How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to your word -- Psalm 119:9
In May 2009, Amanda Bonnen wrote what she thought was an innocently sarcastic note criticizing Horizon Realty, the owner of her apartment building. The short message posted to her Twitter account (a popular Internet chat service) was read by a handful of people, twenty at the most. That number shot skyward when the parent company, Horizon Group Management, sued her for libel and defamation. The lawsuit drew international attention and a fierce public backlash against the company, criticism that far exceeded the original damage of Bonnen's near-silent complaint.
This is often how sin succeeds in destroying lives. It usually begins small and seemingly insignificant. Then as time goes on, it grows within us and become a force too big and strong to recon with. By then, we are in bondage.
God is always for our purity. And purity begins in our minds with our thoughts. Notice that the psalmist zeros in on the “young person.” Now this can be taken in two ways: First, young in physical age. Second, young in spiritual age. I prefer the second myself. It will do no young person any good if he or she does not know Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Such a young person cannot use the Word to keep themselves pure when they are still in their sins.
It seems to me that “young” here is anyone who has recently said “yes” to Jesus and believes in Him. How does such a person keep him or herself pure as they embark on their walk with God? By depending on the Word and obeying it completely.
Paul in Ephesians 5:26 compares the Word to water that cleanses. Therefore, one of the best ways to cleanse your heart and soul from the defilement of sin and from the pollution of the world is to have it washed daily and frequently with the Word. This means we got to read it, study it, memorize it, and yes, take the time to meditate on it and pray back bible verses to God.
From my devotions, I take one or two verses (or more) depending on the passage, and throughout the day I pray it back to God.
Here is how I do it. I pray for four things as I pray a verse or two back to God.
Example: For the lips of the adulterous woman drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil; but in the end she is bitter as gall, sharp as a double-edged sword – Prov. 5:3-4
This passage basically is teaching that temptation comes to us initially as something sweet and smooth, but its real essence is bitter and painful. This is what we find out after we have yielded to the temptation and have eaten of the forbidden fruit.
So, during the day, as I meditate on this passage, I pray it back to God in four ways:
1. Regarding myself: “Lord, your word teaches how temptation will come to me as something good for me, but it is not. Please give to me the discernment and power from the Holy Spirit to know when I am being tempted and to say “No.”
2. Regarding my kids: “Lord Jesus, my kids are at that age where they do not have experience to help guide them. They, like everyone else need the wisdom of God. Please help them to know your word so as to walk away from any temptation that comes to them packaged in a nice wrapped box. Don’t let them open it. Help them to know what is from God and what is not from God.”
3. Regarding my church: “Father, NHWO is made up of a variety of Christians who face temptations daily. The devil is sneaky and he would want to wreck this church by destroying the lives of its people. Grant each person (I may get specific here and name names in my prayer. People I know who are struggling with sin and temptation) the wisdom and discernment needed to know not to take temptation at face value but to remember what is underneath the surface at its core – bitter as gall and sharp as a two-edged sword. Please don’t let Satan take any of our saints away through his lies packaged through temptations. Cause each of our people to put on the full armor of God so that each one may fight and win against the schemes of the devil.”
4. Regarding my World (the community I serve – Waianae):
“Dear God, so many lives are lost and in bondage because they thought something was sweet and good for them, only to find out later that it was a huge mistake. Bring these people into our world and across our path so we can introduce them to the only person who can deliver from their bondages – your Son Jesus Christ. Help us to see every new person who comes into our church or across our path as a mission field, an opportunity to share the love of God with.”
So you see how I pray the passage back to God but in specific ways concerning specific people – myself, family, church, community? After I have done this throughout the day – mornings for myself, then later, mid-morning or early afternoon for my kids, then later for my church and then for my community – I not only know Proverbs 5:3-4 more intimately, but I have applied its message to my life via prayer.
I do this everyday with a passage that God shows me from His Word through my devotions. This way also I can pray for the four people (groups) – Self, family, church and community, in a variety of ways and topics and touch on many areas.
Now watch this: I know God will hear me, why? Because I am praying according to His will (1 John 5:14) when I pray back the scriptures to Him. God’s Word is His will, so I cannot lose when I use the Word as my basis for prayer.
Anyway, this is just one example of how you can use the Word to keep your way pure and to help you to both meditate on it better and to impact your own prayer life through the process.
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Thursday, June 3, 2010
The God We Image - Psalm 119:7
I will praise you with an upright heart as I learn your righteous laws – Psalm 119:7 NIV
Brennan Manning said, "It is always true to some extent that we make our images of God. It is even truer that our image of God makes us. Eventually we become like the God we image."
The God we image is the God we praise. Our reflection of God is necessary especially if we are going to praise Him and thus ultimately become like Him in character and in heart.
Meaningful praise is only as good as the condition of the heart. This is why the writer says that “I will praise you with an upright heart.” The word “upright” means “straight.” It has of course moral implications. A straight heart is preferred over a crooked one. A straight heart looks upward rather than in all sorts of other directions. The quality of our worship will largely depend on the spiritual straightness of our hearts. If our hearts are right before God our worship will be accepted.
Interestingly, the Hebrew word for “praise” is yadah, and it can also mean, “to give thanks.” Some translations (NASB and the NET Bible) actually prefer to use “thanks” in place of “praise.” The idea is that deep within the visible act of praise is a heart of thankfulness. A thankful heart will produce lips of praise.
But how does one acquire a thankful heart? The Psalmist adds, “as I learn your righteous laws.” All of God’s laws are righteous. They reflect God’s heart and integrity. As a result, if we are going to be like God in character and righteousness, then we must understand His laws. His laws reflect His thoughts and of course His expectations for each of us.
The Hebrew word for “learn” (lamad) has a threefold meaning:
1. To learn – Acquire knowledge and understanding.
2. To Teach – Impart understanding to others
3. To Exercise – Live out what one learns.
Thus, to learn God’s laws is to know and understand them, teach them to others, and to live out the laws ourselves. You want to know and understand the will of God? Learn and understand His laws. You want to help others to know God’s will? Teach God’s laws to them. You want to be in the will of God? Live out God’s laws. When we do, we will have a biblical image of God and become like the God we image.
Brennan Manning said, "It is always true to some extent that we make our images of God. It is even truer that our image of God makes us. Eventually we become like the God we image."
The God we image is the God we praise. Our reflection of God is necessary especially if we are going to praise Him and thus ultimately become like Him in character and in heart.
Meaningful praise is only as good as the condition of the heart. This is why the writer says that “I will praise you with an upright heart.” The word “upright” means “straight.” It has of course moral implications. A straight heart is preferred over a crooked one. A straight heart looks upward rather than in all sorts of other directions. The quality of our worship will largely depend on the spiritual straightness of our hearts. If our hearts are right before God our worship will be accepted.
Interestingly, the Hebrew word for “praise” is yadah, and it can also mean, “to give thanks.” Some translations (NASB and the NET Bible) actually prefer to use “thanks” in place of “praise.” The idea is that deep within the visible act of praise is a heart of thankfulness. A thankful heart will produce lips of praise.
But how does one acquire a thankful heart? The Psalmist adds, “as I learn your righteous laws.” All of God’s laws are righteous. They reflect God’s heart and integrity. As a result, if we are going to be like God in character and righteousness, then we must understand His laws. His laws reflect His thoughts and of course His expectations for each of us.
The Hebrew word for “learn” (lamad) has a threefold meaning:
1. To learn – Acquire knowledge and understanding.
2. To Teach – Impart understanding to others
3. To Exercise – Live out what one learns.
Thus, to learn God’s laws is to know and understand them, teach them to others, and to live out the laws ourselves. You want to know and understand the will of God? Learn and understand His laws. You want to help others to know God’s will? Teach God’s laws to them. You want to be in the will of God? Live out God’s laws. When we do, we will have a biblical image of God and become like the God we image.
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Doctrine: The Gateway to Know God
Who and what are you living for?
There’s an old story about St Augustine. Early on in his Christian life, he was intensely absorbed in the writings of Cicero. And around this time, he had a dream that he had died. And now he was standing at the pearly gates. And the keeper of the gate said, "Who are you?" And he said, "I’m Augustine." Then the keeper said, "What are you?" Augustine said, "I’m a Christian." The gatekeeper said, "No, you’re not a Christian. You’re a Ciceronian!"
Augustine said, "What are you talking about? I’m a Christian!" And the gatekeeper said this: "All souls on earth are judged by what dominated their interests. In you, Augustine, it was not the Christ of the gospel. It was the Cicero of Roman literature. You are not a Christian. You cannot enter here!"
Augustine was so startled that when he woke up, he resolved then and there to be fully committed to Jesus Christ for the rest of his life. And to live for Him.
We can study all kinds of things out in the world, and at times we need to because it may relate to our job or the major we signed up for in terms of schooling. But no matter how much other things we come to learn about in this world, none of it should ever replace the learning of the Scriptures which by designed enables us to come to know God more fully.
In the same way that Christians can be spiritually alive and healthy by their intake of the Word, so it is with churches. Here is how Paul put it when he wrote to Titus in chapter 2:
1You must teach what is in accord with sound doctrine. 2Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance.
3Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. 4Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, 5to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.
6Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled. 7In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness 8and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.
9Teach slaves to be subject to their masters in everything, to try to please them, not to talk back to them, 10and not to steal from them, but to show that they can be fully trusted, so that in every way they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive.
Now a good and fundamental reason why we need to be absorbed in the study of Scriptures is this: “What feeds our minds is also what fuels our lives.” Don’t forget this. Holy and righteous living cannot be divorced from the knowledge and understanding of God’s Word. Or to put it another way: Sound doctrine enables Christians to live healthy lives.
Now look carefully how Paul develops this in the first ten verses of Titus 2.
Verse 1: Speak things fitting for sound doctrine
Verse 2: Older men are to do things which come from being sound in faith.
Verse 3: In addition to living rightly, older women are to be teaching younger women what is good (cf. v. 4), and to live their lives in a way that will not bring dishonor to the Word of God (v. 5).
Verses 6-7: So it is with the younger men. Their holy living comes from having purity in doctrine.
Verses 9-10: All others (bondslaves) are to live their lives in such as way as to adorn the doctrine of God and Jesus in every respect.
Again notice, how Paul repeatedly emphasized this one principle: Sound living comes forth from sound doctrine. What you believe will impact the way you live your life.
So many Christians want to jettison theology or doctrine because they see it as either boring and too deep to comprehend (thus more heady than hearty), or they see doctrine as controversial. All they want to learn is the practical stuff. “Just give me the application,” they shout. Therefore, they read their bibles only looking for the application.
But if there is one thing the bible makes abundantly clear is that sound application comes out of sound doctrine. If we are going to apply something practical to our lives, we must understand where it came from and why. Otherwise, all you will be doing when you merely apply application to your life without understanding the doctrine that gave birth to it, you will merely be reforming your life from the outside, rather letting God transform your life from the inside.
You see, the application ought to take us to the doctrine that gave rise to it, so we can understand the reason for the command or principle and to also get to know God more fully. When God reveals something to us, He does so with the intention that we will also see and understand that what He has revealed is also a revelation of Himself. God wants us to come to know Him deeper and more personal.
Therefore, don’t merely read your bibles looking for applications to apply to your lives. Don’t preach messages merely giving to your listeners applications for their lives. Learn doctrine. When you do, you will come to also see a revelation of God contained in the doctrine and it will also help you then to understand WHY you are meant to apply something to your life.
Paul did this so many times when he wrote his letters. For example, in the Book of Romans, he wrote chapters 1-11 on doctrine, then chapters 12-16 on practical living. In Ephesians, he wrote chapters 1-3 on doctrine, then chapters 4-6 on practical living. In Philippians, he wrote chapters 1-3 on the preaching of Christ (ch. 1), the humility of Christ (ch. 2), the knowledge of Christ (ch. 3), and then in chapter four the last chapter in his letter, he wrote about practical Christian living that shows the presence of Christ in our lives. Paul does the same when he wrote his letter to the Colossians. In chapters 1-3, Paul discusses the character of Christ (ch. 1); how He is exalted over philosophies (ch. 2), how He has given to us an exalted calling (ch. 3), then finally in chapter 4, Paul gets practical.
Remember what Peter said? “Be holy for God is holy” (1 Pet. 1:16). Holiness is the practical application to our lives, but the doctrine of where it came from is found in the holiness of God. Why are we to be holy? Because God is holy and He expects His people to be the same since they share also in His divine nature (2 Pet. 1:4).
So then, like Augustine, you claim to be a Christian? Very good. Can such a claim be backed up by the time and effort you spend in the study of spiritual matters that are contained in God’s Word? Do you merely read your bible devotionally in order to check off another day? Do you really get into it? Do you really read beyond what the bible bookmark tells you? You claim to be a Christian, well that’s good! But how much of doctrine are you filling your heart and mind with? Who or what are you trying to get to know? If it is God, then your saturation of the Scriptures will be no problem for you to do on a regular basis.
There’s an old story about St Augustine. Early on in his Christian life, he was intensely absorbed in the writings of Cicero. And around this time, he had a dream that he had died. And now he was standing at the pearly gates. And the keeper of the gate said, "Who are you?" And he said, "I’m Augustine." Then the keeper said, "What are you?" Augustine said, "I’m a Christian." The gatekeeper said, "No, you’re not a Christian. You’re a Ciceronian!"
Augustine said, "What are you talking about? I’m a Christian!" And the gatekeeper said this: "All souls on earth are judged by what dominated their interests. In you, Augustine, it was not the Christ of the gospel. It was the Cicero of Roman literature. You are not a Christian. You cannot enter here!"
Augustine was so startled that when he woke up, he resolved then and there to be fully committed to Jesus Christ for the rest of his life. And to live for Him.
We can study all kinds of things out in the world, and at times we need to because it may relate to our job or the major we signed up for in terms of schooling. But no matter how much other things we come to learn about in this world, none of it should ever replace the learning of the Scriptures which by designed enables us to come to know God more fully.
In the same way that Christians can be spiritually alive and healthy by their intake of the Word, so it is with churches. Here is how Paul put it when he wrote to Titus in chapter 2:
1You must teach what is in accord with sound doctrine. 2Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance.
3Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. 4Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, 5to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.
6Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled. 7In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness 8and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.
9Teach slaves to be subject to their masters in everything, to try to please them, not to talk back to them, 10and not to steal from them, but to show that they can be fully trusted, so that in every way they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive.
Now a good and fundamental reason why we need to be absorbed in the study of Scriptures is this: “What feeds our minds is also what fuels our lives.” Don’t forget this. Holy and righteous living cannot be divorced from the knowledge and understanding of God’s Word. Or to put it another way: Sound doctrine enables Christians to live healthy lives.
Now look carefully how Paul develops this in the first ten verses of Titus 2.
Verse 1: Speak things fitting for sound doctrine
Verse 2: Older men are to do things which come from being sound in faith.
Verse 3: In addition to living rightly, older women are to be teaching younger women what is good (cf. v. 4), and to live their lives in a way that will not bring dishonor to the Word of God (v. 5).
Verses 6-7: So it is with the younger men. Their holy living comes from having purity in doctrine.
Verses 9-10: All others (bondslaves) are to live their lives in such as way as to adorn the doctrine of God and Jesus in every respect.
Again notice, how Paul repeatedly emphasized this one principle: Sound living comes forth from sound doctrine. What you believe will impact the way you live your life.
So many Christians want to jettison theology or doctrine because they see it as either boring and too deep to comprehend (thus more heady than hearty), or they see doctrine as controversial. All they want to learn is the practical stuff. “Just give me the application,” they shout. Therefore, they read their bibles only looking for the application.
But if there is one thing the bible makes abundantly clear is that sound application comes out of sound doctrine. If we are going to apply something practical to our lives, we must understand where it came from and why. Otherwise, all you will be doing when you merely apply application to your life without understanding the doctrine that gave birth to it, you will merely be reforming your life from the outside, rather letting God transform your life from the inside.
You see, the application ought to take us to the doctrine that gave rise to it, so we can understand the reason for the command or principle and to also get to know God more fully. When God reveals something to us, He does so with the intention that we will also see and understand that what He has revealed is also a revelation of Himself. God wants us to come to know Him deeper and more personal.
Therefore, don’t merely read your bibles looking for applications to apply to your lives. Don’t preach messages merely giving to your listeners applications for their lives. Learn doctrine. When you do, you will come to also see a revelation of God contained in the doctrine and it will also help you then to understand WHY you are meant to apply something to your life.
Paul did this so many times when he wrote his letters. For example, in the Book of Romans, he wrote chapters 1-11 on doctrine, then chapters 12-16 on practical living. In Ephesians, he wrote chapters 1-3 on doctrine, then chapters 4-6 on practical living. In Philippians, he wrote chapters 1-3 on the preaching of Christ (ch. 1), the humility of Christ (ch. 2), the knowledge of Christ (ch. 3), and then in chapter four the last chapter in his letter, he wrote about practical Christian living that shows the presence of Christ in our lives. Paul does the same when he wrote his letter to the Colossians. In chapters 1-3, Paul discusses the character of Christ (ch. 1); how He is exalted over philosophies (ch. 2), how He has given to us an exalted calling (ch. 3), then finally in chapter 4, Paul gets practical.
Remember what Peter said? “Be holy for God is holy” (1 Pet. 1:16). Holiness is the practical application to our lives, but the doctrine of where it came from is found in the holiness of God. Why are we to be holy? Because God is holy and He expects His people to be the same since they share also in His divine nature (2 Pet. 1:4).
So then, like Augustine, you claim to be a Christian? Very good. Can such a claim be backed up by the time and effort you spend in the study of spiritual matters that are contained in God’s Word? Do you merely read your bible devotionally in order to check off another day? Do you really get into it? Do you really read beyond what the bible bookmark tells you? You claim to be a Christian, well that’s good! But how much of doctrine are you filling your heart and mind with? Who or what are you trying to get to know? If it is God, then your saturation of the Scriptures will be no problem for you to do on a regular basis.
Friday, February 5, 2010
Tight With God - Psalm 119:8
I will obey your decrees; do not utterly forsake me – Psalm 119:8
Is it possible for God to forsake a person? Yes it is. This is the reason for the cry of the writer in this Psalm – “do not utterly forsake me.”
But why would God do such a thing? Our rebellion, our sin, our defiant heart – that’s why.
Once a person sees just how important the Word of God is for his or her life, a decision like oath is made – “I will obey.” This is where we all need to arrive in our walk with God. We need to come to the place where we can say, “I will obey. . .” This is a strong inner determination. It is a heart attitude that recognizes that obeying God is the best and only way to live one’s life.
“Decrees” is just another word for law, i.e. the Scriptures. The writer is convinced that he cannot go very far in life without taking into consideration his relationship to God’s Word.
You know what this reminds me of? Joshua 24:15: But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD."
Joshua had called the people of Israel into making a decision or better yet, a resolution. They had to decide on whether or not serving God (which obedience becomes a part of) would be taken seriously or not. Joshua says, “I can’t speak for any of you, but this much I can say, “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” That’s making a resolution regardless of what others do.
Why is obeying God so important to this author? It is important because he does not want the Lord to forsake him.
Now this is extremely important and I’ll tell you why. Would you know if God ever left you? Seriously, if God should leave you for one day, would you recognize His absence? I think many believers would not. We often can’t even recognize His presence so His absence would not alarm us at all. Most would continue to live their lives as if nothing unusual had taken place.
But to this writer of Psalm 119, the prospect of loosing the presence of God was his utmost fear. The Hebrew word for “forsake” means “to leave behind” or “abandoned.” But then he adds this word, “utterly.” The idea is this: “Do not abandon me to excess.”
You see, what was heavy on the mind of this writer was not only the possibility of God leaving him, but also what God would leave him IN. The idea is this: “Lord, do not leave me alone in my excess or mess that I am in. Do not leave me without the help I need to overcome my evil heart. If all I got is my evil heart to live with, I am going to be in far worse shape. Your presence means all the difference on how I turn out. If you utterly leave me, then I am utterly doomed.”
David said elsewhere: “Forsake me not, O LORD: O my God, be not far from me” (Psalm 38:21). And over in Psalm 51:11, he cried, “Cast me not away from your presence; and take not your Holy Spirit from me.” God’s presence meant everything to David, how about you?
Again I ask: “If God should walk away from you for a day, would you know He did? Would you be aware of His absence?” We often talk about being aware of God’s presence, but how aware are we of His absence?
Now we can understand better the writer’s resolution to obey God’s decrees. He does not want to take the risk of God abandoning him or losing fellowship. So to ensure a close fellowship with God, he boldly proclaims: “I will obey your decrees.”
Summary: Honoring God by obeying the Scriptures is a sure way to know that you and God are tight.
Is it possible for God to forsake a person? Yes it is. This is the reason for the cry of the writer in this Psalm – “do not utterly forsake me.”
But why would God do such a thing? Our rebellion, our sin, our defiant heart – that’s why.
Once a person sees just how important the Word of God is for his or her life, a decision like oath is made – “I will obey.” This is where we all need to arrive in our walk with God. We need to come to the place where we can say, “I will obey. . .” This is a strong inner determination. It is a heart attitude that recognizes that obeying God is the best and only way to live one’s life.
“Decrees” is just another word for law, i.e. the Scriptures. The writer is convinced that he cannot go very far in life without taking into consideration his relationship to God’s Word.
You know what this reminds me of? Joshua 24:15: But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD."
Joshua had called the people of Israel into making a decision or better yet, a resolution. They had to decide on whether or not serving God (which obedience becomes a part of) would be taken seriously or not. Joshua says, “I can’t speak for any of you, but this much I can say, “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” That’s making a resolution regardless of what others do.
Why is obeying God so important to this author? It is important because he does not want the Lord to forsake him.
Now this is extremely important and I’ll tell you why. Would you know if God ever left you? Seriously, if God should leave you for one day, would you recognize His absence? I think many believers would not. We often can’t even recognize His presence so His absence would not alarm us at all. Most would continue to live their lives as if nothing unusual had taken place.
But to this writer of Psalm 119, the prospect of loosing the presence of God was his utmost fear. The Hebrew word for “forsake” means “to leave behind” or “abandoned.” But then he adds this word, “utterly.” The idea is this: “Do not abandon me to excess.”
You see, what was heavy on the mind of this writer was not only the possibility of God leaving him, but also what God would leave him IN. The idea is this: “Lord, do not leave me alone in my excess or mess that I am in. Do not leave me without the help I need to overcome my evil heart. If all I got is my evil heart to live with, I am going to be in far worse shape. Your presence means all the difference on how I turn out. If you utterly leave me, then I am utterly doomed.”
David said elsewhere: “Forsake me not, O LORD: O my God, be not far from me” (Psalm 38:21). And over in Psalm 51:11, he cried, “Cast me not away from your presence; and take not your Holy Spirit from me.” God’s presence meant everything to David, how about you?
Again I ask: “If God should walk away from you for a day, would you know He did? Would you be aware of His absence?” We often talk about being aware of God’s presence, but how aware are we of His absence?
Now we can understand better the writer’s resolution to obey God’s decrees. He does not want to take the risk of God abandoning him or losing fellowship. So to ensure a close fellowship with God, he boldly proclaims: “I will obey your decrees.”
Summary: Honoring God by obeying the Scriptures is a sure way to know that you and God are tight.
Friday, January 29, 2010
Worship From a Straight Heart - Psalm 119:7
I will praise you with an upright heart as I learn your righteous laws – Psalm 119:7 NIV
Knowing and obeying God’s Word will bring blessings to your life, blessings you can count on. However, if God is going to bless you, you must then sincerely seek the Lord and not merely study and read the bible. It is not just having “facts in the head,” but “truth in the heart” that makes you and I grow in the Lord and opens up for us channels of blessings from heaven itself.
“I will praise you” – This is the NIV rendering. But the NASB rendering is “I shall give thanks. . .” It appears that “praise” and “giving thanks” are synonymous. One can hardly render praise to God without doing so from a thankful heart. Also, the particular structure in the Hebrew conveys the idea of cause. In other words, it is because of having an upright heart that causes us to want to praise God. It is God’s blessings that He promises to pour out on us if we obey His Word that causes us to want to praise and give thanks to God. It is the fact that we have God’s commandments as our guide into spiritual truth that causes us to fall down on our knees in humble praise.
“With an upright heart” – This is what gives our praise of God authenticity. You see, people can go through the motion of praise and worship to God, but inwardly their heart is not upright.
Let me give to you a couple of examples.
First, look at Psalm 50
16 But to the wicked, God says:
"What right have you to recite my laws
or take my covenant on your lips?
17 You hate my instruction
and cast my words behind you.
18 When you see a thief, you join with him;
you throw in your lot with adulterers.
19 You use your mouth for evil
and harness your tongue to deceit.
20 You speak continually against your brother
and slander your own mother's son.
21 These things you have done and I kept silent;
you thought I was altogether like you.
But I will rebuke you
and accuse you to your face.
What God is saying here is this: “If you are not obedient to My Word, then stop preaching it. Stop reciting it. Stop using it to make you look good in the eyes of others. You have no desire to want to live by it. I take offense in that you recite My commandments, but your obedience is totally absent.”
You say, “Whew, I’m glad that’s primarily said to those who preach and teach the Word, but for someone like me who simply sings and plays an instrument on a praise team, I don’t have to concern myself with a double standard.”
Hold on – check this out. Check out Amos 5 --
23 Away with the noise of your songs!
I will not listen to the music of your harps.
24 But let justice roll on like a river,
righteousness like a never-failing stream!
God says, “Your singing to Me is merely noise. Silence! And playing your instruments is something I will not take the time to listen to. What I want to see in your heart and life are justice and righteousness. When you have a heart that is filled with these things, then you can sing and play your instruments and then I will listen and take delight in what I hear.”
Therefore, whether you are a preacher or someone who offers praise and worship through songs, an upright heart is mandatory. If our preaching, singing or playing a musical instrument does not come from an upright heart, to the Lord it is mere noise and an offense to His ears.
But how do we know what an “upright heart” looks like?
“As I learn your righteous laws” – We come to know the requirements of having an upright heart by reading and meditating on God’s law (His Word). An upright heart is not gained through service, but sincere service comes forth from an upright heart. We know and understand the meaning of knowing what an upright heart is by understanding and believing the Scriptures.
By the way, the word “upright” means “straight.” This has moral implications. It is a heart that is not crooked or bent toward error. It is straight or in proper alignment with God. It is a heart that points directly toward heaven and does not deviate onto another path.
Interestingly, the word “learn” in the Hebrew carries the idea of “exercise.” In other words, to learn God’s Word is a matter of exercise. It will be demanding. It will take a portion of your time set apart to do so. It will be at times strenuous. But if you learn (exercise) God’s Word regularly, you will have a healthy “upright heart.”
Also, think about this. If you want to participate in a 5K run, you just can’t show up on the morning of the race and expect to finish without croaking. But if you take several days to train for the race by exercising and running, then at the time of the race, you will be in better shape to finish well than if you did not exercise at all.
So it is with Sunday morning worship. If we do not take the time to learn (as in exercise) God’s Word daily during the week, don’t blame the Praise and Worship team if you spiritually croak and have a bad experience. You had a bummer experience in church because you showed up not ready. You did not take the time to spiritually and mentally exercise during the week by reading and meditating on God’s Word. If you did, you would enjoy the worship and you would finish well in the end.
Summary: Praise and thanksgiving to God comes out of a heart that is morally upright and trained in the Scriptures.
Knowing and obeying God’s Word will bring blessings to your life, blessings you can count on. However, if God is going to bless you, you must then sincerely seek the Lord and not merely study and read the bible. It is not just having “facts in the head,” but “truth in the heart” that makes you and I grow in the Lord and opens up for us channels of blessings from heaven itself.
“I will praise you” – This is the NIV rendering. But the NASB rendering is “I shall give thanks. . .” It appears that “praise” and “giving thanks” are synonymous. One can hardly render praise to God without doing so from a thankful heart. Also, the particular structure in the Hebrew conveys the idea of cause. In other words, it is because of having an upright heart that causes us to want to praise God. It is God’s blessings that He promises to pour out on us if we obey His Word that causes us to want to praise and give thanks to God. It is the fact that we have God’s commandments as our guide into spiritual truth that causes us to fall down on our knees in humble praise.
“With an upright heart” – This is what gives our praise of God authenticity. You see, people can go through the motion of praise and worship to God, but inwardly their heart is not upright.
Let me give to you a couple of examples.
First, look at Psalm 50
16 But to the wicked, God says:
"What right have you to recite my laws
or take my covenant on your lips?
17 You hate my instruction
and cast my words behind you.
18 When you see a thief, you join with him;
you throw in your lot with adulterers.
19 You use your mouth for evil
and harness your tongue to deceit.
20 You speak continually against your brother
and slander your own mother's son.
21 These things you have done and I kept silent;
you thought I was altogether like you.
But I will rebuke you
and accuse you to your face.
What God is saying here is this: “If you are not obedient to My Word, then stop preaching it. Stop reciting it. Stop using it to make you look good in the eyes of others. You have no desire to want to live by it. I take offense in that you recite My commandments, but your obedience is totally absent.”
You say, “Whew, I’m glad that’s primarily said to those who preach and teach the Word, but for someone like me who simply sings and plays an instrument on a praise team, I don’t have to concern myself with a double standard.”
Hold on – check this out. Check out Amos 5 --
23 Away with the noise of your songs!
I will not listen to the music of your harps.
24 But let justice roll on like a river,
righteousness like a never-failing stream!
God says, “Your singing to Me is merely noise. Silence! And playing your instruments is something I will not take the time to listen to. What I want to see in your heart and life are justice and righteousness. When you have a heart that is filled with these things, then you can sing and play your instruments and then I will listen and take delight in what I hear.”
Therefore, whether you are a preacher or someone who offers praise and worship through songs, an upright heart is mandatory. If our preaching, singing or playing a musical instrument does not come from an upright heart, to the Lord it is mere noise and an offense to His ears.
But how do we know what an “upright heart” looks like?
“As I learn your righteous laws” – We come to know the requirements of having an upright heart by reading and meditating on God’s law (His Word). An upright heart is not gained through service, but sincere service comes forth from an upright heart. We know and understand the meaning of knowing what an upright heart is by understanding and believing the Scriptures.
By the way, the word “upright” means “straight.” This has moral implications. It is a heart that is not crooked or bent toward error. It is straight or in proper alignment with God. It is a heart that points directly toward heaven and does not deviate onto another path.
Interestingly, the word “learn” in the Hebrew carries the idea of “exercise.” In other words, to learn God’s Word is a matter of exercise. It will be demanding. It will take a portion of your time set apart to do so. It will be at times strenuous. But if you learn (exercise) God’s Word regularly, you will have a healthy “upright heart.”
Also, think about this. If you want to participate in a 5K run, you just can’t show up on the morning of the race and expect to finish without croaking. But if you take several days to train for the race by exercising and running, then at the time of the race, you will be in better shape to finish well than if you did not exercise at all.
So it is with Sunday morning worship. If we do not take the time to learn (as in exercise) God’s Word daily during the week, don’t blame the Praise and Worship team if you spiritually croak and have a bad experience. You had a bummer experience in church because you showed up not ready. You did not take the time to spiritually and mentally exercise during the week by reading and meditating on God’s Word. If you did, you would enjoy the worship and you would finish well in the end.
Summary: Praise and thanksgiving to God comes out of a heart that is morally upright and trained in the Scriptures.
Monday, January 18, 2010
How To Avoid Shame - Psalm 119:6
One of my goals for 2010 is to do a personal study through all 176 verses of Psalm 119. So far, I have already completed 5 verses, today will be verse 6. For a commentary on verses 1-5, look at the blog list.
Then I would not be put to shame when I consider all your commands – Psalm 119:6 NIV
Sin produces within the heart two things: Guilt and shame. Such things are not easily wiped out by putting something like a band aide over a wound. Guilt and shame go much deeper. People have lived with guilt and shame for years seemingly unable to shake it. God has His remedy for such things, but verse 6 is not it. Rather the writer is pointing us into the direction of how not to even get shame.
You see, a consequence of sin is shame. The writer knew what it was like to have shame dominate his life. He has done the wrong thing and the result was the feeling of shame. If the writer of this psalm is David, then we know what he is talking about. David sinned against God by sleeping with Bathsheba, another man’s wife (2 Sam. 11). Then as a way to try to cover his sin, David had the husband of Bathsheba (Uriah) murdered (cf. vv. 14-27).
You can read about David’s guilt and shame in Psalms 32 and 51. David was riddled with guilt and shame “day and night” (Ps. 32:4); physically he wasted away and he groaned all day long (v. 3); he understood that although he slept with another man’s wife, it was God he had sinned against (Ps. 51:4), which was the reason why it was God's hand that was “heavy upon David” (Ps. 32:4).
So the writer is saying that the best way to handle both guilt and shame (both seem to always be together) is to avoid getting them by “considering all God’s commands.”
The word “consider” used by the psalmist means “to pay attention to.” It has to do with taking serious God’s Word. When God had the bible written, He had you and I in mind. He knows what will bring to us joy and happiness. If we come across a bench in a park and it has a sign on it that says, “Wet paint,” if we ignore the sign and sit on the bench, we do so because we did not take seriously the words on the sign. The sign was written for a reason. Those who avoid sitting on the bench are the ones who take the words written on the sign seriously. So it is with God’s Word. The writer says, “consider,” or “pay close attention” to God’s Word. Take all of His commands seriously and you will avoid getting stained with guilt and shame.
Notice that the first word in verse 6 is “then.” In other words, the writer is making an on-going connection to verse 5. Verse 5 states that when our ways are established by God, it is because we “keep His statues” (laws). When I do, “Then I shall not be put to shame.”
Remember our first parents in the Garden? Once Adam and Eve partook of the forbidden fruit, and then when they heard God coming they “hid themselves” (Gen. 3:8). They just had sinned and now they both felt guilty and shameful. People who struggle with shame don’t like to go to church, attend bible studies or other fellowship groups. They feel so ashamed. Scores of excuses will rampage their minds. They hide from God and from others.
Now it is worth noting that there are two kinds of shame. One is negative and it “follows” sin. This form of shame occurs when we sin. The other kind of shame is positive and it “precedes” sin. It is the kind of shame that our conscience produces to enable us to avoid doing something that is wrong.
For example, most normal people would be ashamed to take their clothes off in public. This is a good thing. This form of shame is prohibitive and it stops us from committing acts that are wrong. You never want to lose this kind of shame. It is part of your conscience so keep nourishing it with God’s Word.
But the shame that occurs when we get caught in the act of doing something wrong or even getting caught down the road, whether it is the next day, months or years, the shame that follows is the result of the shame that was tucked away within our hearts and once we got caught it now is out there for everyone to see.
Again, the best way to avoid this type of shame, the shame that follows sin is to take seriously (“pay attention to,” “consider”) all of God’s commands. And when we do, like the writer says, “You will not be put to shame.”
Then I would not be put to shame when I consider all your commands – Psalm 119:6 NIV
Sin produces within the heart two things: Guilt and shame. Such things are not easily wiped out by putting something like a band aide over a wound. Guilt and shame go much deeper. People have lived with guilt and shame for years seemingly unable to shake it. God has His remedy for such things, but verse 6 is not it. Rather the writer is pointing us into the direction of how not to even get shame.
You see, a consequence of sin is shame. The writer knew what it was like to have shame dominate his life. He has done the wrong thing and the result was the feeling of shame. If the writer of this psalm is David, then we know what he is talking about. David sinned against God by sleeping with Bathsheba, another man’s wife (2 Sam. 11). Then as a way to try to cover his sin, David had the husband of Bathsheba (Uriah) murdered (cf. vv. 14-27).
You can read about David’s guilt and shame in Psalms 32 and 51. David was riddled with guilt and shame “day and night” (Ps. 32:4); physically he wasted away and he groaned all day long (v. 3); he understood that although he slept with another man’s wife, it was God he had sinned against (Ps. 51:4), which was the reason why it was God's hand that was “heavy upon David” (Ps. 32:4).
So the writer is saying that the best way to handle both guilt and shame (both seem to always be together) is to avoid getting them by “considering all God’s commands.”
The word “consider” used by the psalmist means “to pay attention to.” It has to do with taking serious God’s Word. When God had the bible written, He had you and I in mind. He knows what will bring to us joy and happiness. If we come across a bench in a park and it has a sign on it that says, “Wet paint,” if we ignore the sign and sit on the bench, we do so because we did not take seriously the words on the sign. The sign was written for a reason. Those who avoid sitting on the bench are the ones who take the words written on the sign seriously. So it is with God’s Word. The writer says, “consider,” or “pay close attention” to God’s Word. Take all of His commands seriously and you will avoid getting stained with guilt and shame.
Notice that the first word in verse 6 is “then.” In other words, the writer is making an on-going connection to verse 5. Verse 5 states that when our ways are established by God, it is because we “keep His statues” (laws). When I do, “Then I shall not be put to shame.”
Remember our first parents in the Garden? Once Adam and Eve partook of the forbidden fruit, and then when they heard God coming they “hid themselves” (Gen. 3:8). They just had sinned and now they both felt guilty and shameful. People who struggle with shame don’t like to go to church, attend bible studies or other fellowship groups. They feel so ashamed. Scores of excuses will rampage their minds. They hide from God and from others.
Now it is worth noting that there are two kinds of shame. One is negative and it “follows” sin. This form of shame occurs when we sin. The other kind of shame is positive and it “precedes” sin. It is the kind of shame that our conscience produces to enable us to avoid doing something that is wrong.
For example, most normal people would be ashamed to take their clothes off in public. This is a good thing. This form of shame is prohibitive and it stops us from committing acts that are wrong. You never want to lose this kind of shame. It is part of your conscience so keep nourishing it with God’s Word.
But the shame that occurs when we get caught in the act of doing something wrong or even getting caught down the road, whether it is the next day, months or years, the shame that follows is the result of the shame that was tucked away within our hearts and once we got caught it now is out there for everyone to see.
Again, the best way to avoid this type of shame, the shame that follows sin is to take seriously (“pay attention to,” “consider”) all of God’s commands. And when we do, like the writer says, “You will not be put to shame.”
Friday, January 8, 2010
The Prayer of the Blessed - Psalm 119:5
Oh, that my ways were steadfast in obeying your decrees! (Psalm 119:5 NIV).
Oh – There is a deep longing in all Christians to keep the commands of God. But guess what? We know how often we fall short. Like a New Year Resolution, we have the best of intentions, then once the New Year turns, within a very short time, all our intentions are just that – good intentions drowned by utter failure.
Here the writer is actually crying out to God. He is praying, pleading and displaying an intense desire. He is all emotion right now. We have already been introduced to what is required to have a “blessed life” (vv. 1-2). Keeping one’s way blameless (v. 1) and observing God’s testimonies (v. 2) are within reach, but so often we fall short. This is because we try our best to obey God in the power and struggle of the flesh. The end result is failure and misery. So the writer cries out to God, “Oh. . .,” which is simply His way of praying, “Lord, I need your help if I am going to pull this off!”
My ways were steadfast – “ways” in the Hebrew means, “path,” “journey,” “course of life.” The word, “steadfast” means “enduring,” “stable” or “firmly fixed.”
Okay, here is the meaning: Ever been on a diet and failed? Of course you have. What usually happens to the majority of people who start out with lots of high hopes but end in disaster? They quit. “Forget this,” they sigh. “I might as well be fat or undisciplined.”
This is the mindset that many people possess; I know I have struggled with this far too many times myself. Failure is what causes many Christians to throw up their hands in disgust and declare, “I might as well walk the path of a weak and defeated Christian. I will never amount to anything good for God.”
Within the first five verses, the writer of this Psalm understands how human nature works. He knows what often accompanies failure – hopelessness. So the he prays, “Lord, please cause the path that I take toward the blessed life to be steadfast, fixed and firmly established. Don’t let me give up over a few failures along the way. Don’t allow me to quit trusting in you. Stop me from listening to the devil and all other voices that say in so many words that I cannot become what God wants me to become. Please keep my walk, my path, my ways firmly secure, strong and enduring.”
Obeying your decrees – Again, continuing the previous thought, the writer is praying that he will not be so easily tempted to give up from obeying God. Walking with the Lord is always a challenge. Obeying God in big and small things means a life of commitment, dedication, duty and submission. There will be days in which we will not feel up to the challenge. It is during such times we are to pray to God and with all of the emotion and intensity within us, ask: “Dear Lord, the spirit within is willing, but my flesh is weak. Today, help me to live in the power of your Spirit and not in the might of the flesh.”
decrees – This means a “prescribe law or command.” God’s laws are thoughtfully prescribed with us in mind. You see, the Lord does not make arbitrary laws that have no thought of us. He prescribes specific commands and laws bearing in mind His people, knowing that it is for their own good and protection that they obey Him. God is good and everything that proceeds forth from Him will bear such resemblance. Never think for one minute that God’s laws are an attack on your happiness and well being. Nothing could be further from the truth. God has decreed such commands in order to ensure your well being. Therefore, don’t become weary in doing good, knowing that you will reap the benefits in due time (Gal. 6:9).
Conclusion: There is no possible way to strive for the blessed life relying on the flesh or human achievement. Cry out to God for help and strength and never become discourage while walking on the path of obedience.
Oh – There is a deep longing in all Christians to keep the commands of God. But guess what? We know how often we fall short. Like a New Year Resolution, we have the best of intentions, then once the New Year turns, within a very short time, all our intentions are just that – good intentions drowned by utter failure.
Here the writer is actually crying out to God. He is praying, pleading and displaying an intense desire. He is all emotion right now. We have already been introduced to what is required to have a “blessed life” (vv. 1-2). Keeping one’s way blameless (v. 1) and observing God’s testimonies (v. 2) are within reach, but so often we fall short. This is because we try our best to obey God in the power and struggle of the flesh. The end result is failure and misery. So the writer cries out to God, “Oh. . .,” which is simply His way of praying, “Lord, I need your help if I am going to pull this off!”
My ways were steadfast – “ways” in the Hebrew means, “path,” “journey,” “course of life.” The word, “steadfast” means “enduring,” “stable” or “firmly fixed.”
Okay, here is the meaning: Ever been on a diet and failed? Of course you have. What usually happens to the majority of people who start out with lots of high hopes but end in disaster? They quit. “Forget this,” they sigh. “I might as well be fat or undisciplined.”
This is the mindset that many people possess; I know I have struggled with this far too many times myself. Failure is what causes many Christians to throw up their hands in disgust and declare, “I might as well walk the path of a weak and defeated Christian. I will never amount to anything good for God.”
Within the first five verses, the writer of this Psalm understands how human nature works. He knows what often accompanies failure – hopelessness. So the he prays, “Lord, please cause the path that I take toward the blessed life to be steadfast, fixed and firmly established. Don’t let me give up over a few failures along the way. Don’t allow me to quit trusting in you. Stop me from listening to the devil and all other voices that say in so many words that I cannot become what God wants me to become. Please keep my walk, my path, my ways firmly secure, strong and enduring.”
Obeying your decrees – Again, continuing the previous thought, the writer is praying that he will not be so easily tempted to give up from obeying God. Walking with the Lord is always a challenge. Obeying God in big and small things means a life of commitment, dedication, duty and submission. There will be days in which we will not feel up to the challenge. It is during such times we are to pray to God and with all of the emotion and intensity within us, ask: “Dear Lord, the spirit within is willing, but my flesh is weak. Today, help me to live in the power of your Spirit and not in the might of the flesh.”
decrees – This means a “prescribe law or command.” God’s laws are thoughtfully prescribed with us in mind. You see, the Lord does not make arbitrary laws that have no thought of us. He prescribes specific commands and laws bearing in mind His people, knowing that it is for their own good and protection that they obey Him. God is good and everything that proceeds forth from Him will bear such resemblance. Never think for one minute that God’s laws are an attack on your happiness and well being. Nothing could be further from the truth. God has decreed such commands in order to ensure your well being. Therefore, don’t become weary in doing good, knowing that you will reap the benefits in due time (Gal. 6:9).
Conclusion: There is no possible way to strive for the blessed life relying on the flesh or human achievement. Cry out to God for help and strength and never become discourage while walking on the path of obedience.
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