One of the most beautiful written collection of prayers and songs of all time are found in the Bible in the Book of Psalms. Many of these Psalms were written by David, the famous King of Israel. In these Psalms, we read of David’s heartfelt joys, sorrows, and questions.
Two of the questions that he recorded in one particular Psalm are immediately followed with a somewhat surprising answer. David begins Psalm 15 with these two questions: “Who may worship in your sanctuary, LORD? Who may enter your presence on your holy hill?” (Psalm 15:1 NLT).
Most readers would probably expect the answer to include a list of “religious accomplishments” like … spent hours in prayer, faithful in attendance at worship gatherings, or memorized hundreds of Bible verses. But the Psalmist instead answers with a list of examples of healthy interaction in interpersonal relationships. David writes,
“Those who lead blameless lives and do what is right, speaking the truth from sincere hearts. Those who refuse to gossip or harm their neighbors or speak evil of their friends. Those who despise flagrant sinners, and honor the faithful followers of the LORD, and keep their promises even when it hurts. Those who lend money without charging interest, and who cannot be bribed to lie about the innocent. Such people will stand firm forever.” (Psalm 15:2-5 NLT)
Once again we clearly see the way we treat others directly affects and reflects our relationship with a Holy God! David’s questions raise another question in my heart … Have my interactions with others this week represented someone who is regularly drawing near to a Holy God? How about you?
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Thursday, April 22, 2010
An Unsung Hero
When I seek to list the great heroes of faith in the Bible, who lived prior to Jesus walking the earth, the following individuals come to mind: Noah, Abraham, Joseph, Moses, Joshua, and David. And yet one of the most inspiring, unsung heroes in the Bible is a guy named Jonathan.
Jonathan was the son of Saul, the first King of Israel. Jonathan’s courage in battle and loyalty to the King (his father) are recorded in the book of the Bible entitled 1 Samuel. This book of the Bible describes in detail the military conquests of Saul and Jonathan and the growing influence of a shepherd boy named David, who would later become the second king of Israel. But in the midst of the unfolding drama of Saul’s faltering leadership and David’s rise in popularity, is an inspiring story of a genuine friendship that developed between David and Jonathan.
Jonathan, the heir apparent to the throne of Israel, is not concerned about his rights or his claim to power. Instead, Jonathan recognizes that the LORD has called David to leadership in Israel, and humbly responds by seeking to be a loyal friend to the future king. A lesser man would have succumbed to jealousy or rivalry, but instead Jonathan made it his goal to support and defend David even against the jealous attacks of his father, Saul.
The following Bible verses describe the heroic, noteworthy character of Jonathan: “So Jonathan made a solemn pact with David, saying, “May the LORD destroy all your enemies!” And Jonathan made David reaffirm his vow of friendship again, for Jonathan loved David as he loved himself.” (1 Samuel 20:16-17).
The above Biblical description of Jonathan’s friendship with David both humbles me and challenges me. This example of friendship reminds me of faithful friends in my life who have selflessly given themselves to support me in spite of my shortcomings. It also challenges me to extend love, friendship and support to others not expecting to receive anything in return.
Thank God for dependable friends! Is there a faithful friend in your life that you have possibly taken for granted? Why not let them know this week you appreciate them?
Jonathan was the son of Saul, the first King of Israel. Jonathan’s courage in battle and loyalty to the King (his father) are recorded in the book of the Bible entitled 1 Samuel. This book of the Bible describes in detail the military conquests of Saul and Jonathan and the growing influence of a shepherd boy named David, who would later become the second king of Israel. But in the midst of the unfolding drama of Saul’s faltering leadership and David’s rise in popularity, is an inspiring story of a genuine friendship that developed between David and Jonathan.
Jonathan, the heir apparent to the throne of Israel, is not concerned about his rights or his claim to power. Instead, Jonathan recognizes that the LORD has called David to leadership in Israel, and humbly responds by seeking to be a loyal friend to the future king. A lesser man would have succumbed to jealousy or rivalry, but instead Jonathan made it his goal to support and defend David even against the jealous attacks of his father, Saul.
The following Bible verses describe the heroic, noteworthy character of Jonathan: “So Jonathan made a solemn pact with David, saying, “May the LORD destroy all your enemies!” And Jonathan made David reaffirm his vow of friendship again, for Jonathan loved David as he loved himself.” (1 Samuel 20:16-17).
The above Biblical description of Jonathan’s friendship with David both humbles me and challenges me. This example of friendship reminds me of faithful friends in my life who have selflessly given themselves to support me in spite of my shortcomings. It also challenges me to extend love, friendship and support to others not expecting to receive anything in return.
Thank God for dependable friends! Is there a faithful friend in your life that you have possibly taken for granted? Why not let them know this week you appreciate them?
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Loyal Friendship
One of the great stories of love and friendship of all time is contained in the tiny book of the Bible, entitled, Ruth. The main character of the book is Ruth, a young woman who although not Jewish becomes (through an amazing twist) one of the most fascinating characters in Jewish History.
Ruth, a Moabite, married a Jewish man who died at a young age. Ruth’s mother-in-law was a widow herself and her name was Naomi. The book of Ruth describes Ruth and Naomi’s journey of faith from Moab to Bethlehem during a difficult time of famine and personal poverty. At a time of great hardship, Ruth remains loyal to her mother-in-law and declares her loyalty through the following statement: “Don’t ask me to leave you and turn back. Wherever you go, I will go; wherever you live, I will live. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God. Wherever you die, I will die, and there I will be buried. May the LORD punish me severely if I allow anything but death to separate us!” (Ruth 1:16-17 NLT).
Although Ruth’s statement of commitment is often used in a wedding ceremony to describe marital faithfulness, the truth is that it was an expression of selfless love between friends. This expression of loyal friendship raises a number of challenging questions for the reader of the Bible:
How has a loyal friend in your past made a positive difference in your life?
Are you presently being a loyal friend to others?
Are you going through a difficult time in life that you need to reach out to a trusted friend for help and support?
Is there someone in your life that needs you to stick by his or her side for an extended time during a difficult challenge or challenges that he or she is facing?
I am convinced that the LORD blesses and works powerfully through people who are willing to extend selfless acts of friendship. In Ruth’s case, the LORD provided an opportunity for her to meet a relative of her deceased husband named Boaz, who provided financial support for Ruth and Naomi the remainder of their lives. By the way, Ruth and Boaz married and had a son named Obed, a grandson named Jesse, and a great-grandson named David. And yes that is the same David that became the greatest king of Israel’s history.
History was changed through a loyal friendship and I am convinced that the future can be changed by loyal friendship as well!
Ruth, a Moabite, married a Jewish man who died at a young age. Ruth’s mother-in-law was a widow herself and her name was Naomi. The book of Ruth describes Ruth and Naomi’s journey of faith from Moab to Bethlehem during a difficult time of famine and personal poverty. At a time of great hardship, Ruth remains loyal to her mother-in-law and declares her loyalty through the following statement: “Don’t ask me to leave you and turn back. Wherever you go, I will go; wherever you live, I will live. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God. Wherever you die, I will die, and there I will be buried. May the LORD punish me severely if I allow anything but death to separate us!” (Ruth 1:16-17 NLT).
Although Ruth’s statement of commitment is often used in a wedding ceremony to describe marital faithfulness, the truth is that it was an expression of selfless love between friends. This expression of loyal friendship raises a number of challenging questions for the reader of the Bible:
How has a loyal friend in your past made a positive difference in your life?
Are you presently being a loyal friend to others?
Are you going through a difficult time in life that you need to reach out to a trusted friend for help and support?
Is there someone in your life that needs you to stick by his or her side for an extended time during a difficult challenge or challenges that he or she is facing?
I am convinced that the LORD blesses and works powerfully through people who are willing to extend selfless acts of friendship. In Ruth’s case, the LORD provided an opportunity for her to meet a relative of her deceased husband named Boaz, who provided financial support for Ruth and Naomi the remainder of their lives. By the way, Ruth and Boaz married and had a son named Obed, a grandson named Jesse, and a great-grandson named David. And yes that is the same David that became the greatest king of Israel’s history.
History was changed through a loyal friendship and I am convinced that the future can be changed by loyal friendship as well!
Friday, April 9, 2010
The Importance of Spiritual Leadership
A fascinating book in the Old Testament is the book entitled, Judges. It tells of a period of time in Israel’s history that they were lacking strong consistent leadership, which is extremely ironic sense the book highlights some very strong leaders like Deborah, Gideon, Jephthah, and Samson (he was at least physically strong).
Throughout the book, we see the people of God being drawn into ungodly practices and false beliefs that are influenced deeply by the surrounding countries. It appears that in the book, the Israelites continually forget the importance of worshipping God and following his teachings. Over and over again, it is only when the Israelites find themselves suffering difficult times, do they turn to the LORD and cry out for His help.
God’s faithfulness and grace is demonstrated through Him continually answering Israel’s prayer for deliverance by providing a “judge” to provide leadership and direction during difficult times. And then typically as result of the spiritual leadership provided through this judge, the people of God experience a time of peace and victory. Once this leader dies, the people quickly return to evil practices.
The book demonstrates numerous faith lessons. One lesson is that human beings can be very fickle and continually forget the importance of seeking God and obeying His teachings. The second lesson is that strong spiritual leadership makes a huge difference in the life of believers.
The last verse of the book could serve as a theme or summary verse of the entire book. It reads simply, “In those days Israel had no king; all the people did whatever seemed right in their own eyes.” Judges 21:25 NLT
Throughout the book, we see the people of God being drawn into ungodly practices and false beliefs that are influenced deeply by the surrounding countries. It appears that in the book, the Israelites continually forget the importance of worshipping God and following his teachings. Over and over again, it is only when the Israelites find themselves suffering difficult times, do they turn to the LORD and cry out for His help.
God’s faithfulness and grace is demonstrated through Him continually answering Israel’s prayer for deliverance by providing a “judge” to provide leadership and direction during difficult times. And then typically as result of the spiritual leadership provided through this judge, the people of God experience a time of peace and victory. Once this leader dies, the people quickly return to evil practices.
The book demonstrates numerous faith lessons. One lesson is that human beings can be very fickle and continually forget the importance of seeking God and obeying His teachings. The second lesson is that strong spiritual leadership makes a huge difference in the life of believers.
The last verse of the book could serve as a theme or summary verse of the entire book. It reads simply, “In those days Israel had no king; all the people did whatever seemed right in their own eyes.” Judges 21:25 NLT
Thursday, April 1, 2010
What is Maundy?
This is the week of the year that we hear terms thrown around like … Holy Week, Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and of course Easter Sunday. I hate to admit it, but prior to researching the word, “Maundy,” I did not know what that word meant. Do you?
As I have researched the word, I discovered that some theorize that the word originated in the English language from the "maundsor" baskets that were used by the King of England to distribute alms to the poor. It also appears that the English word for “maundy” is possibly connected with the Latin word “mendicare,” and the French word “mendier” which means “to beg.”
Traditionally, Maundy Thursday is observed by believers through remembering Jesus’ Last Supper and possibly even participating in a ceremonial washing of the soles of feet to remember Jesus act of love to his closest friends following their last meal together prior to the cross. The Bible records that when Jesus turned to Peter. Peter protested by saying, “No … you will never ever wash my feet.” Jesus response to Peter was “Unless I wash you, you won’t belong to me” (John 13:8 NLT).
Peter (like some of us) struggled with accepting the gift from another person. Possibly, Peter felt unworthy to accept this act of kindness or possibly it was difficult for Peter to see Jesus perform such a humbling act of service. And yet Jesus taught that being in a relationship with God includes humbly accepting His gifts in our lives.
Learning to receive Christ’s gifts of forgiveness, mercy, and grace requires the believer to accept the role of a beggar receiving gifts that are not deserved. Have you humbly accepted the gifts of grace that God wants to pour into your life? Or are you like Peter struggling to admit that you need Jesus to meet a need that you cannot meet for yourself?
If you have humbly received salvation in Christ, are you sharing this good news with others? It has been said that sharing good news with others (which is sometimes called evangelism) is simply “one beggar telling another beggar where there is help.” On this “Maundy Thursday” let’s share with others the good news that Jesus is still in the business of cleansing “the souls” of human beings!
As I have researched the word, I discovered that some theorize that the word originated in the English language from the "maundsor" baskets that were used by the King of England to distribute alms to the poor. It also appears that the English word for “maundy” is possibly connected with the Latin word “mendicare,” and the French word “mendier” which means “to beg.”
Traditionally, Maundy Thursday is observed by believers through remembering Jesus’ Last Supper and possibly even participating in a ceremonial washing of the soles of feet to remember Jesus act of love to his closest friends following their last meal together prior to the cross. The Bible records that when Jesus turned to Peter. Peter protested by saying, “No … you will never ever wash my feet.” Jesus response to Peter was “Unless I wash you, you won’t belong to me” (John 13:8 NLT).
Peter (like some of us) struggled with accepting the gift from another person. Possibly, Peter felt unworthy to accept this act of kindness or possibly it was difficult for Peter to see Jesus perform such a humbling act of service. And yet Jesus taught that being in a relationship with God includes humbly accepting His gifts in our lives.
Learning to receive Christ’s gifts of forgiveness, mercy, and grace requires the believer to accept the role of a beggar receiving gifts that are not deserved. Have you humbly accepted the gifts of grace that God wants to pour into your life? Or are you like Peter struggling to admit that you need Jesus to meet a need that you cannot meet for yourself?
If you have humbly received salvation in Christ, are you sharing this good news with others? It has been said that sharing good news with others (which is sometimes called evangelism) is simply “one beggar telling another beggar where there is help.” On this “Maundy Thursday” let’s share with others the good news that Jesus is still in the business of cleansing “the souls” of human beings!
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