound. The lower gifts have more flash: miracles, healing and tongues oh my! But prophets and teachers, Biblically speaking, are higher gifts, but less desirable to many. I add the caveat, Biblically speaking, not only to clarify that these are in fact higher gifts, but also to emphasize that they are only higher when defined Biblically. Many clamor to be a prophet or a teacher in a manner that is very unBiblical and yet very esteemed. In those circles, being a prophet is an enviable position or being a teacher is an honored gift, but it is obtained, rewarded and achieved by means and for ends that are entirely unBiblical.
1 Corinthians 14:33
God is not a God of disorder
Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. 28 And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? 30 Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? 31 But earnestly desire the higher gifts.
You would be hard-pressed not to see that 1 Corinthians pummels one point relentlessly home: order!
There is an order to things. There is a reason things are the way they are. There is a reason things should go forward a certain way.
God has appointed FIRST apostles, SECOND prophets, THIRD teachers, THEN miracles, THEN gifts of healing, THEN helping, THEN administrating, THEN various kinds of tongues.
This is not haphazard.... this is the order of things. Not for example, but for the record.
Q: Is everyone everything?
A: No!
Q: Does that mean that some have been given gifts that are higher than others?
A: Yes!
Q: If you were wishing for gifts, which should you wish for?
A: The higher ones.
Q: Which are the higher ones?
A: Apostles, prophets, teachers, miracles... and in that order.
1 Corinthians 14:1-4
Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy. 2 For one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God; for no one understands him, but he utters mysteries in the Spirit. 3 On the other hand, the one who prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation. 4 The one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself, but the one who prophesies builds up the church. 5 Now I want you all to speak in tongues, but even more to prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be built up.
Q: Why does Paul paint prophesy as the highest gift one should hope for?
A: Because it's better than the other gifts.
Now at this point you might point out that apostle is higher than prophet, so why didn't Paul encourage the Corinthians to wish for that gift? Because that office is closed and there is a no vacancy sign posted outside.
So the "especially" is prophecy. It is the greater gift, the one you should want even more of. It is the one on which there is no limitation in number. The more prophets, the better. Whereas the apostles are limited in number.
Many don't pray for any spiritual gifts. They assume they have what they have. But those who do desire them, almost unilaterally desire the lower gifts. It makes sense, only a prophet would pay enough attention to the details and honor the essence of Scripture enough to actually read it and do what it says. So where prophets are lacking, glory-whores abound. The lower gifts have more flash: miracles, healing and tongues oh my! But prophets and teachers, Biblically speaking, are higher gifts, but less desirable to many. I add the caveat, Biblically speaking, not only to clarify that these are in fact higher gifts, but also to emphasize that they are only higher when defined Biblically. Many clamor to be a prophet or a teacher in a manner that is very unBiblical and yet very esteemed. In those circles, being a prophet is an enviable position or being a teacher is an honored gift, but it is obtained, rewarded and achieved by means and for ends that are entirely unBiblical.
1 Corinthians 14:33
God is not a God of disorder
Wednesday, February 13, 2019
day no. 14,723: becoming a man begins by giving up
1 Corinthians 13:11
When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways.
If a boy is to become a man, he must begin by giving up boyishness.
There are ways that are unique to children that must be abandoned in order to graduate to the next phase. There are many boys who can shave. Their beards begin to grow though their childish ways remain. They grow muscle and chest hair without giving up a single thing. These are not men. These are children with bank accounts. These are boys with bachelor's degrees.
Becoming a man begins by giving up.
If you can't say, "No," to yourself, you're not a man. If your glory is in your past, your future looks dim. But if you have exchanged the ways of "becoming" and have embraced the ways of "became" you will have glory ahead of you, childishness behind you and responsibility in front of you. Emerging adults are still children unless they emerge. And until they do, they are still babies. And unless they do, they will never grow up.
Becoming a man begins by giving up.
Instead of handing down the bad habits of abdication, men should aim to give up the habits of procrastination.
When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways.
If a boy is to become a man, he must begin by giving up boyishness.
There are ways that are unique to children that must be abandoned in order to graduate to the next phase. There are many boys who can shave. Their beards begin to grow though their childish ways remain. They grow muscle and chest hair without giving up a single thing. These are not men. These are children with bank accounts. These are boys with bachelor's degrees.
Becoming a man begins by giving up.
If you can't say, "No," to yourself, you're not a man. If your glory is in your past, your future looks dim. But if you have exchanged the ways of "becoming" and have embraced the ways of "became" you will have glory ahead of you, childishness behind you and responsibility in front of you. Emerging adults are still children unless they emerge. And until they do, they are still babies. And unless they do, they will never grow up.
Becoming a man begins by giving up.
Instead of handing down the bad habits of abdication, men should aim to give up the habits of procrastination.
Tuesday, February 12, 2019
day no. 14,722: whatever moves you
1 Corinthians 12:2
You know that when you were pagans you were led astray to mute idols, however you were led.
If our only concern is being or feeling moved by something, we will subject ourselves to whatever presumes to push us around.
Idols can move us, but they cannot lead us anywhere other than astray. And there are a million different ways to go astray. They may vary by degree, but they invariably lead away.
And though we may comfort ourselves with having felt moved, we will curse ourselves for where we end up.
You know that when you were pagans you were led astray to mute idols, however you were led.
If our only concern is being or feeling moved by something, we will subject ourselves to whatever presumes to push us around.
Idols can move us, but they cannot lead us anywhere other than astray. And there are a million different ways to go astray. They may vary by degree, but they invariably lead away.
And though we may comfort ourselves with having felt moved, we will curse ourselves for where we end up.
Monday, February 11, 2019
day no. 14,721: the clarity of the disparity between "from" and "for"
1 Corinthians 11:7-10
(Man) is the image and glory of God, but woman is the glory of man. 8 For man was not made from woman, but woman from man. 9 Neither was man created for woman, but woman for man. 10 That is why a wife ought to have a symbol of authority on her head, because of the angels.
Q: From where was man made?
A: Not from woman
Q: From where was woman made?
A: From man
Q: Why was man made?
A: Not for woman
Q: Why was woman made?
A: For man
This is not that complicated. If you can read, you can understand this. It's difficulty is not in it's language. That is clear. It's difficulty is in application.
Q: But if that's true then...
Yes, that's the difficult part and yes, it is true.
Q: Why bring angels into this?
A: The answer is another question
Q: For whom were angels made?
A: As helpers for man
Hebrews 1:14 speaking angels says...
Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation?
So the wife ought to wear a symbol of authority on her head in order to acknowledge the order of things, that she has a head, and that she is under it just as the angels ought to acknowledge the order of things, that they have a head, and that they are under it as their assigned post given to them as a high calling from God.
But some angels, not content with this assigned post, rebelled and removed not only the symbol of authority from their heads, but the position of authority from their lives -- and instead of freedom, they found bondage. In their desire to rule somewhere else instead of serve where they were placed, they fastened their own chains and forfeited the liberty they previously possessed.
(Man) is the image and glory of God, but woman is the glory of man. 8 For man was not made from woman, but woman from man. 9 Neither was man created for woman, but woman for man. 10 That is why a wife ought to have a symbol of authority on her head, because of the angels.
Q: From where was man made?
A: Not from woman
Q: From where was woman made?
A: From man
Q: Why was man made?
A: Not for woman
Q: Why was woman made?
A: For man
This is not that complicated. If you can read, you can understand this. It's difficulty is not in it's language. That is clear. It's difficulty is in application.
Q: But if that's true then...
Yes, that's the difficult part and yes, it is true.
Q: Why bring angels into this?
A: The answer is another question
Q: For whom were angels made?
A: As helpers for man
Hebrews 1:14 speaking angels says...
Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation?
So the wife ought to wear a symbol of authority on her head in order to acknowledge the order of things, that she has a head, and that she is under it just as the angels ought to acknowledge the order of things, that they have a head, and that they are under it as their assigned post given to them as a high calling from God.
But some angels, not content with this assigned post, rebelled and removed not only the symbol of authority from their heads, but the position of authority from their lives -- and instead of freedom, they found bondage. In their desire to rule somewhere else instead of serve where they were placed, they fastened their own chains and forfeited the liberty they previously possessed.
Sunday, February 10, 2019
day no. 14,720: two by two by two
1 Corinthians 11:2-6
Now I commend you because you remember me in everything and maintain the traditions even as I delivered them to you. 3 But I want you to understand that the head of every man is Christ, the head of a wife is her husband, and the head of Christ is God. 4 Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head, 5 but every wife who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head, since it is the same as if her head were shaven. 6 For if a wife will not cover her head, then she should cut her hair short. But since it is disgraceful for a wife to cut off her hair or shave her head, let her cover her head. 7 For a man ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God, but woman is the glory of man.
TWO HEADS
I once heard it said that anything with two heads is a monster. And so it is for the Godhead, the church, and the home. Hierarchy is not a result of the Fall. It does not spring up from the ash heap of a ruined civilization, but comes down to us as a model of the highest Heaven.
TWO OPTIONS
For a man to give his strength to his wife is to dishonor his commanding officer. If a general puts a man in charge of a battalion, it dishonors the general for that man to shirk the privilege and responsibility he was given. The general chose him for the task, so what does it say about the man's respect of the general if he acts as though he is free to listen or not, obey or disobey, execute or delegate his assigned task?
Given the reality of this, a wife is also left with two choices: be under the head assigned to her through her marriage vows or be out from under her head. It is not graceful to let your head think you are under them while letting everyone else know who's really in charge around here... that is disgraceful. Either because it's not true and it's a lie or because it is true and it's a shame.
TWO GLORIES
Man is the glory of God and woman is the glory of man. These two glories are not competing against each other for last glory standing or America's next best glory. These are complementary glories. There is an order to them and there is a purpose unique to them, but they are not in a position to change their position. These are statements of fact. Man IS the glory of God, even when he acts like his Y chromosome makes him a second class citizen. Woman IS the glory of man, even when she acts like she wears the pants. The man is still the glory of God when he's reneging his responsibilities -- he's just reflecting it poorly. The woman is still the glory of man when she's tongue-lashing his position --- she's just reflecting it poorly.
Now I commend you because you remember me in everything and maintain the traditions even as I delivered them to you. 3 But I want you to understand that the head of every man is Christ, the head of a wife is her husband, and the head of Christ is God. 4 Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head, 5 but every wife who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head, since it is the same as if her head were shaven. 6 For if a wife will not cover her head, then she should cut her hair short. But since it is disgraceful for a wife to cut off her hair or shave her head, let her cover her head. 7 For a man ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God, but woman is the glory of man.
TWO HEADS
I once heard it said that anything with two heads is a monster. And so it is for the Godhead, the church, and the home. Hierarchy is not a result of the Fall. It does not spring up from the ash heap of a ruined civilization, but comes down to us as a model of the highest Heaven.
TWO OPTIONS
For a man to give his strength to his wife is to dishonor his commanding officer. If a general puts a man in charge of a battalion, it dishonors the general for that man to shirk the privilege and responsibility he was given. The general chose him for the task, so what does it say about the man's respect of the general if he acts as though he is free to listen or not, obey or disobey, execute or delegate his assigned task?
Given the reality of this, a wife is also left with two choices: be under the head assigned to her through her marriage vows or be out from under her head. It is not graceful to let your head think you are under them while letting everyone else know who's really in charge around here... that is disgraceful. Either because it's not true and it's a lie or because it is true and it's a shame.
TWO GLORIES
Man is the glory of God and woman is the glory of man. These two glories are not competing against each other for last glory standing or America's next best glory. These are complementary glories. There is an order to them and there is a purpose unique to them, but they are not in a position to change their position. These are statements of fact. Man IS the glory of God, even when he acts like his Y chromosome makes him a second class citizen. Woman IS the glory of man, even when she acts like she wears the pants. The man is still the glory of God when he's reneging his responsibilities -- he's just reflecting it poorly. The woman is still the glory of man when she's tongue-lashing his position --- she's just reflecting it poorly.
Saturday, February 9, 2019
day no. 14,719: you need to wash your face like you need a hole in your head
1 Corinthians 11:6
For if a wife will not cover her head, then she should cut her hair short.
Forget, "Girl, wash your face."
Enter, "Girl, cover your head."
For if a wife will not cover her head, then she should cut her hair short.
Forget, "Girl, wash your face."
Enter, "Girl, cover your head."
Friday, February 8, 2019
day no. 14,718: tradition!!! ... tradition!
1 Corinthians 11:2
Now I commend you because you remember me in everything and maintain the traditions even as I delivered them to you. 3 But I want you to understand...
The trajectory has been well documented. The first generation believes, the next assumes and the last abandons. The first receives it all, the second receives the form without the substance and the third rejects the whole she-bang!
Paul was very happy to hear that the Corinthians had embraced the traditions he delivered to them, but he wanted to make sure they understood the "why?" behind the "what?"
You have to know what to do, but you must know why you do what you do. We must know what we believe and why we believe it and pass down to our children what we do and why we do it if we want to avoid watching our grandchildren abandon the fort altogether.
Now I commend you because you remember me in everything and maintain the traditions even as I delivered them to you. 3 But I want you to understand...
The trajectory has been well documented. The first generation believes, the next assumes and the last abandons. The first receives it all, the second receives the form without the substance and the third rejects the whole she-bang!
Paul was very happy to hear that the Corinthians had embraced the traditions he delivered to them, but he wanted to make sure they understood the "why?" behind the "what?"
You have to know what to do, but you must know why you do what you do. We must know what we believe and why we believe it and pass down to our children what we do and why we do it if we want to avoid watching our grandchildren abandon the fort altogether.
Thursday, February 7, 2019
day no. 14,717: brevity is the soul of wit
"Wit is a fighting thing and a working thing. A man may enjoy humor all by himself; he may see a joke when no one else sees it; he may see the point and avoid it. But wit is a sword; it is meant to make people feel the point as well as see it." - G.K. Chesterton
It requires a good deal of work to wield wit. A dull sword can still leave a mark, but a sharp one cuts to the heart of the matter.
"All good things come to a point, swords for instance" - G.K. Chesterton
It requires a good deal of work to wield wit. A dull sword can still leave a mark, but a sharp one cuts to the heart of the matter.
"All good things come to a point, swords for instance" - G.K. Chesterton
Wednesday, February 6, 2019
day no. 14,716: momentary man
I read the following paragraph on Doug Wilson's blog the other day:
So yours is not a modern education—you are being educated in a tradition, the confessional Reformed tradition. We know that we cannot prepare ourselves for learning in the future by forgetting the past. In the memorable words of Andrew Lytle, although contemporary man preens himself on being a modern man, he is really a momentary man. All these mayflies are nothing if not up-to-date. But their lifespan is also just one day, and so perhaps we should not care how modern they are. Tomorrow we will have to deal with the postmodern mayflies.
Being modern sounds nice for a moment, but a moment later you find yourself outdated.
So yours is not a modern education—you are being educated in a tradition, the confessional Reformed tradition. We know that we cannot prepare ourselves for learning in the future by forgetting the past. In the memorable words of Andrew Lytle, although contemporary man preens himself on being a modern man, he is really a momentary man. All these mayflies are nothing if not up-to-date. But their lifespan is also just one day, and so perhaps we should not care how modern they are. Tomorrow we will have to deal with the postmodern mayflies.
Being modern sounds nice for a moment, but a moment later you find yourself outdated.
Tuesday, February 5, 2019
day no. 14,715: not as funny for the forty-two
2 Kings 2:23-24
He went up from there to Bethel, and while he was going up on the way, some small boys came out of the city and jeered at him, saying, “Go up, you baldhead! Go up, you baldhead!” 24 And he turned around, and when he saw them, he cursed them in the name of the LORD. And two she-bears came out of the woods and tore forty-two of the boys.
Elisha didn't need thicker skin, he needed thicker hair.
Elisha may have been a little thin-skinned, but he was a lot thin-haired.
JOKES!
He went up from there to Bethel, and while he was going up on the way, some small boys came out of the city and jeered at him, saying, “Go up, you baldhead! Go up, you baldhead!” 24 And he turned around, and when he saw them, he cursed them in the name of the LORD. And two she-bears came out of the woods and tore forty-two of the boys.
Elisha didn't need thicker skin, he needed thicker hair.
Elisha may have been a little thin-skinned, but he was a lot thin-haired.
JOKES!
Monday, February 4, 2019
day no. 14,714: soft complements
Deuteronomy 22:5
A woman shall not wear a man’s garment, nor shall a man put on a woman’s cloak, for whoever does these things is an abomination to the LORD your God.
What many call a complementarian position amounts to egalitarianism with a fake mustache. It's close, but not quite. It has the appearance of holding the line, but underneath and in practice it is more akin to a blur than to anything solid.
It boasts in saying that it believes that you must have a beard in order to be an elder or preacher, but then adds an asterisk with a note in the margins indicating that some choose to grow their beards on top of their heads.
A woman shall not wear a man’s garment, nor shall a man put on a woman’s cloak, for whoever does these things is an abomination to the LORD your God.
What many call a complementarian position amounts to egalitarianism with a fake mustache. It's close, but not quite. It has the appearance of holding the line, but underneath and in practice it is more akin to a blur than to anything solid.
It boasts in saying that it believes that you must have a beard in order to be an elder or preacher, but then adds an asterisk with a note in the margins indicating that some choose to grow their beards on top of their heads.
Sunday, February 3, 2019
day no. 14,713: preaching produces janky, beautiful feet
ROMANS 10:9-15
If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. 11 For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.”12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. 13 For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
14 How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? 15 And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!”
If you had two pairs of feet in front of you: one smooth, without scars or blemish, perfectly manicured nails, no callouses, no warts or corns or cracks, etc... AND then you had another pair of feet with dirt and blood and scratches and chips out of the discolored nails... you would say the FIRST is more beautiful.
But the feet that travel to preach good news probably look more like the second. After all, feet that move, inevitably get worn. And feet that go off the path to find the lost get more worn, more quickly. And whatever is broken or messed up, we usually call, "ugly"
But God calls those kind of feet, "beautiful." Some would say its a waste of beautiful feet. They'd say someone went and ruined a perfectly good pair of feet. But God says that feet are made beautiful by using them for their intended purpose. The fresh out of the box look takes a lot of work, but it's the wrong kind of work. It's a kind of work aimed at keeping the feet beautiful to the exclusion of most other work. After all, feet require a lot of maintenance if they are to say looking beautiful.
If the chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever, which it is, then the feet that show signs of wear and tear show the signs of cheerful service and achieving the end for which they were created. And that is a beautiful thing. Preaching the Good News produces janky feet. You cannot remain pristine if you intend to obey. Following Jesus means getting your feet dirty, but Jesus has a way of looking to one's feet.
If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. 11 For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.”12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. 13 For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
14 How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? 15 And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!”
If you had two pairs of feet in front of you: one smooth, without scars or blemish, perfectly manicured nails, no callouses, no warts or corns or cracks, etc... AND then you had another pair of feet with dirt and blood and scratches and chips out of the discolored nails... you would say the FIRST is more beautiful.
But the feet that travel to preach good news probably look more like the second. After all, feet that move, inevitably get worn. And feet that go off the path to find the lost get more worn, more quickly. And whatever is broken or messed up, we usually call, "ugly"
But God calls those kind of feet, "beautiful." Some would say its a waste of beautiful feet. They'd say someone went and ruined a perfectly good pair of feet. But God says that feet are made beautiful by using them for their intended purpose. The fresh out of the box look takes a lot of work, but it's the wrong kind of work. It's a kind of work aimed at keeping the feet beautiful to the exclusion of most other work. After all, feet require a lot of maintenance if they are to say looking beautiful.
If the chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever, which it is, then the feet that show signs of wear and tear show the signs of cheerful service and achieving the end for which they were created. And that is a beautiful thing. Preaching the Good News produces janky feet. You cannot remain pristine if you intend to obey. Following Jesus means getting your feet dirty, but Jesus has a way of looking to one's feet.
Saturday, February 2, 2019
day no. 14,712: "cannot" is not code
John 14:16-17
And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, 17 even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him. You know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.
The world cannot receive the Holy Spirit. "Cannot" is not code for "can under the right circumstances." It means what it sounds like: can't! The reason it cannot receive Him is because they do not see Him or know Him. You can receive the flu virus without seeing it or knowing it, but you cannot receive the Holy Spirit THAT way. When it comes to God, you must know Him before you have Him.
John 14:22-24
Judas (not Iscariot) said to him, “Lord, how is it that you will manifest yourself to us, and not to the world?” 23 Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and We will come to him and make our home with him. 24 Whoever does not love Me does not keep My words. And the word that you hear is not Mine but the Father's who sent Me.
The way you can tell who sees and knows God is by looking at how someone responds to God's Word. Do they like it? Do they love it? Do they repent where they fall short? Do they hit the accelerator where they are on point? You cannot obey what you don't know and you will not obey what you do not love.
KNOW --> LOVE --> OBEY
And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, 17 even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him. You know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.
The world cannot receive the Holy Spirit. "Cannot" is not code for "can under the right circumstances." It means what it sounds like: can't! The reason it cannot receive Him is because they do not see Him or know Him. You can receive the flu virus without seeing it or knowing it, but you cannot receive the Holy Spirit THAT way. When it comes to God, you must know Him before you have Him.
John 14:22-24
Judas (not Iscariot) said to him, “Lord, how is it that you will manifest yourself to us, and not to the world?” 23 Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and We will come to him and make our home with him. 24 Whoever does not love Me does not keep My words. And the word that you hear is not Mine but the Father's who sent Me.
The way you can tell who sees and knows God is by looking at how someone responds to God's Word. Do they like it? Do they love it? Do they repent where they fall short? Do they hit the accelerator where they are on point? You cannot obey what you don't know and you will not obey what you do not love.
KNOW --> LOVE --> OBEY
Friday, February 1, 2019
day no. 14,711: sour dough
John 13:26-27
Jesus answered, “It is he to whom I will give this morsel of bread when I have dipped it.” So when he had dipped the morsel, he gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. 27 Then after he had taken the morsel, Satan entered into him. Jesus said to him, “What you are going to do, do quickly.”
The one who was going to betray Jesus was already betraying Him. He had plans already in place, but partook of the bread of communion anyways. Taking the morsel of bread with a calloused heart made way for Satan to enter him freely. Consuming the symbol of sacrifice while harboring a heart of selfishness is like putting out an open house sign for the devil.
John 13:30
So, after receiving the morsel of bread, he immediately went out. And it was night.
Judas didn't just handle the morsel, he received it, consumed it and immediately bolted. It was night outside in Jerusalem and inside Judas' heart. Darkness prevailed upon the land and this particular man.
1 Corinthians 11:23-30
For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 25 In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.
27 Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord. 28 Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 29 For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself. 30 That is why many of you are weak and ill, and some have died.
We can in similar fashion consume communion in an unworthy manner. If we participate in the symbol of salvation with a heart hungry for transgression, we eat and drink judgment upon ourselves. If we have no intention of uniting ourselves to Jesus, the symbol of that union proves to be dangerous rather than nutritious. It is not the table that needs to be protected from us, but us from the table if we have no intention of honoring the Founder of the feast.
Jesus answered, “It is he to whom I will give this morsel of bread when I have dipped it.” So when he had dipped the morsel, he gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. 27 Then after he had taken the morsel, Satan entered into him. Jesus said to him, “What you are going to do, do quickly.”
The one who was going to betray Jesus was already betraying Him. He had plans already in place, but partook of the bread of communion anyways. Taking the morsel of bread with a calloused heart made way for Satan to enter him freely. Consuming the symbol of sacrifice while harboring a heart of selfishness is like putting out an open house sign for the devil.
John 13:30
So, after receiving the morsel of bread, he immediately went out. And it was night.
Judas didn't just handle the morsel, he received it, consumed it and immediately bolted. It was night outside in Jerusalem and inside Judas' heart. Darkness prevailed upon the land and this particular man.
1 Corinthians 11:23-30
For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 25 In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.
27 Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord. 28 Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 29 For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself. 30 That is why many of you are weak and ill, and some have died.
We can in similar fashion consume communion in an unworthy manner. If we participate in the symbol of salvation with a heart hungry for transgression, we eat and drink judgment upon ourselves. If we have no intention of uniting ourselves to Jesus, the symbol of that union proves to be dangerous rather than nutritious. It is not the table that needs to be protected from us, but us from the table if we have no intention of honoring the Founder of the feast.
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