Be a Devoted Follower, Not a Blind Follower

July 2, 2010

Eddie Commitment, Genuine Christianity, God is Sovereign, Guidance, Happiness, Joy, Purpose Leave a comment

You, however, have followed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness, (2 Timothy 3:10 ESV)

In contrast to the imatators, Jannes and Jambres of verse 8, Paul commends Timothy as a devoted follower (not a blind follower) of Paul’s teaching, aim in life, faith, patience, love, steadfastness, persecutions and suffereings.  So this gives me pause to think, if I were Paul and people were going to follow me, what areas may I be interested in them paying attention to:

  • What I taught.  If people are going to follow my teachings, those teachings better be, in turn, following God’ Word.
  • My conduct. My behavior.  The public display of what I really believe, since the way I act is based on my beliefs and values.
  • My aim in life.  I think, there is something a person may hear me speak about in my teachings, but it is fleshed out in my daily conduct as is the balance of the list.  The word here means a setting forth, thus a target, plan or purpose. How many have given thought as to “what is my aim in life?”  I ask you dear reader, what is your target in life?  Your aim?  What are you shooting for?  Are you just getting up and going through the course of the day making a living, providing for your family, coming home, going to bed and getting up the next day only to begin again?  Is that your attitude?  Maybe the weekend is your goal!  The next vacation!

Remember, God has purpose for you as long as he leaves you here on this planet.  He has equipped you with the full potential to be what he has designed you to be.  Take Him by the hand today and let Him guide you, with your talents into the area(s) He has in mind.  Reach your full potential for your Lord!

Lord, I pray that my life would be planned according to what you have mapped out for me.  You have wired me and chosen me to accomplish your will in my life here on Earth.  Father, given that fact, my greatest happiness in this life will be when I am doing and living what you have in mind.  Conform my will to your plan!  For Jesus’ sake, Amen.

“Behold Your God!”

July 1, 2010

Eddie Encouragement, God is Sovereign, God's Power, Hope, Perspective, Protection, Rescue Leave a comment

Get you up to a high mountain, O Zion, herald of good news; lift up your voice with strength, O Jerusalem, herald of good news; lift it up, fear not; say to the cities of Judah, “Behold your God!” Behold, the Lord God comes with might, and his arm rules for him; behold, his reward is with him, and his recompense before him. He will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young. (Isa. 40:9-11, ESV)

God’s creation is steeped with the declaration of His existence and His greatness.  In God’s special revelation to us in His Word, we read in our passage today about Isaiah’s admonition to the inhabitants of Jerusalem  go to a high mountain and proclaim “Behold your God!”

In our language we never employ this term to get someone’s attention.  We exclaim:  “Here! There!  Look! Now!  The cry goes out “Look!  Your God!!”  Isaiah says to look to God and then he supplies the reasons we should:

  • He comes with might
  • His arm rules for him
  • His reward is with him
  • His recompense (pay off) is before him.
  • He will be a shepherd to his flock
  • He will gather them in his arms and carry them next to his heart
  • He will gently lead those that are with young (tender!)

When troubles come.  When you get blind-sided (“I didn’t see that coming!”). Friend, “Behold your God!”

God Desires to Share Himself with Us

June 16, 2010

Eddie God as Creator, God is Sovereign, God's Power, Revelation Leave a comment

Psalm 19 – 1 The heavens declare the glory of God,
and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.
2 Day to day pours out speech,
and night to night reveals knowledge.
3 There is no speech, nor are there words,
whose voice is not heard.
4 Their voice goes out through all the earth,
and their words to the end of the world.
In them he has set a tent for the sun,
5 which comes out like a bridegroom leaving his chamber,
and, like a strong man, runs its course with joy.
6 Its rising is from the end of the heavens,
and its circuit to the end of them,
and there is nothing hidden from its heat.

The God of the universe has gone to great lengths to manifest Himself
to us, His creation.  You could categorize this effort in three areas:  (1)
general (2) specific and (3) His Son, Jesus Christ.

Psalm 19 presents God’s general and specific revelation.  Let’s consider
His disclosure of Himself in a general way.  Read again verses 1-6.
As I am writing this I am sitting on the “quiet side” of the Smokey
Mountians. Often we are caught up with the sights and beauty of nature.
I’ve seen it, too, today:  clouds adorning the mountains, the sheer greenery
of the landscape.

Verse 3 says “Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals
knowledge.”  I am hearing in the sounds made by birds, insects, dripping
water from rains the day before that someone with greater knowledge than
I or anyone could possess put all of this here.  Nature is shouting
with its variety of sounds:  “There is a God.”

I see, hear, feel and smell the fact that this God of glory has desired
to let me in on the fact that He is and that He is powerful, creative,
wise and all-knowing.  Let us remove the blinders and earplugs.  The
Sovereign God of this universe wants our attention.

“Change!” – Not God!

March 19, 2009

Eddie God as Creator, God is Sovereign, Perspective Leave a comment

 

Long ago you laid the foundation of the earth
and made the heavens with your hands.
They will perish, but you remain forever;
they will wear out like old clothing.
You will change them like a garment
and discard them.
But you are always the same;
you will live forever.    Ps 102:25-27seasons3
In less than 24 hours from the time I am writing this, spring arrives.  It can be calculated years in advance.  Recall it is determined by the tilt of the earth.  The point is that God set it in motion.  Time was created that first week (day four).  So our years, seasons, months, weeks, days, hours, minutes and seconds are determined by either the earth’s rotation on its axis or revolution around the sun. 
Now this isn’t intented to be a science lesson, rather a reflection — on what the Psalmist reminds us:  God, who put all this into motion will disassemble it one day.  It will wear out and perish.  But, the One who set it into motion never changes.  It’s call immutable.
“Change” has been talked about in the news a lot over the last 12 months.  I rejoice because the One I read about in His Word will “remain forever,” is “always the same,”  and “will live forever!”
The elements that make up life may change – eventually will end, but You, Lord, remain forever!  Amen!!

Praise Overflowing – Psalm 96

March 16, 2009

Eddie God is Sovereign, Praise & Thankfulness, Worship Leave a comment

This truly is an awesome Psalm of Praise.  In the previous post, I explained the difference in praise and thanksgiving, although sometimes the use of the words are interchangable at times.

After reading the Psalm (included below), I reflect on the action words associated with praise in this Psalm:  “sing, proclaim, publish, tell, recognize, give glory, bring offerings, worship.”  I notice how nature offers praise, while wondering if this is really just simple anthropomorphic language.  Could nature really offer praise to the Sovereign Lord? fields-clap-their-hands

==> heavens (stars, planets, moon, sky) be glad; earth rejoice; sea and everything in it shout; trees and forests rustle (could it be applause to the Lord that I hear? [Isa. 55:12:    12 You will live in joy and peace. The mountains and hills will burst into song, and the trees of the field will clap their hands!] )

Consider the descriptors of the Lord: 

He saves
His glorious deeds
The amazing things He does
He made the heavens
Honor and magesty surround Him
Strength and beauthy fill His presence (sanctuary)
He is glorious and strong
His holy splendor
The Lord reigns
He will judge with justice and truth.

I come to this conclusion and prayer:  Lord, I fall woefully short in my praise to You, my Savior, Lord and God. 

PSALM 96

    1 Sing a new song to the Lord!
      Let the whole earth sing to the Lord!
    2 Sing to the Lord; praise his name.
      Each day proclaim the good news that he saves.
    3 Publish his glorious deeds among the nations.
      Tell everyone about the amazing things he does.
    4 Great is the Lord! He is most worthy of praise!
      He is to be feared above all gods.
    5 The gods of other nations are mere idols,
      but the Lord made the heavens!
    6 Honor and majesty surround him;
      strength and beauty fill his sanctuary.

    7 O nations of the world, recognize the Lord;
      recognize that the Lord is glorious and strong.
    8 Give to the Lord the glory he deserves!
      Bring your offering and come into his courts.
    9 Worship the Lord in all his holy splendor.
      Let all the earth tremble before him.
   10 Tell all the nations, “The Lord reigns!”
      The world stands firm and cannot be shaken.
      He will judge all peoples fairly.

   11 Let the heavens be glad, and the earth rejoice!
      Let the sea and everything in it shout his praise!
   12 Let the fields and their crops burst out with joy!
      Let the trees of the forest rustle with praise
   13 before the Lord, for he is coming!
      He is coming to judge the earth.
      He will judge the world with justice,
      and the nations with his truth.

Sovereign Reflections

January 26, 2009

Eddie Comfort, God is Sovereign Leave a comment

 The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.
      The world and all its people belong to him. (Psalm 24:1)

illumination-of-humanityI should be able to find comfort in this passage because it is a statement of the Sovereignty of God.

The earth is the Lord’s – He owns it.  Everything in it is His.  Its resources He supplied!

The last sentence seems more personal as it switches to talk of humanity.  He has made us for Himself to love Him of our own free will.  Most don’t.  But all belongs to Him because He is the Author and Giver of life – Creator.

In difficult times, global turmoil, all belongs to Him to do as He will.  He is a God who wants the best for His children. 

I trust you Lord!  You are Sovereign over all people and things!

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