Yeah, it's been a while since I last posted due to a hurricane and a crazy life after the storm. We had a hurricane come through our area on September 14th and pretty much put Houston into a very chaotic state. For the first week of this chaos, my family left and went to stay with my brother who lives in Denton, TX (north of Dallas). On the Sunday that we left to come back to Houston, I went to the church that my brother and his wife go to called The Village. It is a very cool, hip, young church. But that isn't all. This church is so involved in its community and the pastor of the church has such a heart for people and it is contagious! Every time I go there I am refreshed and have a vigor to be more Christlike in my life in the things that I do and say. This last time that I was there though, God pretty much devastated me with the message that was brought by the campus pastor. The message was extremely convicting (in a good way) and the songs that were sung were very uplifting and pressed us to grow more in Christ. One of the songs that was played was a song by Chris Tomlin called "God of this City" (I have to insert here that the song was originally written by Bluetree, but I first heard it and have only heard it played by Chris Tomlin). God pretty much plagued me with this song while I was driving back to Houston that day. I was thinking about the church that I had just come from and the message of that song and how that church exemplified so well the lyrics of that song.
God plagued me with this thought the whole entire drive home from Denton to Houston (which is just short of 5 hours if you follow my dad): Why haven't you thought of Me as God of your city Brandon? OUCH!!!!! The reason I say this is because I completely understand the sovereignty of God and that He ultimately rules the whole entire universe. The thing that I have erred in so much is not taking that fact and zooming it in on a specific place. I think it is a comfort issue. You know, like, God is the God of this whole entire universe and He is huge!! That I can be comfortable with but it is when you say that because God is God of this entire universe, He is the God of this country, this state, this county, this city, this household, this (your) life, that it becomes uncomfortable to me in my life. My perspective is so messed up. It is as if I don't want God to be God of this city, making it more and more personal as we get from the universe to a specific place. I have never thought of it like that either. So God totally ruined me with that question, but then He completely uplifted me with the exact same lyrics that He ruined me with. It was such an amazing moment! In the same breath that He asked me the ruining question, He gave me this uplifting pep rally: because I am God of your city, you and all the others that are Mine can do this (You will understand the "this" when I put the lyrics up, so bear with me for a second)!
This brought on an onslaught of thoughts that propelled me to want to scream at the top of my lungs! We can do this! We can be the people God has called us to be. We can make an impact on the people in our city that Christ had on the people He was around. We can grow in Christ in our personal walk and lead others into that walk. We can live with all of the immorality that surrounds us with the knowledge that God is the God of this city! And we can do all of this because God is the God of THIS city! He is the God of THIS life. He has ulimate reign in THIS city! We as Christians perceive Satan to have an incredible power in the lives of the people around us, and he does, but God has much more power! I mean, He is God right? He has already overthrown Satan! He is way more powerful than Satan. He rules over Satan and this is not Satan's city, this is God's city! He rules over this city! May His will be done here in this place and may we (may I especially) be the people He has called us to be. People who love mercy, live justly, and walk humbly before our God (Micah 6:8).
Read the words of this song and may they soak into your soul and propell you:
You're the God of this city
You're the God of these people
You're the Lord of this nation
You are
You're the light in this darkness
You're the hope to the hopeless
You're the peace to the restless
You are
There is no one like our God
There is no one like our God
For greater things have yet to come
And greater things are still to be done in this city
For greater things have yet to come
And greater things are still to be done here
We believe, we believe in You, God
What some awesome lyrics! We can do this fellow Christians! There are greater things to be done in our cities, in our lives and God has the power to do this! As we think globally, lets not forget the local part of our lives and how God is able to work in the lives that are immediately around us! Father, help me to remember this. Forgive me for the times that I have not kept this perspective. Return to me the joy of Your salvation!
Tuesday, October 14
Saturday, September 6
Did God seriously just call me stupid??
I love it when the Bible smacks you right in the face and leaves you bewildered. It's like a fresh beating. You know it hurt, but somehow feels good to realize that you are human and brings you back to reality. Now for the punch in the face:
Proverbs 12:1
"Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid."
Alright, maybe I should explain the background of Proverbs for a second to make this a little more understandable. In the first couple of chapters we understand that the book of Proverbs is a book of wise sayings that were used by the wisest king of all time, Solomon. These proverbs are wise sayings and as we can see multiple times in the first couple of chapters, wisdom comes from God (or rather, godly wisdom comes from God... isn't that kind of expected? Duh...). We also learn that the people that Solomon is talking to are his own sons. See, back in history, fathers of families took their sons to teach them about life (strange thing to us, I know...) and the fathers were careful in the things that they taught their sons. If you were a Jew, you better teach your sons about Yahweh and what He has done for the nation of Israel and teach them His commandments. Solomon pretty much takes the commandments and puts flesh on them with a lot of his proverbs. So, this is what most of Proverbs is all about. In this particular passage, Solomon is explaining the difference between the righteous and the wicked by comparing and contrasting them. He does this for several chapters.
This verse has so much implication, but what I want to focus on is the last part of the verse... the one who hates reproof is stupid. Amazing! Reproof is showing someone when they are wrong, whether in their knowledge or in their actions. No one is perfect and absolutely no one has perfect knowledge. Therefore, the person that despises being told they are wrong and will not listen to others that actually know better is stupid. That's right, I said it because God said it through Solomon. You are stupid if you don't listen to someone's instruction when they know you are wrong in what you either believe or wrong in your actions. This is so politically incorrect and I could get many "hate comments" on this post, but I can't escape the truth of this proverb. I don't exclude myself from this label either. There have been many times that I thought I was right in what I was doing and didn't listen to another person's instruction (or better yet, God's instruction). So, God effectively just deemed me stupid (at least in times past when I didn't listen to wisdom). Beautiful....
Proverbs 12:1
"Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid."
Alright, maybe I should explain the background of Proverbs for a second to make this a little more understandable. In the first couple of chapters we understand that the book of Proverbs is a book of wise sayings that were used by the wisest king of all time, Solomon. These proverbs are wise sayings and as we can see multiple times in the first couple of chapters, wisdom comes from God (or rather, godly wisdom comes from God... isn't that kind of expected? Duh...). We also learn that the people that Solomon is talking to are his own sons. See, back in history, fathers of families took their sons to teach them about life (strange thing to us, I know...) and the fathers were careful in the things that they taught their sons. If you were a Jew, you better teach your sons about Yahweh and what He has done for the nation of Israel and teach them His commandments. Solomon pretty much takes the commandments and puts flesh on them with a lot of his proverbs. So, this is what most of Proverbs is all about. In this particular passage, Solomon is explaining the difference between the righteous and the wicked by comparing and contrasting them. He does this for several chapters.
This verse has so much implication, but what I want to focus on is the last part of the verse... the one who hates reproof is stupid. Amazing! Reproof is showing someone when they are wrong, whether in their knowledge or in their actions. No one is perfect and absolutely no one has perfect knowledge. Therefore, the person that despises being told they are wrong and will not listen to others that actually know better is stupid. That's right, I said it because God said it through Solomon. You are stupid if you don't listen to someone's instruction when they know you are wrong in what you either believe or wrong in your actions. This is so politically incorrect and I could get many "hate comments" on this post, but I can't escape the truth of this proverb. I don't exclude myself from this label either. There have been many times that I thought I was right in what I was doing and didn't listen to another person's instruction (or better yet, God's instruction). So, God effectively just deemed me stupid (at least in times past when I didn't listen to wisdom). Beautiful....
Sunday, August 24
Hate evil?
So, for a Christian to hate evil is a pretty standard thing... So why the question mark in the title? Well, it all has to do with the reality of one verse that has struck me hard ever since I read it and God opened my eyes to it. That verse is Psalm 97:10. It's pretty convicting... Here, let me quote it: "Hate evil, you who love the LORD, Who preserves the souls of His godly ones..."
Right, I completely understand this is not a shocking verse and what some critics and skeptics would call a pretty common quote from Scripture. But there is a massive reality to this simple verse. Hate evil... for the Christian, this is not just a good idea or something to think about, this is straight up a command! Now it is extremely simple to hate other evil people and to hate evil actions in this world, such as war and murder and adultery, etc. Even the person that has no religious belief can hate evil, this is not a foundation-shaking declaration.
Except when you apply the command to something deeper and more personal. But first of all, look at who God tells to hate evil. Those who love the LORD. Those Christians who absolutely love God with all their mind, soul, strength, and heart. Notice it is also talking about Yahweh. This is Almighty God, Creator of heaven and earth, the Giver of life, the Provider... Plus, check out what He does for us.... He preserves those who love Him. He preserves His godly ones! This is astounding because all we know in life are people who are flakey and have no power to preserve anyone. But God is able! This is Who we are getting the command to hate evil from...
Now for the heart-wrenching truth... Hate evil. This is not just an evil that is caused by other people or that is in others. This also means to hate your own evil ways! Yes, there are things that we do in life that, in God's eyes, are straight up evil. Even as Chrsitans, we mess up and sin and God sees our sin as completely wicked. Sure, we might not think so much of them, but God has a much greater perspective. Of course, He is love and His grace and mercy extend much further than some allow, but God is also a just Being and One who despises evil. He commands us through the psalmist to despise the things that we do that are completely against Him! Why does the psalmist come to this conclusion? You must read the first 9 verses to understand how he gets here. It is a simple meditation on the greatness of God that pierces the psalmist with this truth. Let's look at the first 9 verses and look at the meditation of the psalmist on our Almighty God!
Psalm 97:1-9
"The LORD reigns, let the earth rejoice; let the many islands be glad. Clouds and thick darkness surround Him; righteousness and justice are the foundation of His throne. Fire goes before Him and burns up His adversaries round about. His lightnings lit up the world; the eart saw and trembled. The mountains melted like wax at the presence of the LORD, at the presence of the LORD of the whole earth. The heavens declare His righteousness, and all the peoples have seen His glory. Let all those be ashamed who serve graven images, who boast themselves of idols; worship Him, all you gods. Zion heard this and was glad, and the daughters of Judah have rejoiced because of Your judgments, O LORD. For You are the LORD Most High over all the earth; You are exalted far above all gods."
Awesome! Just such a staggering exclamation point on the greatness of our God! Because of this, because of His righteousness, His reign, justice, His judgments, His works, His true Godness (not just an idol), we are to hate evil. Even the things that we do that are evil. This is sobering. This makes me cringe at the things that I still do that are evil in God's sight. I am supposed to hate my own actions at times when they are wicked!
Lord, help me. I do thank You Father for Your grace and mercy that You extend every day, but please help me to hate the evil that is in my heart when I don't submit to Your will. Forgive me Father and clean me from the inside out. Allow me to practice Micah 6:8, "He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?"
Right, I completely understand this is not a shocking verse and what some critics and skeptics would call a pretty common quote from Scripture. But there is a massive reality to this simple verse. Hate evil... for the Christian, this is not just a good idea or something to think about, this is straight up a command! Now it is extremely simple to hate other evil people and to hate evil actions in this world, such as war and murder and adultery, etc. Even the person that has no religious belief can hate evil, this is not a foundation-shaking declaration.
Except when you apply the command to something deeper and more personal. But first of all, look at who God tells to hate evil. Those who love the LORD. Those Christians who absolutely love God with all their mind, soul, strength, and heart. Notice it is also talking about Yahweh. This is Almighty God, Creator of heaven and earth, the Giver of life, the Provider... Plus, check out what He does for us.... He preserves those who love Him. He preserves His godly ones! This is astounding because all we know in life are people who are flakey and have no power to preserve anyone. But God is able! This is Who we are getting the command to hate evil from...
Now for the heart-wrenching truth... Hate evil. This is not just an evil that is caused by other people or that is in others. This also means to hate your own evil ways! Yes, there are things that we do in life that, in God's eyes, are straight up evil. Even as Chrsitans, we mess up and sin and God sees our sin as completely wicked. Sure, we might not think so much of them, but God has a much greater perspective. Of course, He is love and His grace and mercy extend much further than some allow, but God is also a just Being and One who despises evil. He commands us through the psalmist to despise the things that we do that are completely against Him! Why does the psalmist come to this conclusion? You must read the first 9 verses to understand how he gets here. It is a simple meditation on the greatness of God that pierces the psalmist with this truth. Let's look at the first 9 verses and look at the meditation of the psalmist on our Almighty God!
Psalm 97:1-9
"The LORD reigns, let the earth rejoice; let the many islands be glad. Clouds and thick darkness surround Him; righteousness and justice are the foundation of His throne. Fire goes before Him and burns up His adversaries round about. His lightnings lit up the world; the eart saw and trembled. The mountains melted like wax at the presence of the LORD, at the presence of the LORD of the whole earth. The heavens declare His righteousness, and all the peoples have seen His glory. Let all those be ashamed who serve graven images, who boast themselves of idols; worship Him, all you gods. Zion heard this and was glad, and the daughters of Judah have rejoiced because of Your judgments, O LORD. For You are the LORD Most High over all the earth; You are exalted far above all gods."
Awesome! Just such a staggering exclamation point on the greatness of our God! Because of this, because of His righteousness, His reign, justice, His judgments, His works, His true Godness (not just an idol), we are to hate evil. Even the things that we do that are evil. This is sobering. This makes me cringe at the things that I still do that are evil in God's sight. I am supposed to hate my own actions at times when they are wicked!
Lord, help me. I do thank You Father for Your grace and mercy that You extend every day, but please help me to hate the evil that is in my heart when I don't submit to Your will. Forgive me Father and clean me from the inside out. Allow me to practice Micah 6:8, "He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?"
Saturday, August 9
What did Jesus leave us here to do?
Yeah, I know. I created this blog spot, but I haven't even started on it yet. I am truly trying to wait until I'm completely finished with College to start blogging on this thing because I will then have enough time to write and think of something other than school work.
Real quick, I wanted to type something that has kind of been on my mind since I have just read a book on church perspectives. There was a minister and an atheist that went around the country visiting churches and they wrote a book together documenting their conversations on what the atheist's honest opinions of the churches that they visited were. The title of the book is Jim (the minister) and Casper (the atheist) Go to Church. After visiting one of the big churches of America that pretty much put on a show for anyone who is there, the atheist says this amazingly convicting statement. Casper turns to Jim and says, "Is this what Jesus left you guys here to do?"
Just think about this. What did Jesus leave us here to do? Was it to have church and edify ourselves, or was Jesus' intention for Christians to actually live like Him and care for people and help people? I believe that the church is absoluetely necessary. God has established it along with Government and the biological family. However, if that is all we are doing, I, like Jim, believe that we as Christ's followers have missed the mark. I think that if Jesus came back to this earth right now and went to the big churches and even little churches in America, He would be pretty upset. There are the churches that are having tremendous impacts on their community through unique opportunities and Jim and Casper visit a few of these churches, but the majority of our churches in this country are not. We need to be out in our community way more than we are. We need to develop relationships with those that don't believe in Jesus because of our true care and concern for them and desire to actually make relationships with them. Remember this, people that don't believe in Jesus are not our enemies, Satan is our enemy and he has already been defeated.
I want to make a disclaimer about this book. The book doesn't focus on what the churches do during the week, but rather what happens on Sunday morning or Saturday night, when they have church services. Also, this is not a scientific book, but a book on perspectives on how the church looks to unbelievers and Jim and Casper admit this. However, the book is very enlightening to what unbelievers may think of our churches when they visit, which is normally on Saturday nights or Sundays.
So, what did Jesus leave us here to do?
Real quick, I wanted to type something that has kind of been on my mind since I have just read a book on church perspectives. There was a minister and an atheist that went around the country visiting churches and they wrote a book together documenting their conversations on what the atheist's honest opinions of the churches that they visited were. The title of the book is Jim (the minister) and Casper (the atheist) Go to Church. After visiting one of the big churches of America that pretty much put on a show for anyone who is there, the atheist says this amazingly convicting statement. Casper turns to Jim and says, "Is this what Jesus left you guys here to do?"
Just think about this. What did Jesus leave us here to do? Was it to have church and edify ourselves, or was Jesus' intention for Christians to actually live like Him and care for people and help people? I believe that the church is absoluetely necessary. God has established it along with Government and the biological family. However, if that is all we are doing, I, like Jim, believe that we as Christ's followers have missed the mark. I think that if Jesus came back to this earth right now and went to the big churches and even little churches in America, He would be pretty upset. There are the churches that are having tremendous impacts on their community through unique opportunities and Jim and Casper visit a few of these churches, but the majority of our churches in this country are not. We need to be out in our community way more than we are. We need to develop relationships with those that don't believe in Jesus because of our true care and concern for them and desire to actually make relationships with them. Remember this, people that don't believe in Jesus are not our enemies, Satan is our enemy and he has already been defeated.
I want to make a disclaimer about this book. The book doesn't focus on what the churches do during the week, but rather what happens on Sunday morning or Saturday night, when they have church services. Also, this is not a scientific book, but a book on perspectives on how the church looks to unbelievers and Jim and Casper admit this. However, the book is very enlightening to what unbelievers may think of our churches when they visit, which is normally on Saturday nights or Sundays.
So, what did Jesus leave us here to do?
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