But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins. (‭2 Peter‬ ‭1‬:‭9‬ NIV)

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Was blessed to have an opportunity to do an impromptu message at EDGE to close off our study on 2 Peter 1:3-11 .

It was definitely God who gave the inspiration for the illustration. It wasn’t just a message to the kids, it was mostly God’s message to me. In fact, probably the reason it was so easy for me to talk about it was because it is exactly the story of my Christian life.

“Many of us try to live our Christian life blindfolded.”

We forget that Jesus has set us free, has forgiven us of our sins, and has given every thing we need for a godly life (v.3) through his Spirit.

Our part is to make every effort (v.5, v.10) to increase our faith, goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love (v.5-7).

I love the last part of the illustration, when we finally realize we don’t have to be nearsighted and blind (v.9), we are more effective and productive (v.8) in our Christian life. We can go to Jesus without stumbling or fumbling along the way, and receive a rich welcome into His eternal kingdom (v.11)

(crosspost at medium.com)

He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. (‭Psalm‬ ‭147‬:‭3‬ ESV)

We usually associate a broken heart in the romantic sense —unrequited love — but we know that this goes beyond that. Because people are inherently sinful, people are going to get hurt, whether physically or emotionally. And God can heal both kinds of wounds.

What else can God do?

• He builds up nations and peoples
• He gathers outcasts
• He manages the universe
• He lifts up the humble and grounds the wicked
• He manages nature: from the clouds to rain, to grass, trees, and animals, to snow, frost and hail, to the winds and the waters
• He protects us
• He blesses our families
• He brings peace
• He brings provisions
• He has made himself known to us

What is the only logical response? Sing praises! It is good, pleasant, and fitting (v.1) To trust and to obey. He loves us and he desires for us to put our hope in Him.

(crosspost at medium.com )

 

The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. (‭1 Timothy‬ ‭3‬:‭1‬ ESV)

I struggled as I thought about this passage.

There have been times when I have felt, encouraged, even aspired, to be in some sort of overseer role in the Church. To serve so that others may be able to exercise their spiritual gifts to the fullest.

But, just as a few posts ago, I am afraid. I fear that because of my immaturity I will disgrace Christianity, that I will cause people to stumble. I fear I might already have.

Why so easily defeated? When God is sovereign above all things? When there is already forgiveness and victory in Jesus? When there is great power in the Holy Spirit?

Well… I am immature. I need to grow.

Also, I might be approaching this the wrong way. I am focusing too much on the Task, when I should really be focusing on the Task-Master. My strength and my willpower will fail, and I will face discouragement if I focus only on the task. My focus should be on God. To be “a man after God’s own heart”.

It’s interesting that the chapter ended with “The Mystery of Godliness”.

Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness: He was manifested in the flesh, vindicated by the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory. (‭1 Timothy‬ ‭3‬:‭16‬ ESV)

I have no idea what it really means, but it’s interesting for me that this mystery of godliness does not talk about how we should talk or act or think. Godliness is about Jesus, and that’s a comforting thought.

• Hear
• Tell
• Awake
• Lament
• Be Ashamed
• Fast
• Call to the Lord

As the saying goes, “short term gain, long term loss.” At this point I don’t know the consequences of the tribes’ request, but it seems like they are “settling”..

Settling for second best? There is an eternal gap between God’s best and man’s best.

Though we shouldn’t be quick to judge the tribes of Reuben and Gad – I know it’s easier to trust what you can see and can (seemingly) control, than what you cannot see and cannot control. It’s right there, this will do. Why go through all the hard work?

Moses, truly a leader, considers the effect of this request to the other tribes. They might see this as a way to escape the difficulties they know they will have to face – even though God is the one who will do most of the actual work. He is afraid that the unbelief of the fathers has been passed down to the children, and another generation of Israelites will not be able to claim the promise. 

After the tribes assured Moses of their intention to fulfill their responsibilities to their Israelite brothers, Moses accepted and gave in to their request.

I wonder how this decision will turn out later on.