Heidelberg Catechism Devotional Q9

Q.9. But doesn’t God do us an injustice by requiring in his law what we are unable to do?

Aš. No, God created humans with the ability to keep the law.  They, however, tempted by the devil, in reckless disobedience robbed themselves and all their descendants of these gifts.

Monday

It is hard to imagine humanity capable of keeping God’s law, especially since we have never seen it firsthand, but it is true, that is how we were created.  After probing many thoughts, the writer of Ecclesiastes affirms man’s created ability.  Read Ecclesiastes 7:29.  Adam and Eve were created good, in God’s image and in this verse “upright” is used to describe mankind.  These all imply that obedience to God’s law was a real option for humanity.  Read Genesis 1:31.

Hayek versus Keynes - Financial Theory Rap

For those wanting to learn or understand the two opposing economic theories.  Here is a great 7 min video from you tube.  you can see it here.

Christian Parenting - Meditating on Scripture

The formation of our spiritual life and the life of our children and grandchildren is of great concern to many parents.  This is admirable.  But how can we help to shape ourselves and our children with habits, skills and ways of life that will benefit each person during their lifetime?  One of the disciplines that is beneficial is Meditation.

Meditation is part of a set of disciplines related to the Word of God.  For those unfamiliar with mediation as a discipline, let me compare it to eating a tasty meal.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer on Personal Devotions

The Word of Scripture should never stop sounding in your ears ad working in you all day long, just like the words of someone you love.  And just as you do not analyze the words of someone you love, but accept them as they are said to you, accept the Word of Scripture and ponder it in your heart, as Mary did.  That is all...Do not ask, 'How shall I pass this one?' but "What does it say to me?'  Then ponder this word long in your heart until it has gone right into you and taken possession of you.
 - Life Together

Where's Jesus? Jacob wrestles with God (Genesis 32:22-32)

I have often wondered what to make of Jacob's wrestling match with God.  Specifically, what the story has to do with me.  God's words, "You have struggled with God and with men and have overcome" in Genesis 32:28 stick with me.  Can I struggle with God and win? That is what many would like to believe.  But, as I have been re-reading Genesis and studying it with my small group, I have been asking a new question and this new question is helping me to understand old passages in new ways.

True or False Gospel? - Galatians 1:6-12

In the summer of 1780 when British Major John André was captured, the American people were amazed, astonished and disappointed.  You see Major John André carried papers that implicated Benedict Arnold in a conspiracy to hand over West Point to the British.  Late in 1779 after a few years of fighting against the British, as an American Revolutionary General, Arnold had a change of mind and deserted to other side.  General George Washington later remarked of Arnold that he was “villainous, misguide and completely evil.”[1]

What you may ask does this have to do with Paul and the Galatians?  Much I say.  In Galatians 1:6 after introducing himself and presenting a short description of the gospel – Christ died for our sins, Christ rescued us from this evil age, and Christ was raised from the dead – Paul makes this startling statement to fellow believers: I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel (Gal 1:6).

Heidelberg Catechism Devotional Q7 & Q8

Q.7. Then where does this corrupt human nature come from? 

Aš From the fall and disobedience of our first parents, Adam and Eve in paradise.  This fall has so poisoned our nature that we are born sinners – corrupt from conception on.

Q.8. But are we so corrupt that we are totally unable to do any good and inclined toward all evil?

Aš Yes, unless we are born again, by the Spirit of God.

Monday

If we were created good and in God’s own image, then it is natural to ask, “What happened? How did we become sinful?”  The short answer is Adam and Eve disobeyed God.  Read Genesis 3.  Genesis records humanity’s creation and fall into sin.  When Adam and Eve chose to believe the serpent over God, corruption entered the world.  Sin entered the world, for sin is not only doing bad things, but more importantly sin is failing to believe God and his word.  By refusing to believe God, Adam and Eve plunged all of humanity into sin.  Our corrupt nature comes from our first parents, Adam and Eve.

The Discipline of the Lord

I am preparing for a sermon on the love of God and how love involves discipline.  I thought these Scriptures might serve some others as well, both parents with their children and christians in their walk with God.

Deut. 4:36 From heaven he made you hear his voice to discipline you. On earth he showed you his great fire, and you heard his words from out of the fire.

Deut. 11:2 Remember today that your children were not the ones who saw and experienced the discipline of the LORD your God: his majesty, his mighty hand, his outstretched arm;

Deut. 21:18 ¶ If a man has a stubborn and rebellious son who does not obey his father and mother and will not listen to them when they discipline him,

Job 5:17 “Blessed is the man whom God corrects; so do not despise the discipline of the Almighty.

Psa. 6:1 ¶ O LORD, do not rebuke me in your anger or discipline me in your wrath.

Psa. 38:1 ¶ O LORD, do not rebuke me in your anger or discipline me in your wrath.

Psa. 39:11 You rebuke and discipline men for their sin; you consume their wealth like a moth — each man is but a breath. Selah

Psa. 94:12 Blessed is the man you discipline, O LORD, the man you teach from your law;

Prov. 1:2 for attaining wisdom and discipline; for understanding words of insight;

Prov. 1:7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.

Prov. 3:11 My son, do not despise the LORD’s discipline and do not resent his rebuke,

Prov. 5:12 You will say, “How I hated discipline! How my heart spurned correction!

Prov. 5:23 He will die for lack of discipline, led astray by his own great folly.

Prov. 6:23 For these commands are a lamp, this teaching is a light, and the corrections of discipline are the way to life,

Prov. 10:17 He who heeds discipline shows the way to life, but whoever ignores correction leads others astray.

Prov. 12:1 ¶ Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates correction is stupid.

Prov. 13:18 He who ignores discipline comes to poverty and shame, but whoever heeds correction is honored.

Prov. 13:24 He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is careful to discipline him.

Prov. 15:5 A fool spurns his father’s discipline, but whoever heeds correction shows prudence.

Prov. 15:10 Stern discipline awaits him who leaves the path; he who hates correction will die.

Prov. 15:32 He who ignores discipline despises himself, but whoever heeds correction gains understanding.

Prov. 19:18 Discipline your son, for in that there is hope; do not be a willing party to his death.

Prov. 22:15 Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline will drive it far from him.

Prov. 23:13 Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you punish him with the rod, he will not die.

Prov. 23:23 Buy the truth and do not sell it; get wisdom, discipline and understanding.

Prov. 29:17 Discipline your son, and he will give you peace; he will bring delight to your soul.

Jer. 17:23 Yet they did not listen or pay attention; they were stiff-necked and would not listen or respond to discipline.

Jer. 30:11 I am with you and will save you,’ declares the LORD. ‘Though I completely destroy all the nations among which I scatter you, I will not completely destroy you. I will discipline you but only with justice; I will not let you go entirely unpunished.’

Jer. 32:33 They turned their backs to me and not their faces; though I taught them again and again, they would not listen or respond to discipline.

Jer. 46:28 Do not fear, O Jacob my servant, for I am with you,” declares the LORD. “Though I completely destroy all the nations among which I scatter you, I will not completely destroy you. I will discipline you but only with justice; I will not let you go entirely unpunished.”

Hos. 5:2 The rebels are deep in slaughter. I will discipline all of them.

Heb. 12:5 And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons: “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you,

Heb. 12:7 ¶ Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father?

Heb. 12:8 If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons.

Heb. 12:11 No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

Rev. 3:19 ¶ Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent.

8 Ways to Help the Children Love Different People

This is from one of the blogs I read.  A really great post, and a reminder to all of us that teaching our children about God and his power and authority are truly life changing and people changing.

8 Ways to Help the Children Love Different People

Christian Parenting - Praying the Examen

Prayer is so multi-faceted.  It is like a diamond with many sides.  Maybe teaching your children to pray the psalms isn't what your family needs currently, but maybe praying the examen is.  What is the Examen?  The Examen is a form of prayer that Ignatius of Loyola popularized in his Spiritual Exercises.  But its roots are much deeper than Ignatius.  It comes from the Scriptural words,

Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.  See if there is any offensive way in me and lead me in the way everlasting. --Psalms 139:23-24

When we pray the examen we are engaging in a prayer of reflection and listening as God sifts through our life.  God alone has the power to search our hearts and minds.  God alone knows the deep things inside a person.  He alone is aware of our true motivations and desires.  It is easy to think we can know these things, but the 'heart is deceitful above all things' (Jeremiah 17:9).

False Teachers and Military Supply Lines

For those who follow news, the last few days have posted a number of articles, blogs, etc. on the Trijicon sights the military is using on their rifles in the various conflict zones. Turns out the Trijicon company puts verses like these on their scopes:

“When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”” (John 8:12 NIV)

“For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.” (2 Corinthians 4:6 NIV)

“And we have the word of the prophets made more certain, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.” (2 Peter 1:19 NIV)

There are others and no one has compiled a complete list of all the references, but this can be nothing short of false teaching at its apex. Since when does a scope carry Jesus implications? It doesn't. Yet again, those without strong foundations in Christology and a true relationship with Jesus Christ have hijacked the word and defamed the name of Christ. If you want to make a weapon, fine. But don't brand it with Scripture verses related to Jesus, the savior of the world and compare your product to the risen Lord.

All Christians would de well to pay attention to their hermeneutics and ensure that they are Christ exalting and honoring, not slick gimmicks to make a buck or worse, deceive gullible souls.

Where's Jesus? the story of Jacob meeting Esau (Genesis 32:1-21)

Jacob sends alot of cattle and livestock to his brother Esau before he meets him.  His reason is summed up in verse 20:

I will pacify him with these gifts I am sending on ahead; later, when I see him, perhaps he will receive me.

Isn't that so like Christ, doesn't he send each person much blessing in life desiring for him or her to recognize that all these gifts are in the hope of establishing a peaceful relationship.  This is known as the doctrine of common grace.

Christianity-New Age dialogue #6

On Jan 10, 2010, Josh wrote:

Thank you, prayer is one of the most important aspects of my spirituality. I have noticed that prayer is unimportant to many Christians, but there are a great many who hold it very close. I tried to keep that message short, so I did not go into it in detail, hopefully this will help.

The first time I was hospitalized, I was having an incredible experience with God as well as having a psychological break down, or perhaps experiencing part of God through a psychological break. It was as if I was experiencing everything for the first time, music had a new vividness and meaning. I was in a new state of consciousness that I had never been in before. I felt like I was communicating with God, but in many ways I was not.

The Gospel Nugget - Galatians 1:1-5

In August 1896, Skookum Jim, George Carmack and Dawson Charlie discovered gold in the Yukon.  Their find set off what would become known as the Klondike Gold Rush which drew thousands of men into the Yukon and Alaskan territories in a few short years.  This small find caused teachers, doctors, lawyers, even the mayor of Seattle to abandon their professions and head for gold, in the hopes of making a new life.  After making their way to Alaska, most had to hike over the White Pass or the Chilkoot trail (100 miles) and then build a raft to float the next 500 miles before they reached the gold fields. Most arrived penniless and having spent their entire life’s savings.  Such was the lure of the gold nugget: gold seekers fought each other, killed one another, cheated and lied in an effort to protect their claim, or take another’s.  All for a gold nugget.

But there is a different kind of nugget in the Scriptures.

Heidelberg Catechism Devotional Q6

Q.6. Did God create people so wicked and perverse? 

Aš. No. God created them good and in his own image,

that is, in true righteousness and holiness, so that they might

                        Truly know God their creator,

                        Love him with all their heart,

                        And live with him in eternal happiness for his praise and glory.

Monday

In the first chapter of Genesis we read about the creation of the universe.  In this opening narrative God calls the light good.  He calls the separation of the water good.  He also calls the vegetation, the lights in the sky, the fish of the seas, the birds of the aid and the creatures of the land good.  In fact everything God created was good, humanity included.  For in God’s final statement after creating everything, he says, “it was very good.”  People were created as part of God’s very good universe.  Humanity wasn’t originally wicked or perverse, quite the contrary, we were very good.  Read Genesis 1:31.

Christian Parenting - Praying the Psalms

Have you struggled with how to teach your children about prayer and how to pray?  I have.  All Christians want their children to have vibrant prayer lives.  We want them to talk with God, hear from God and express their emotions to God but we are uncomfortable when our children are angry and pray with angry words.  What is a parent to do?

Turn to the Psalms.  There are 150 prayers God's people in the Psalms and they cover every possible human emotion in a way that brings glory to God.  There are prayers seeking God's judgment, prayers of thanksgiving; and prayers looking forward to the coming of Jesus.  There are psalms that begin with pain and end with joy, and vice versa.  Prayers of desperation and of confidence, joy and sorrow can all be found.  Even prayers that ask "where are you God?"  The psalms can teach us to teach our children to pray by studying them with our kids and helping them to see the progressions which occur.

Where's Jesus? the story of Jacob fleeing from Laban (Genesis 31:1-55)

There are three places where the story of Jacob fleeing from Laban gives pause for reflecting on the ministry of Jesus Christ.  First, Jacob's treatment by Laban was hard and deceitful.  Some have argued that he deserved it for his earlier treatment of Esau.  Maybe, maybe not.  But the truth of the situation, from Jacob's own mouth, is "God has not allowed [Laban] to harm me" (v.7b).  So it is for the Christian, our arch enemy roams around seeking whom he may devour (1Peter 5:8) and many evil people plot harm for the follower of God, but Jesus secures his people from all the deceitful schemes of the devil and his minions.  In fact, Rom. 8:28  tells us

Galatians - An Overview

We are entering in to a New Year, and this year we will be spending a significant amount of time in Paul’s Epistle to the Galatians.  Since this will be our first week in what Martin Luther called, “my epistle. To it I am as it were in wedlock. It is my Katherine.”[1]  It seemed wise to me that we review the entire contents of the book today.  In the hope, that we will get a bird’s eye picture of the epistle Luther spoke of with such endearing terms, even comparing it to his beloved wife. 

Heidelberg Catechism Devotional Q5

Q.5. Can you live up to all this perfectly?

Aš No. I have a natural tendency to hate God and my neighbor.

Monday

Perfection is a tricky thing.  Some of us struggle with the need to be perfect more than others, but none of us can ever perfectly love God and our neighbor.  Our sin always seems to get in the way – one time it may be our pride.  Another time it is our selfishness.  Either way, sin always rears its head and keeps us from living up to God’s law. God is the only one who is perfect.  Read 2 Samuel 22:31-34.  God is perfect and the one who alone can make us perfect.  David understood this, which is why he said; “It is God who makes my way perfect.” 

Christian Parenting - Teaching our Children to Fast

Fasting.  What is it and why would I want to teach my children to fast?  Fasting has a long history in the Bible.  Let me rehearse a little bit of it:  Moses before receiving the 10 commandments (Exodus 24:18), David praying for his child (2Samuel 12:16), Elijah for 40 days (1Kings 19:8), and Christ in the Desert (Matthew 4:2).  Furthermore, all Israel was called to fast on the day of Atonement in Leviticus 23:26-32.  Literally they are "to deny" themselves, everything in life is to be removed in order to focus upon God and the offering for sin that is being made.

Where's Jesus? the story of Moses striking the rock, again (Numbers 20:10-12)

Do you remember the Where's Waldo books?  On each and every page, Waldo is hidden in the picture.  Such is the case with the Scriptures. In each and every story, Jesus is present, either literally or in a prefigured state.  Such is the case with our text today.  Kerry Hasenbalg does an excellent job of showing us Jesus both in the striking of the rock and how that relates to our calling today.  I will quote from her devotional Hope for the Journey- an adoption companion, pg 15:

The Misery of Man – incurably Syncretistic (2 Kings 17:24–41)

NOTE: I didn't deliver this sermon. The text presented here is what I had intended on delivering but God changed the message significantly before I delivered it.  You can listen to the actual sermon here.
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This morning I want to look at a passage from 2 Kings.  It is not too often that the church hears sermons from these historical books. In fact, the Revised Common Lectionary, which I love, only has 5 passages from the entire 25 chapters of the book and almost ignores the entire testimony of 1-2 Kings and 1-2 chronicles with only 17 passages total for all 112 chapters and 500 years of monarchy, give or take a few years.  But the real reason I am preaching on this text, today, the first Sunday of the New Year is because it relates to New Years resolutions.  Particularly, to the kinds of resolutions and reflections we must be concerned with.  I say that b/c the resolutions and reflections we make, fail to make, or just don’t take the time to make and implement in our lives will have effects on our children and grand children.  The very words that close our passage end with a sobering reminder that to this day the children and the grandchildren continue to do as the fathers did.  So as we enter the New Year, let’s consider carefully a passage that brings to light the greatest tragedy which can be passed on – the tragedy of syncretism.

Heidelberg Catechism Devotional Q4

Q.4. What does God’s law require of us?

A. Christ teaches us this in summary in Matthew 22 –

            Love the Lord your God with all your heart,

                        And with all your soul

                        And with all you mind

                        And with all your strength.

            This is the first and greatest commandment.

            And the second is like it:

            Love your neighbor as yourself.

All the Law and the Prophets hand on these two commandments.