Reading in Spurgeon's devotional this morning and He references Hosea 14:8.
"from me comes your fruit."
This strikes me. This strikes my pride and arrogance. It is from the LORD that comes all things. All that I have is from the hand of the LORD. In my pride I come to think that I earn things. In my arrogance I come to think that I deserve things. No. That is not true. All that I have is by the grace of God. The fingers that I am typing with is by the grace of God alone.
Reading around this passage in Hosea I see that this decree from the LORD is rooted in deep context. The LORD is calling Israel to return to him.
"Return, O Israel, to the LORD your God, for you have stumbled because of your iniquity. Take with you words and return to the LORD; say to him, 'Take away all iniquity; accept what is good...'"
"I will heal their apostasy; I will love them freely, for my anger has turned from them. I will be like the dew to Israel; he shall blossom like the lily; he shall take root like the trees of Lebanon.."
The LORD calls to Israel to turn to him. He calls them to repent. But, he goes even further to tell them what to do. He tells them how to return to himself. Take your words, and ask that all iniquity is taken away.
This should be a daily thing, a confession to the LORD of sin and repentance and falling upon the grace of the LORD and submitting to his rule. It is only God that can take away sin. It is only God that can bring "fruit".
Sunday, September 9, 2012
Thursday, January 13, 2011
.o12
The Call.
I just started reading this new book, "The Call", by Os Guiness. I only read the first two chapters but those first two chapters have been quite thought stirring. This book revolves around the central question of humanity, "What is my purpose?". This question applies to everyone at any point in their life... maybe not a 4 year old, or an 11 year old. But probably by the time one is a teenager, one will begin seeking out answers to this question, consciously or unconsciously. There are people that feel that our purpose here is to find happiness in this earth / culture, relationships, possessions, status, wealth, fame, etc. But what is one to think when those who have many friends, those who have lots of stuff, those with tons of coin, those with fame beyond measure are quite unhappy with their lives? The puzzling thing is that many people still pursue those things as the end all in their pursuit of happiness.
Jesus shows us a different way of life, and a different purpose. Jesus calls us to himself and is the end all in our pursuit of happiness, not even happiness, infinite joy. The creator, sustainer, Lord of all, is seeking out people to find joy, rest, and peace in himself; People to bring glory and honor to himself, the giver of all that is good; People to spread the word about this amazing God that is seeking out people this day.
God is great. Relentless.
I just started reading this new book, "The Call", by Os Guiness. I only read the first two chapters but those first two chapters have been quite thought stirring. This book revolves around the central question of humanity, "What is my purpose?". This question applies to everyone at any point in their life... maybe not a 4 year old, or an 11 year old. But probably by the time one is a teenager, one will begin seeking out answers to this question, consciously or unconsciously. There are people that feel that our purpose here is to find happiness in this earth / culture, relationships, possessions, status, wealth, fame, etc. But what is one to think when those who have many friends, those who have lots of stuff, those with tons of coin, those with fame beyond measure are quite unhappy with their lives? The puzzling thing is that many people still pursue those things as the end all in their pursuit of happiness.
Jesus shows us a different way of life, and a different purpose. Jesus calls us to himself and is the end all in our pursuit of happiness, not even happiness, infinite joy. The creator, sustainer, Lord of all, is seeking out people to find joy, rest, and peace in himself; People to bring glory and honor to himself, the giver of all that is good; People to spread the word about this amazing God that is seeking out people this day.
God is great. Relentless.
Monday, December 6, 2010
.o11
I was reading through Mark 4 this morning and read through the parable of the sower and the soils. The parable talks about a sower sowing seeds on 4 different kinds of soils; the soil on the pathway, the rocky soil, the thorn infested soil, and the good soil.
A few things came to mind when reading through this parable (Mark 4:1-20)
- The sower is throwing seeds everywhere! Seeds land on 4 different kinds of soil. Jesus later explains to the disciples that the seeds are the "word". In this parable the sower spreads the seeds out onto every kind of soil, leaving the growth of the seed up to the soil itself.
What I find interesting is how the farmer didn't deprive the other soils of seed, but threw them out anyway. That is how we should be about the gospel. Because, the truth is that we can't truly know what kind of "soil" is in ones heart. We can assume we know, but there is no way to be sure. We also don't have a shortage of the "word" or "gospel", so we should feel free to throw the gospel at everyone we can. Because sometimes those seeds will find some good soil, and where there used to be just dirt, there is now a tree that bears much fruit.
- May we be excited to throw "seeds" at people. May we be in prayer about the "soil" in peoples heart. Because there is nothing we can do about the soil, that is the Holy Spirits job.
It is a miraculous thing when the word of God meets ones heart that has been softened by the spirit.
"He who has ears, let him hear"... we need to be giving people something to listen to.
A few things came to mind when reading through this parable (Mark 4:1-20)
- The sower is throwing seeds everywhere! Seeds land on 4 different kinds of soil. Jesus later explains to the disciples that the seeds are the "word". In this parable the sower spreads the seeds out onto every kind of soil, leaving the growth of the seed up to the soil itself.
What I find interesting is how the farmer didn't deprive the other soils of seed, but threw them out anyway. That is how we should be about the gospel. Because, the truth is that we can't truly know what kind of "soil" is in ones heart. We can assume we know, but there is no way to be sure. We also don't have a shortage of the "word" or "gospel", so we should feel free to throw the gospel at everyone we can. Because sometimes those seeds will find some good soil, and where there used to be just dirt, there is now a tree that bears much fruit.
- May we be excited to throw "seeds" at people. May we be in prayer about the "soil" in peoples heart. Because there is nothing we can do about the soil, that is the Holy Spirits job.
It is a miraculous thing when the word of God meets ones heart that has been softened by the spirit.
"He who has ears, let him hear"... we need to be giving people something to listen to.
Thursday, October 14, 2010
.o10
think about this:
How often do you think about encouraging others?
Do you feel that it is important to do so?
How does one stir another up to; love and good works?
Hebrews 10:24-25 "And let us consider how to strip up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."
I had the opportunity to read through the book of Hebrews recently and it was so rich with the gospel and the glory of Christ. From the very beginning of the book the writer straight out says that Christ is the "radiance" of the glory of God, and the exact imprint of his nature! From there the author compares the glory of Christ to the angels, to the Israelites forefathers, to the Law of Moses, to Melchizedek, to basically everything that a Jew would hold on to and value highly.
Something that really stuck out to me was 10:24-25 and how the author calls believers to stir each other up to love and good works. Initially, I remembered reading this verse in the past and how this verse pushed me to be in community with other believers and gave me a heart to disciple others. Reading this now is definitely convicting, seeing how I've let the busy-ness of life and "ministry" get in the way of true ministry. Not just settling for just the few minutes I see my brothers and sisters in Christ on Sunday morning, going through the "hi, I'm doing fine" routine. What I am called to, as all believers are, is to genuine relationship and love to the body of Christ and the world, and to accomplish that takes more than the few measly minutes we have in passing on Sunday morning. It takes time, just as all meaningful relationships do. And through this time we spend with each other, this is when we stir each other up in love, whether it's through teaching each other, training one another, rebuking another, or correcting one another. All of these things are needed to "stir" up another with the end goal of it being that our love for Christ increases as well as our love for others.
It is my prayer this week for myself that I will wake up to this reality and seek out what it means to truly love my brothers and sisters in Christ, and commit to stir up others towards love and good works.
How often do you think about encouraging others?
Do you feel that it is important to do so?
How does one stir another up to; love and good works?
Hebrews 10:24-25 "And let us consider how to strip up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."
I had the opportunity to read through the book of Hebrews recently and it was so rich with the gospel and the glory of Christ. From the very beginning of the book the writer straight out says that Christ is the "radiance" of the glory of God, and the exact imprint of his nature! From there the author compares the glory of Christ to the angels, to the Israelites forefathers, to the Law of Moses, to Melchizedek, to basically everything that a Jew would hold on to and value highly.
Something that really stuck out to me was 10:24-25 and how the author calls believers to stir each other up to love and good works. Initially, I remembered reading this verse in the past and how this verse pushed me to be in community with other believers and gave me a heart to disciple others. Reading this now is definitely convicting, seeing how I've let the busy-ness of life and "ministry" get in the way of true ministry. Not just settling for just the few minutes I see my brothers and sisters in Christ on Sunday morning, going through the "hi, I'm doing fine" routine. What I am called to, as all believers are, is to genuine relationship and love to the body of Christ and the world, and to accomplish that takes more than the few measly minutes we have in passing on Sunday morning. It takes time, just as all meaningful relationships do. And through this time we spend with each other, this is when we stir each other up in love, whether it's through teaching each other, training one another, rebuking another, or correcting one another. All of these things are needed to "stir" up another with the end goal of it being that our love for Christ increases as well as our love for others.
It is my prayer this week for myself that I will wake up to this reality and seek out what it means to truly love my brothers and sisters in Christ, and commit to stir up others towards love and good works.
Saturday, May 2, 2009
.oo9
im getting married in 35ish days.
i can't wait. i can't focus. i can't sit still. my head is just running at 1,ooo miles an hour thinking about getting married.
this is quite a hard stage to be in. i am not just "dating", it is more than that. there is a deeper dependance on the other person, there is more transparency, and there is a greater commitment to that person.
but,
you aren't married yet. you don't get to express you love in that physical way.
so, its kind of like that already... not yet... state. already married in some ways, but not yet in other ways.
this is kind of like the state that believers are in... we have already been saved, but we await the full redemption of our physical bodies that will come.
we should be in anxious anticipation of our full redemption. continually thinking about that day, and acting in accordance to that...
i can't imagine what it would be like if my fiance told me everyday that she is excited to marry me, but didn't want to spend any time with me at all and didn't talk to me and actually ignored everything i told her....
that just wouldn't fly...
we do that so much when it comes to our faith...
we say that we can't wait to go to heaven or see jesus, but yet we don't spend any time with him, we don't talk to him, and we ignore everything that he tells us...
if we are truly in love with him and can't wait to be with him, lets love him and obey him..
i can't wait to get married....
i love you more and more everyday!
i can't wait. i can't focus. i can't sit still. my head is just running at 1,ooo miles an hour thinking about getting married.
this is quite a hard stage to be in. i am not just "dating", it is more than that. there is a deeper dependance on the other person, there is more transparency, and there is a greater commitment to that person.
but,
you aren't married yet. you don't get to express you love in that physical way.
so, its kind of like that already... not yet... state. already married in some ways, but not yet in other ways.
this is kind of like the state that believers are in... we have already been saved, but we await the full redemption of our physical bodies that will come.
we should be in anxious anticipation of our full redemption. continually thinking about that day, and acting in accordance to that...
i can't imagine what it would be like if my fiance told me everyday that she is excited to marry me, but didn't want to spend any time with me at all and didn't talk to me and actually ignored everything i told her....
that just wouldn't fly...
we do that so much when it comes to our faith...
we say that we can't wait to go to heaven or see jesus, but yet we don't spend any time with him, we don't talk to him, and we ignore everything that he tells us...
if we are truly in love with him and can't wait to be with him, lets love him and obey him..
i can't wait to get married....
i love you more and more everyday!
Monday, February 23, 2009
.oo8
to know God should be THE thing we strive for.
for this is eternal life, to know him, the father, the creator, the life-giver, the all sovereign, all knowing, all loving, all just, all faithful, all gracious, all merciful, everlasting, unchanging, perfect, redeemer, saviour. (paraphrase of course)
if eternal life is to know God, let us start now. it should be our heart to start now, learning about our infinitely beautiful and glorious God.
al.
for this is eternal life, to know him, the father, the creator, the life-giver, the all sovereign, all knowing, all loving, all just, all faithful, all gracious, all merciful, everlasting, unchanging, perfect, redeemer, saviour. (paraphrase of course)
if eternal life is to know God, let us start now. it should be our heart to start now, learning about our infinitely beautiful and glorious God.
al.
Monday, January 5, 2009
.007
hey,
i hope that you all had a good holiday break. During this break, i looked back upon this past year and all that happened, seeing how much God had done in my life. He took me out of so much things that did not bring him glory. he turned my heart towards him. he provided for me, to move to california, to go to school, to live in an apartment, to have food to eat, all while not having a job. i see his good hand in that, allowing me to focus on my studies for the first semester of bible college. it is so amazing how God's plan is perfect.
after getting engaged, i knew that i had to start working, and also with my savings running out, i didn't have much time to find a job.
the day before i go back to hawaii for the christmas break i stopped in the family christian bookstore, (which i applied to for a job at the end of august with no luck) to do some last minute christmas shopping. while i was in the store, the manager recognizes me from the one interview i had with him. He calls me over and asks to talk to me in the back room. Long story short, he asks if i am still interested in working there. I just respond, "yes, I'm still interested." I didn't really have hope in getting a job there because that was the same type of thing he told me in the interview i had back in august. so, small talk goes by and he says he will contact me once january rolls around.
i sit in my apartment today, praising god. i am employed. i start work tomorrow.
it's so amazing how god works. how perfect his plan is. how perfect his timing is.
I walked into the store to go shopping, and the manager approaches me with a job offer!?!?!
how often does that happen?
praise God for he is good. praise God for he is worthy of praise. praise God for his continued provision over you and me.
look at what God has done for you, look how he has provided for you.
he is worthy of praise.
al
i hope that you all had a good holiday break. During this break, i looked back upon this past year and all that happened, seeing how much God had done in my life. He took me out of so much things that did not bring him glory. he turned my heart towards him. he provided for me, to move to california, to go to school, to live in an apartment, to have food to eat, all while not having a job. i see his good hand in that, allowing me to focus on my studies for the first semester of bible college. it is so amazing how God's plan is perfect.
after getting engaged, i knew that i had to start working, and also with my savings running out, i didn't have much time to find a job.
the day before i go back to hawaii for the christmas break i stopped in the family christian bookstore, (which i applied to for a job at the end of august with no luck) to do some last minute christmas shopping. while i was in the store, the manager recognizes me from the one interview i had with him. He calls me over and asks to talk to me in the back room. Long story short, he asks if i am still interested in working there. I just respond, "yes, I'm still interested." I didn't really have hope in getting a job there because that was the same type of thing he told me in the interview i had back in august. so, small talk goes by and he says he will contact me once january rolls around.
i sit in my apartment today, praising god. i am employed. i start work tomorrow.
it's so amazing how god works. how perfect his plan is. how perfect his timing is.
I walked into the store to go shopping, and the manager approaches me with a job offer!?!?!
how often does that happen?
praise God for he is good. praise God for he is worthy of praise. praise God for his continued provision over you and me.
look at what God has done for you, look how he has provided for you.
he is worthy of praise.
al
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