As Moses nears the end of his life, he urges God's people to "Take to heart all the words I have solemnly declared to you" (Deuteronomy 32:46). What the people had heard from the lips of Moses had been the words that God had given him for them. "They are not just idle words for you - they are your life" (Deut 32:47).
We have God's word to us in printed form today and His word is so much more than just so many words on a lot of pages. "The word of God is living and active" (Heb 4:12). It "is at work in you who believe" (1 Thess 2:13). "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness" (2 Tim 3:16). When you and I read the Bible we are reading a source of life given to us by God. His words ARE life! Read them regularly and you will find nourishment for your spirit and soul.
The Parson's Bench
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Ash Wednesday and The Lenten Season
Some will observe the Lenten season practicing the spiritual disciplines of fasting and self denial starting today as a way of drawing closer to God in self-examination, confession and repentance. Others, no less devoted to Jesus will not. We do well to remember what God's word teaches as we decide how or if we will observe the Lenten season.
Jesus teaches his followers to fast in ways that do not draw attention to themselves and not to pray or give to the needy with a view to attracting attention to their own piety (Matthew 6:1-18). The apostle Paul cautioned followers of Jesus against judging another believer's practices when he wrote "Who are you to judge someone else's servant? To his own master he stands or falls." (Romans 14:4, NIV).
This is good advice from Scripture. To those who observe Lent through specific spiritual disciplines, keep it between you and the Lord. Whether you fall into the camp of observance or not, do not judge those in the other camp. They are the Lord's children too.
Jesus teaches his followers to fast in ways that do not draw attention to themselves and not to pray or give to the needy with a view to attracting attention to their own piety (Matthew 6:1-18). The apostle Paul cautioned followers of Jesus against judging another believer's practices when he wrote "Who are you to judge someone else's servant? To his own master he stands or falls." (Romans 14:4, NIV).
This is good advice from Scripture. To those who observe Lent through specific spiritual disciplines, keep it between you and the Lord. Whether you fall into the camp of observance or not, do not judge those in the other camp. They are the Lord's children too.
Monday, February 20, 2012
Why Give?
The Old and New Testaments both teach the importance of generosity especially as it applies to our obligation as God's redeemed children to help the poor, the hungry and the helpless. Among the reasons the Bible gives for us to set aside regularly a portion of the blessings God has given us for the sake of others, perhaps there is none more important than the one in Deuteronomy 14:23: "so that you may learn to revere the Lord your God always."
We do not come into this world revering God. We must learn to appreciate His holy character and to approach Him with awe, respect and reverence. Why do we need to learn that? Because God has created us for relationship with Him and that relationship works to our benefit and to His glory best when it is grounded in acknowledgement of and wholehearted submission to His sovereign authority.
God in His infinite wisdom knew that if we would take the first and best portion of what He gives to us (typically our income) and set it aside to be used as He prescribes, our relationship with Him would be strengthened and our trust in Him would grow.
Life is more as God intends it to be for us when we relate to Him on the basis of reverence for Him and there's no better way to learn that than to give regularly, sacrificially and in ways that benefit our neighbors in need.
We do not come into this world revering God. We must learn to appreciate His holy character and to approach Him with awe, respect and reverence. Why do we need to learn that? Because God has created us for relationship with Him and that relationship works to our benefit and to His glory best when it is grounded in acknowledgement of and wholehearted submission to His sovereign authority.
God in His infinite wisdom knew that if we would take the first and best portion of what He gives to us (typically our income) and set it aside to be used as He prescribes, our relationship with Him would be strengthened and our trust in Him would grow.
Life is more as God intends it to be for us when we relate to Him on the basis of reverence for Him and there's no better way to learn that than to give regularly, sacrificially and in ways that benefit our neighbors in need.
Saturday, February 11, 2012
Stop Beating the Donkey and Enjoy the Ride
Did you know that there is the account of a talking donkey in the Bible? It begins in Numbers 22 and it centers on a man named Balaam who was asked by the king of one of Israel's enemies to meet with him for the purpose of calling down a curse on the Israelites. Balaam was not an Israelite but he did believe in the God of Israel probably along with other gods of the day. Balaam refused to meet with King Balak without consulting Israel's God first. God finally permitted Balaam to go meet with Balak and used the journey as an occasion to teach Balaam a lesson.
Three times along the way the donkey on which Balaam was riding seemed to disobey his rider by taking a different direction, crushing Balaam's foot against a narrow wall, and laying down in the road. Each time Balaam angrily beat the animal. Then Balaam heard the animal speak! Now whether God enabled the donkey to speak human or He enabled Balaam to understand donkey is up for grabs. There is an element of humor in the conversation; be sure to read it in Numbers 22:28-30.
After the bizarre conversation the Bible says, "Then the Lord opened Balaam's eyes. . ." (Num 22:31). The Lord let Balaam see what previously only the donkey could see: the angel of the Lord blocking the way. The donkey had been steering around the divine vision for Balaam's protection but Balaam could not see it. He was blinded by his own ego and ambition (see verse29).
Let's not miss the lesson for us here. How many times does God attempt to guide us but blinded by our own agenda we forfeit our trust in Him, insist on doing things our own way and fail to see His guiding hand of mercy and grace. May the Lord open our eyes of faith, teach us to trust in His leadership and may we stop beating the donkey and enjoy the ride!
Three times along the way the donkey on which Balaam was riding seemed to disobey his rider by taking a different direction, crushing Balaam's foot against a narrow wall, and laying down in the road. Each time Balaam angrily beat the animal. Then Balaam heard the animal speak! Now whether God enabled the donkey to speak human or He enabled Balaam to understand donkey is up for grabs. There is an element of humor in the conversation; be sure to read it in Numbers 22:28-30.
After the bizarre conversation the Bible says, "Then the Lord opened Balaam's eyes. . ." (Num 22:31). The Lord let Balaam see what previously only the donkey could see: the angel of the Lord blocking the way. The donkey had been steering around the divine vision for Balaam's protection but Balaam could not see it. He was blinded by his own ego and ambition (see verse29).
Let's not miss the lesson for us here. How many times does God attempt to guide us but blinded by our own agenda we forfeit our trust in Him, insist on doing things our own way and fail to see His guiding hand of mercy and grace. May the Lord open our eyes of faith, teach us to trust in His leadership and may we stop beating the donkey and enjoy the ride!
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
PMA and Stress
Life is full of stressors. We all experience stress; we can't stop it from intruding in our lives. Where we are different is in how we respond to stress and what effects it has upon us.
I read recently where a study by the American Psychological Association revealed that stress levels are lower in western states than other parts of the country. One reason for that, according to the article, may be that there is more evidence of positive mental attitude (PMA) in the west. This might leave us with the impression that if we can just have a more positive outlook on life, we will have less stress to deal with. Now before you pull up stakes and move to California, consider what the Bible says about stress and PMA.
PMA is God's idea. The Bible says, "whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things" Philippians 4:8 (NIV). In other words make a regular practice of intentionally reflecting on thoughts with those qualities; it's just plain healthier! This describes where God wants our head to be all the time. However there is no indication that PMA is God's way for us to handle stress. But He has given us a way in the verses immediately preceding this one.
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV). This is God's strategy for dealing with stress. "Don't be anxious about anything" doesn't mean don't ever get anxious, worried or stressed out. It means that when you ARE don't stay there! God has given you someplace else to go: to Him! When stressors collide with your harmony, immediately turn to God and confess what has you all tied up in knots; ask Him to give you clarity about it and to help you through it. Thank Him for all the good things in your life. You might also want to thank Him that you don't live any further east (just kidding)!
God's word makes you a promise here. If you will turn your stress over to Him, He will give you peace; His brand of peace, the kind that protects your emotions and your thoughts (heart and mind) from being casualties of life's stressful nature. Give it a try. What have you got to lose except the destructive effects of stress?
I read recently where a study by the American Psychological Association revealed that stress levels are lower in western states than other parts of the country. One reason for that, according to the article, may be that there is more evidence of positive mental attitude (PMA) in the west. This might leave us with the impression that if we can just have a more positive outlook on life, we will have less stress to deal with. Now before you pull up stakes and move to California, consider what the Bible says about stress and PMA.
PMA is God's idea. The Bible says, "whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things" Philippians 4:8 (NIV). In other words make a regular practice of intentionally reflecting on thoughts with those qualities; it's just plain healthier! This describes where God wants our head to be all the time. However there is no indication that PMA is God's way for us to handle stress. But He has given us a way in the verses immediately preceding this one.
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV). This is God's strategy for dealing with stress. "Don't be anxious about anything" doesn't mean don't ever get anxious, worried or stressed out. It means that when you ARE don't stay there! God has given you someplace else to go: to Him! When stressors collide with your harmony, immediately turn to God and confess what has you all tied up in knots; ask Him to give you clarity about it and to help you through it. Thank Him for all the good things in your life. You might also want to thank Him that you don't live any further east (just kidding)!
God's word makes you a promise here. If you will turn your stress over to Him, He will give you peace; His brand of peace, the kind that protects your emotions and your thoughts (heart and mind) from being casualties of life's stressful nature. Give it a try. What have you got to lose except the destructive effects of stress?
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