John 9:1-7
CHAPTER 9
1 And as He passed by, He saw a man blind from birth.2 And His disciples asked Him, saying, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he should be born blind?"3 Jesus answered, "{It was} neither {that} this man sinned, nor his parents; but {it was} in order that the works of God might be displayed in him.4 "We must work the works of Him who sent Me, as long as it is day; night is coming, when no man can work.5 "While I am in the world, I am the light of the world."6 When He had said this, He spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and applied the clay to his eyes,7 and said to him, "Go, wash in the pool of Siloam" (which is translated, sent). And so he went away and washed, and came {back} seeing.(NAS)
This story actually fits right in with the Piper book I'm reading right now. Everything that happens fits into God's plan, and eventually glorifies Him. This blind man wasn't blind as some sort of punishment, he was blind so that Jesus could heal him and show His glory. It's the same with other tragedies. They all have a purpose. Our suffering has a purpose. In case you're wondering, the book I'm referring to is Spectacular Sins, by John Piper. The book is all about how God allows terrible things to happen, but how they somehow glorify Him in the end.
As a side note, it's interesting in the story of the blind man to note what Jesus says in verses 4 and 5. It's hard to say for sure, but it seems like Jesus is saying there is only a limited time where these miraculous works (like healing a blind man) will occur. It's only a bit of a theory, but one with historical evidence. After Jesus left, some of the believers performed miraculous signs for a while longer, but these signs eventually stopped.
Friday, February 27, 2009
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
His Words
John 7:16-18
16 Jesus therefore answered them, and said, "My teaching is not Mine, but His who sent Me.17 "If any man is willing to do His will, he shall know of the teaching, whether it is of God, or {whether} I speak from Myself.18 "He who speaks from himself seeks his own glory; but He who is seeking the glory of the One who sent Him, He is true, and there is no unrighteousness in Him.(NAS)
Jesus' reply here is seen after the Jews wondered how such a man as Jesus could be so educated.
His reply is that His teaching comes from God. Even though Jesus is God, He made himself a man and came to earth to glorify the Father. While on earth, He submitted to the will of the Father, including His death on the cross. The way Jesus acted while on earth in respect to His relationship with the Father is a good example for us. In verse 18, Jesus says that whoever speaks his own words is glorifying himself, but Jesus spoke the Father's words. It seems that the translators assumed the Him to be referring to Christ by capitalizing it (this isn't present in every translation either), but even if that is the case it can still expand to our own lives. As believers, we are God's ambassadors, not our own. I hope and pray that my words never get in the way of God's words.
16 Jesus therefore answered them, and said, "My teaching is not Mine, but His who sent Me.17 "If any man is willing to do His will, he shall know of the teaching, whether it is of God, or {whether} I speak from Myself.18 "He who speaks from himself seeks his own glory; but He who is seeking the glory of the One who sent Him, He is true, and there is no unrighteousness in Him.(NAS)
Jesus' reply here is seen after the Jews wondered how such a man as Jesus could be so educated.
His reply is that His teaching comes from God. Even though Jesus is God, He made himself a man and came to earth to glorify the Father. While on earth, He submitted to the will of the Father, including His death on the cross. The way Jesus acted while on earth in respect to His relationship with the Father is a good example for us. In verse 18, Jesus says that whoever speaks his own words is glorifying himself, but Jesus spoke the Father's words. It seems that the translators assumed the Him to be referring to Christ by capitalizing it (this isn't present in every translation either), but even if that is the case it can still expand to our own lives. As believers, we are God's ambassadors, not our own. I hope and pray that my words never get in the way of God's words.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Children of God
To anyone patiently waiting for me to blog... OK, I doubt there's that many, if any. Anyway, I've tried a few times lately, but having dial-up, I've had some trouble with the Internet lately. I've been lucky to get my e-mail some nights.
I've also been rather busy of late. I recently took a short trip to California for a scholarship interview at The Master's College, the school I'm planning on going to. I stayed the weekend with some nice friends of the family that live south of LA (the college is north of LA). I spent one night in the dorm at the college, and I met so many great students and staff that I don't remember hardly any of their names (if that makes sense. if it doesn't, sorry).
John 1:12-13
12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, {even} to those who believe in His name,13 who were born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.(NAS)
This verse is a strong case for predestination. Those who become children of God reach this point not by inheritance (blood), not by the will of the flesh, and not by man's will. Those of us that are children of God are children of God only through God. We received Jesus because he gave us the faith to do so.
Not born of blood means that just because someone's parents are Christians doesn't mean they automatically are. The Greek word translated "flesh" is a word that is often associated with the flesh nature and the sin that comes along with it. It can also mean the physical body, as opposed to the spirit. So, it is apart from our own fleshly desires that we are saved as God's children. It could also imply that it is outside of our own work in the flesh. Not by man's will means nearly the same thing. Even the desire to be a child of God does not come from man. We have to be "encouraged" by the Holy Spirit so to speak.
The fact that God chose us not on merit, but just because he could is encouraging. It means that our salvation is secure. Nothing we did got us salvation, and nothing we do will take it away. I know I probably say all this a lot, but I guess I feel it's important. It's also important to note once again with this what Paul says:
Rom 6:1-2
1 What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace might increase?2 May it never be! How shall we who died to sin still live in it?(NAS)
The question is, how to balance eternal security with the need to stop sinning. From Romans 6:2, it seems that being saved from the slavery of sin, we wouldn't want to continue in it. This doesn't mean we'll never sin (on the contrary, in 1 John it says that anyone who claims to be without sin is not a true Christian), but it does mean that the pattern of sin in a believer's life should be less and less as spiritual growth takes place. We should continually be aiming for further Christlikeness.
I've also been rather busy of late. I recently took a short trip to California for a scholarship interview at The Master's College, the school I'm planning on going to. I stayed the weekend with some nice friends of the family that live south of LA (the college is north of LA). I spent one night in the dorm at the college, and I met so many great students and staff that I don't remember hardly any of their names (if that makes sense. if it doesn't, sorry).
John 1:12-13
12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, {even} to those who believe in His name,13 who were born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.(NAS)
This verse is a strong case for predestination. Those who become children of God reach this point not by inheritance (blood), not by the will of the flesh, and not by man's will. Those of us that are children of God are children of God only through God. We received Jesus because he gave us the faith to do so.
Not born of blood means that just because someone's parents are Christians doesn't mean they automatically are. The Greek word translated "flesh" is a word that is often associated with the flesh nature and the sin that comes along with it. It can also mean the physical body, as opposed to the spirit. So, it is apart from our own fleshly desires that we are saved as God's children. It could also imply that it is outside of our own work in the flesh. Not by man's will means nearly the same thing. Even the desire to be a child of God does not come from man. We have to be "encouraged" by the Holy Spirit so to speak.
The fact that God chose us not on merit, but just because he could is encouraging. It means that our salvation is secure. Nothing we did got us salvation, and nothing we do will take it away. I know I probably say all this a lot, but I guess I feel it's important. It's also important to note once again with this what Paul says:
Rom 6:1-2
1 What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace might increase?2 May it never be! How shall we who died to sin still live in it?(NAS)
The question is, how to balance eternal security with the need to stop sinning. From Romans 6:2, it seems that being saved from the slavery of sin, we wouldn't want to continue in it. This doesn't mean we'll never sin (on the contrary, in 1 John it says that anyone who claims to be without sin is not a true Christian), but it does mean that the pattern of sin in a believer's life should be less and less as spiritual growth takes place. We should continually be aiming for further Christlikeness.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
He Must Increase
John 3:26-30
26 And they came to John and said to him, "Rabbi, He who was with you beyond the Jordan, to whom you have borne witness, behold, He is baptizing, and all are coming to Him."
27 John answered and said, "A man can receive nothing, unless it has been given him from heaven.
28 "You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, 'I am not the Christ,' but, 'I have been sent before Him.'
29 "He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom's voice. And so this joy of mine has been made full.
30 "He must increase, but I must decrease.
(NAS)
This passage is at the tail end of John the Baptist’s ministry. Many of the crowds that were coming to John to be baptized were now going to Jesus. Some of those around John approached him and in a way, they asked if John was jealous that the crowds had moved from John to Jesus.
John’s response is what every believer’s attitude, especially those in ministry of any kind, should be. Basically, “I’m not God, I’m just a servant, a messenger for Him. He’s the one that deserves the glory and it brings me joy to see His people coming to Him.” Verse 30 is the key. The attitude of the believer needs to be that Jesus is ever more important, and we continue to think of ourselves as less important.
26 And they came to John and said to him, "Rabbi, He who was with you beyond the Jordan, to whom you have borne witness, behold, He is baptizing, and all are coming to Him."
27 John answered and said, "A man can receive nothing, unless it has been given him from heaven.
28 "You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, 'I am not the Christ,' but, 'I have been sent before Him.'
29 "He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom's voice. And so this joy of mine has been made full.
30 "He must increase, but I must decrease.
(NAS)
This passage is at the tail end of John the Baptist’s ministry. Many of the crowds that were coming to John to be baptized were now going to Jesus. Some of those around John approached him and in a way, they asked if John was jealous that the crowds had moved from John to Jesus.
John’s response is what every believer’s attitude, especially those in ministry of any kind, should be. Basically, “I’m not God, I’m just a servant, a messenger for Him. He’s the one that deserves the glory and it brings me joy to see His people coming to Him.” Verse 30 is the key. The attitude of the believer needs to be that Jesus is ever more important, and we continue to think of ourselves as less important.
Friday, January 23, 2009
New Classes
I am now three weeks into winter quarter at SPSCC. My classes this quarter are a little bit lighter. I'm taking two music classes: a piano class and a voice class. I'm also taking CAD, or Computer Aided Drafting. My fourth class is principles of fitness, which is basically a class to tell me how out of shape I am and how much I have to do to be "in shape." Sounds fun, huh?
Being a couple weeks into it, I'd like to give a disclaimer on taking a voice class. If you don't like (or do like) speaking and singing in gibberish, doing lots of embarrassing vocal exercises, stretches, etc., you should take voice class because it will either very quickly help you get over any shyness that you have about making a fool of yourself and you will have a lot of fun. The flip side is, you could hate it, in which case you can drop the class. I really doubt there are many people that couldn't enjoy themselves at least a little bit making all those sounds that you get in trouble for making at the dinner table when you're 8, but to each his own. On top of everything else, if you can sing, you'll sing better, and if you can't, you just might learn how to. Definitely worthwhile.
Being a couple weeks into it, I'd like to give a disclaimer on taking a voice class. If you don't like (or do like) speaking and singing in gibberish, doing lots of embarrassing vocal exercises, stretches, etc., you should take voice class because it will either very quickly help you get over any shyness that you have about making a fool of yourself and you will have a lot of fun. The flip side is, you could hate it, in which case you can drop the class. I really doubt there are many people that couldn't enjoy themselves at least a little bit making all those sounds that you get in trouble for making at the dinner table when you're 8, but to each his own. On top of everything else, if you can sing, you'll sing better, and if you can't, you just might learn how to. Definitely worthwhile.
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Joy!
I Jn 1:1-4
1 What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we beheld and our hands handled, concerning the Word of Life--2 and the life was manifested, and we have seen and bear witness and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was manifested to us--3 what we have seen and heard we proclaim to you also, that you also may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ.4 And these things we write, so that our joy may be made complete.(NAS)
In the opening passage of 1 John, John explains the purpose for sending this letter. Later it gives reasons such as "that you might not sin." The book also warns of false teachers rising up from the church. But in the above verses, the purpose revealed is something that all Believers should be actively doing. We should be telling others what we have experienced concerning Jesus Christ in our lives. We should share Him with others.
Through this, we can share the best fellowship with those we witness to, the common Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. It also says that by sharing Jesus with others and even by teaching other believers, "our joy," the disciples' joy, is made complete. Sharing with others not only brings them into fellowship with God, but also brings us joy.
1 What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we beheld and our hands handled, concerning the Word of Life--2 and the life was manifested, and we have seen and bear witness and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was manifested to us--3 what we have seen and heard we proclaim to you also, that you also may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ.4 And these things we write, so that our joy may be made complete.(NAS)
In the opening passage of 1 John, John explains the purpose for sending this letter. Later it gives reasons such as "that you might not sin." The book also warns of false teachers rising up from the church. But in the above verses, the purpose revealed is something that all Believers should be actively doing. We should be telling others what we have experienced concerning Jesus Christ in our lives. We should share Him with others.
Through this, we can share the best fellowship with those we witness to, the common Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. It also says that by sharing Jesus with others and even by teaching other believers, "our joy," the disciples' joy, is made complete. Sharing with others not only brings them into fellowship with God, but also brings us joy.
Monday, December 22, 2008
God's Providence
Isa 10:15-16
15 Is the axe to boast itself over the one who chops with it? Is the saw to exalt itself over the one who wields it? {That would be} like a club wielding those who lift it, {or} like a rod lifting {him who} is not wood.16 Therefore the Lord, the GOD of hosts, will send a wasting disease among his stout warriors; and under his glory a fire will be kindled like a burning flame.(NAS)
This verse is an excellent example of God's divine providence. The passage is referring to the Assyrians. The Assyrians conquered Israel, and they thought of themselves rather highly for having done so. Their victory wouldn't last, however. As this verse shows, the Assyrians were just a piece of God's plan to discipline His people and bring glory to himself. The Assyrians would soon receive punishment of their own.
A more modern application of this absolute divine providence can be found in Romans.
Rom 8:28 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to {His} purpose.(NAS)
For Christians walking with God, or even for those who have temporarily strayed away from the path, everything is done for our good in the end. That includes but is not limited to: trials, tribulations, punishments, consequences, rewards, natural disasters around the world, wars, etc. Somehow in the end, all these things will work for God's glory and our good. That is definitely something to hope in.
15 Is the axe to boast itself over the one who chops with it? Is the saw to exalt itself over the one who wields it? {That would be} like a club wielding those who lift it, {or} like a rod lifting {him who} is not wood.16 Therefore the Lord, the GOD of hosts, will send a wasting disease among his stout warriors; and under his glory a fire will be kindled like a burning flame.(NAS)
This verse is an excellent example of God's divine providence. The passage is referring to the Assyrians. The Assyrians conquered Israel, and they thought of themselves rather highly for having done so. Their victory wouldn't last, however. As this verse shows, the Assyrians were just a piece of God's plan to discipline His people and bring glory to himself. The Assyrians would soon receive punishment of their own.
A more modern application of this absolute divine providence can be found in Romans.
Rom 8:28 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to {His} purpose.(NAS)
For Christians walking with God, or even for those who have temporarily strayed away from the path, everything is done for our good in the end. That includes but is not limited to: trials, tribulations, punishments, consequences, rewards, natural disasters around the world, wars, etc. Somehow in the end, all these things will work for God's glory and our good. That is definitely something to hope in.
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Snowed In
We currently have over a foot of snow at our house. Church was actually cancelled because of the snow today. We're snowed in for sure now. Yesterday, it seems we got home from getting our Christmas tree just in time. When we got home, enough snow had accumulated in our driveway for the truck to do a little sledding during the parking job. That was exciting. After we slid sideways 3 or 4 feet, my dad decided he didn't need to park all the way up by the shed. He settled for the other parking space.
We got a Christmas tree yesterday. It was a really nice noble fir. It smelled amazing and it was nice and fluffy (you can tell I'm not used to having a real Christmas tree). We got it into the house and on its stand today (yes, I know that Christmas is this Wednesday. don't worry, it gets better!). It turns out, the tree and my dad's sinuses don't agree too well. Now the tree is out on our front porch.... yeah. Tomorrow, the fake Christmas tree is coming into the house, and we are GOING TO DECORATE IT! I'll be thankful now if Christmas decorations are up by Christmas Eve. Oh well, I suppose the true point of Christmas isn't gonna be hurt if our tree is up a little late. And, even though I'm terribly disappointed about the beautiful noble fir sitting on our front porch, I'd rather have a plastic Christmas tree and have my dad's head NOT explode from sinus pressure than have a real tree and...... you get the point.
There is a bright side! I have miniature Christmas decorations up in my room. There are a couple little figurines, some mice in a shoe wearing santa hats and santa on a tree swing. The best part is my little tree. It's a.... yes, it's fake.... it's about a foot tall, and it comes complete with a little beaded garland and some little tiny ornaments. It even has lights! err, well.... okay. The lights broke. So, there are no longer little red flashing L.E.D.s wrapped around my little tree. At least I have a tree.
We got a Christmas tree yesterday. It was a really nice noble fir. It smelled amazing and it was nice and fluffy (you can tell I'm not used to having a real Christmas tree). We got it into the house and on its stand today (yes, I know that Christmas is this Wednesday. don't worry, it gets better!). It turns out, the tree and my dad's sinuses don't agree too well. Now the tree is out on our front porch.... yeah. Tomorrow, the fake Christmas tree is coming into the house, and we are GOING TO DECORATE IT! I'll be thankful now if Christmas decorations are up by Christmas Eve. Oh well, I suppose the true point of Christmas isn't gonna be hurt if our tree is up a little late. And, even though I'm terribly disappointed about the beautiful noble fir sitting on our front porch, I'd rather have a plastic Christmas tree and have my dad's head NOT explode from sinus pressure than have a real tree and...... you get the point.
There is a bright side! I have miniature Christmas decorations up in my room. There are a couple little figurines, some mice in a shoe wearing santa hats and santa on a tree swing. The best part is my little tree. It's a.... yes, it's fake.... it's about a foot tall, and it comes complete with a little beaded garland and some little tiny ornaments. It even has lights! err, well.... okay. The lights broke. So, there are no longer little red flashing L.E.D.s wrapped around my little tree. At least I have a tree.
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