NOT KNOWING!

Thursday, March 28, 2019

NOT KNOWING!

Acts 20:22-24

22 And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there:

23 Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me.

24 But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.

Heb 11:8-10

8 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.

9 By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise:

10 For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.

           The phrase “not knowing” is found seven times in the Bible. A few times it refers to someone’s ignorance or confusion but these two times it refers to a life lived by faith. In the book of Acts, Paul felt very strongly that he should travel to Jerusalem. His friends tried to warn him that persecution, prison and possible death awaited him there. It should have been strong motivation not to go but Paul was driven by a desire to complete the assignments given to him by the Lord.

           Abraham was “called” to go out, but the destination was uncertain. Not knowing, he had a choice to make. He could either go or not. He could obey or not. He could trust or not. I find it very interesting that Abraham did not only sojourn TO but IN the land of promise. Wherever he went, whatever the circumstance, God was there with him leading him not only step by step but inch by inch. He did not know – could not know – but God knew and that was enough.

         Because we like to know, we do not feel led but abducted by God! Often, He kicks over our comfortable habitat and scatters our pleasant things so that we will no longer want to stay where we have for a long time been. We are then cast upon a journey to a place where God always wanted us to be. What we thought was a destination was actually a pleasant oasis. Now it is time to saddle the camels and ride. It is not always fun not knowing.

Ps 32:8

8 I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.

Dear Lord, my entire day is already planned but only you know how things are going to play out – and that is enough. AMEN

NOT ANOTHER DROP!

Wednesday, March 27, 2019

NOT ANOTHER DROP!

Matt 26:39

39 And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.

Matt 26:56-58

Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled.

57 And they that had laid hold on Jesus led him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled.

58 But Peter followed him afar off unto the high priest's palace, and went in, and sat with the servants, to see the end.

           I wonder which was worse; to flee or to follow at a distance? Peter speaks openly our own secret thoughts. He does the foolish things we only think to do. He represents us in so many ways. We want to be like steadfast Paul but more often we resemble Peter.

           The ancients spoke with a language that seems more like poetry to us. I often bemoan the loss of our own language. Jesus was given a cup to drink and he emptied it of the very last drop. It was required of him to satisfy the just demands of His offended Father. He sweat great drops of blood as he contemplated the cost of my redemption. Once that horrible cost was fully known He drank the cup.

           Peter followed “afar off” so that he could “see the end.” When asked about his relationship with Christ, he denied any such relationship three times. The rooster faithfully crowed his message of condemnation and Peter went out and wept bitterly.

At The Cross

But drops of grief can ne'er repay

The debt of love I owe:

Here, Lord, I give my self away

'Tis all that I can do.

Dear Lord, let me not add one more drop to the cup you have already drunk. Let me neither flee not follow afar off but hold firm and steadfast by your side. AMEN

OUR INNER SENSE OF GOD!

Tuesday, March 26, 2019

OUR INNER SENSE OF GOD!

Rom 1:20-23

20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,

23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.

           All persons everywhere have a deep, inner sense that God exists, that they are his creatures, and that he is their Creator. Paul said that even Gentile unbelievers “knew God.” With nothing but creation to observe, humanity confirms and concludes that God exists because “God has shown it to them” (Romans 1:19) There are no true atheists; only those who deny and fight against what they know to be true deep down inside.

           Since the knowledge, and near presence, of God is inconvenient and uncomfortable to the wicked person, he first curses and then renounces the Lord. Foolishly he declares that there is no God; not because he is convinced of it, but because that is more comfortable. Because of his wickedness, he suppresses the truth. (Romans 1:18)

Ps 10:3-4

3 For the wicked boasteth of his heart's desire, and blesseth the covetous, whom the Lord abhorreth.

4 The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts.

           Sometimes truth is twisted conveniently around a particular sin. While the word “homosexual” or “homosexuality” is not used in Romans 1, certainly it is described in verses 26 and 27. The word “vile” refers to practices that are infamously disgraceful and shameful. A series of active verbs indicates that this is a willful suppression of the truth (Rom.1:23, 25, 28, 32). Changed in verse 23 means “to make different.” Changed in verse 25 means “to exchange” or to trade one thing for another. The word “commit” in verse 32 means “to repeatedly and habitually practice.” Homosexuality is a learned behavior that is disgusting to God who created both males and females.

           In the life of a Christian this inner awareness of God becomes stronger and more distinct. We begin to know God as our loving Father in heaven (Rom. 8:15), the Holy Spirit bears witness with our spirits that we are children of God (Rom. 8:16), and we come to know Jesus Christ living within our hearts (Eph. 3:17; Phil. 3:8, 10; Col. 1:27; John 14:23). The intensity of this awareness for a Christian is such that though we have not seen our Lord Jesus Christ, we indeed love him (1 Peter 1:8). – Systematic Theology by Wayne Grudem.

Dear Lord, I know that you are God. I can feel you deep inside of me and I can see your handiwork all around me. While your presence may be often uncomfortable when I sin, I cannot deny you. Thank you for pressing in on me and demanding my attention. AMEN