Sunday, April 22, 2012
Man vs. God
Thursday, April 19, 2012
How 'bout a hug?
Luke 23:33 And when they came to the place that is called the skull, they crucified Him, and the criminals, one on His right and one on His left. 34 And Jesus said, "Father forgive them, for they know not what they do". And they cast lots for His garments.
Eli and Luke are now in the habit of taking showers with me in the morning as they are early risers along with their old man. I love it! The only bad part is that I have to share my coffee with them now that they have joined the tradition of java in the shower with daddio. Part of our routine is me holding them and praying for them and blessing their day. It is powerful. Yesterday morning Eli turned to Luke and said with arms wide open, "Luke hug me, I want to hold you". Luke, being a bit of a stinker these days, rejected the offer of a loving embrace, walking away from a disheartened Eli. What a picture of man's natural reaction to the Gospel of Christ! Jesus with arms wide open on the Cross being murdered by evil men so that he could save them, and them being preoccupied by their gambling for His clothes.
It takes two to hug. Salvation and following Christ is much the same way. The triune God has fixed in eternity their part of the "hugging embrace" if you will. the question is: Have you embraced His forgiveness, rule over your life and control over your life's purpose?" All of this is led by the spirit, but simply knowing what Christ did is no marker of Salvation. Many people have misinterpreted the passage above to mean that "Everyone is simply forgiven- no matter what". That theology doesn't require anything from man except a slight nod of acknowledgement of the Cross. That theology doesn't even put you on even footing with the devil and demons themselves as they have a terrifying fear of Christ. That theology is also contrary to the redemptive history of mankind found in the bible where the faithful are always a fractional remnant. Jesus himself says "Enter through the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those that enter it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those that find it are few.(Matthew 7:13-14) That should give us all pause and force us to take a step back to evaluate our souls disposition to Jesus offer of salvation from the Cross with open arms.
Have you turned from your sin and leaped into His arms not only as Savior, but as God over your life? Can you see the pain that your sin has dealt Him on an intimately personal level? Do you see the goodness in His reign and control over your life? Do you praise the Glory of Him recreating Christ in you?
Do not glance this over. The story of man proves most people are just like the guards at the foot of the Cross, too busy with life's details to turn and embrace His offer of Savior King. We need God's grace to even see what Christ is truly offering us as our sin nature aims to deceive us to see what the offer of Embracing Christ truly means. Go embrace the Savior King on His terms, for His Glory and Your Satisfaction.
Eli and Luke are now in the habit of taking showers with me in the morning as they are early risers along with their old man. I love it! The only bad part is that I have to share my coffee with them now that they have joined the tradition of java in the shower with daddio. Part of our routine is me holding them and praying for them and blessing their day. It is powerful. Yesterday morning Eli turned to Luke and said with arms wide open, "Luke hug me, I want to hold you". Luke, being a bit of a stinker these days, rejected the offer of a loving embrace, walking away from a disheartened Eli. What a picture of man's natural reaction to the Gospel of Christ! Jesus with arms wide open on the Cross being murdered by evil men so that he could save them, and them being preoccupied by their gambling for His clothes.
It takes two to hug. Salvation and following Christ is much the same way. The triune God has fixed in eternity their part of the "hugging embrace" if you will. the question is: Have you embraced His forgiveness, rule over your life and control over your life's purpose?" All of this is led by the spirit, but simply knowing what Christ did is no marker of Salvation. Many people have misinterpreted the passage above to mean that "Everyone is simply forgiven- no matter what". That theology doesn't require anything from man except a slight nod of acknowledgement of the Cross. That theology doesn't even put you on even footing with the devil and demons themselves as they have a terrifying fear of Christ. That theology is also contrary to the redemptive history of mankind found in the bible where the faithful are always a fractional remnant. Jesus himself says "Enter through the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those that enter it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those that find it are few.(Matthew 7:13-14) That should give us all pause and force us to take a step back to evaluate our souls disposition to Jesus offer of salvation from the Cross with open arms.
Have you turned from your sin and leaped into His arms not only as Savior, but as God over your life? Can you see the pain that your sin has dealt Him on an intimately personal level? Do you see the goodness in His reign and control over your life? Do you praise the Glory of Him recreating Christ in you?
Do not glance this over. The story of man proves most people are just like the guards at the foot of the Cross, too busy with life's details to turn and embrace His offer of Savior King. We need God's grace to even see what Christ is truly offering us as our sin nature aims to deceive us to see what the offer of Embracing Christ truly means. Go embrace the Savior King on His terms, for His Glory and Your Satisfaction.
Sunday, April 15, 2012
Self Esteem
Nehemiah 6:15 So the wall was finished on the twenty-fifth day of the month Elul, in fifty-two days. 16 And when all our enemies heard of it, all the nations around us were afraid and fell greatly in their own esteem, for they perceived that this work had been accomplished with the help of our God.
Be the best you can be! You need to feel and look good! Billions of dollars are spent each year on self esteem books, enhancement surgeries, gym memberships, feel good pills, diet plans and food, and many other things to build self esteem of individuals. It almost seems that the number one agenda in our country is trying to make everyone feel confident in who they are, regardless of what they are. Is that a good thing? A God thing?
Throughout redemptive history, God is intent on bringing an end to our sinful self esteem, and gracefully replacing it with an esteem for Himself that in turn brings a lasting recreation of Himself that is unshakable. Paul calls enhancing ourselves "the works of the flesh" and we all know what that means. The weird thing about it all is this: until we come to the end of our selves and bow the knee to God in a submissive plea for His mercy, we will always have a fragile self esteem no matter how confident it appears to the world. Why? There is a God who is in heaven who will judge evil men who spend their lives trying to convince themselves they are good, and he will do that very thing.
When you dive into Nehemiah 6 above, you see that very thing happening. Earlier in Nehemiah, his enemies were confident and condescending to Nehemiah and the Jews. They looked at Jerusalem and the rag tag band of "rebuilders", compared the Jews collective resources to their own and felt really, really good about themselves and their chances to control Nehemiah's efforts. They had one major miscalculation though, they left God out of the picture.
When God shows up, all of the self esteem books and tips in the world fade into a transparent facade and our weakness is made clear. Nehemiah fueled by an esteem for God, anchored in the strength of God, was unflappable because His God was and still is. I love what the word says of His enemies, "they were afraid and fell in their own esteem". What a picture this is of us all trying to be our own god as we elevate our selves and then the reality of God striking that down.
Is your esteem based on Christ in you? If so you will see yourself as helpless and in need of Him desperately. If you are confidently strutting through this life based on your works and self esteem, you can be assured that will change. The deadliest place to be is in a religious routine that applies Holy precepts to strengthen our own self esteem as we feel better about ourselves. I know, I was there, and when you are it is almost impossible to see and beg for the mercy you need, because you can't see that you need it.
Their is a Savior worthy of all esteem and he wants to recreate Himself in His creation. That would be you and me.
Be the best you can be! You need to feel and look good! Billions of dollars are spent each year on self esteem books, enhancement surgeries, gym memberships, feel good pills, diet plans and food, and many other things to build self esteem of individuals. It almost seems that the number one agenda in our country is trying to make everyone feel confident in who they are, regardless of what they are. Is that a good thing? A God thing?
Throughout redemptive history, God is intent on bringing an end to our sinful self esteem, and gracefully replacing it with an esteem for Himself that in turn brings a lasting recreation of Himself that is unshakable. Paul calls enhancing ourselves "the works of the flesh" and we all know what that means. The weird thing about it all is this: until we come to the end of our selves and bow the knee to God in a submissive plea for His mercy, we will always have a fragile self esteem no matter how confident it appears to the world. Why? There is a God who is in heaven who will judge evil men who spend their lives trying to convince themselves they are good, and he will do that very thing.
When you dive into Nehemiah 6 above, you see that very thing happening. Earlier in Nehemiah, his enemies were confident and condescending to Nehemiah and the Jews. They looked at Jerusalem and the rag tag band of "rebuilders", compared the Jews collective resources to their own and felt really, really good about themselves and their chances to control Nehemiah's efforts. They had one major miscalculation though, they left God out of the picture.
When God shows up, all of the self esteem books and tips in the world fade into a transparent facade and our weakness is made clear. Nehemiah fueled by an esteem for God, anchored in the strength of God, was unflappable because His God was and still is. I love what the word says of His enemies, "they were afraid and fell in their own esteem". What a picture this is of us all trying to be our own god as we elevate our selves and then the reality of God striking that down.
Is your esteem based on Christ in you? If so you will see yourself as helpless and in need of Him desperately. If you are confidently strutting through this life based on your works and self esteem, you can be assured that will change. The deadliest place to be is in a religious routine that applies Holy precepts to strengthen our own self esteem as we feel better about ourselves. I know, I was there, and when you are it is almost impossible to see and beg for the mercy you need, because you can't see that you need it.
Their is a Savior worthy of all esteem and he wants to recreate Himself in His creation. That would be you and me.
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Grace in vain
2 Corinthians 6:1 As God's fellow workers we urge you not to receive God's grace in vain.
As a parent, few things give my blood pressure a lift like one of my kids receiving a gift in vain. That is, without appreciation of the work, thought, love and sacrifice that the gift required and represents. If you are a parent you know exactly what I mean. There is nothing worse than a spoiled rotten kid who thinks he is more worthy than even the gifts he or she receives, so there is no genuine appreciation for the gift. This is exactly what Paul is urging the Corinthian Church to be aware in themselves, in terms of the Gospel.
Paul is aware that the flesh is constantly battling God's desire for us to truly appraise and appreciate the Glory of Christ and His gift of grace. Think I am lying? Right now where you are, how awed are you of God? Did you wake up this morning with an anticipation to worship Him with the same anticipation you feel before a big sporting event, Christmas, or special vacation to an exotic spot?
Its hard, but I must admit that it is far too easy to undervalue the Gift of Christ. We are far to content to memorize the Sunday School material and go and pour our passions into work, sports, recreation and Hobbies. Paul says look out. He writes this one verse after one of the most awe inspiring verses in the bible 2 Corinthians 5:21 - He who knew no sin, became sin, so that we might become the righteousness of God. Did you hear that? A Holy God not only paid sin debts, but Christ momentarily volunteered to become the thing he hated most, sin. On the cross he became the object of wrath of Father and suffered immensely, even far beyond the physical brutality. Paul is encouraging us to never lose our awe of this fact. Its divine. Its a mystery. Its Holy.
As we approach Easter we need to examine our motives, thoughts and actions. What exactly dominates your thoughts this week? Grocery lists for family meals? Dying Eater eggs? Getting baskets prepared? Travel plans and work schedules?
All of this when Christ is at the Father's right hand desiring your full and deserving awe?
Let's not receive God's grace in vain....
As a parent, few things give my blood pressure a lift like one of my kids receiving a gift in vain. That is, without appreciation of the work, thought, love and sacrifice that the gift required and represents. If you are a parent you know exactly what I mean. There is nothing worse than a spoiled rotten kid who thinks he is more worthy than even the gifts he or she receives, so there is no genuine appreciation for the gift. This is exactly what Paul is urging the Corinthian Church to be aware in themselves, in terms of the Gospel.
Paul is aware that the flesh is constantly battling God's desire for us to truly appraise and appreciate the Glory of Christ and His gift of grace. Think I am lying? Right now where you are, how awed are you of God? Did you wake up this morning with an anticipation to worship Him with the same anticipation you feel before a big sporting event, Christmas, or special vacation to an exotic spot?
Its hard, but I must admit that it is far too easy to undervalue the Gift of Christ. We are far to content to memorize the Sunday School material and go and pour our passions into work, sports, recreation and Hobbies. Paul says look out. He writes this one verse after one of the most awe inspiring verses in the bible 2 Corinthians 5:21 - He who knew no sin, became sin, so that we might become the righteousness of God. Did you hear that? A Holy God not only paid sin debts, but Christ momentarily volunteered to become the thing he hated most, sin. On the cross he became the object of wrath of Father and suffered immensely, even far beyond the physical brutality. Paul is encouraging us to never lose our awe of this fact. Its divine. Its a mystery. Its Holy.
As we approach Easter we need to examine our motives, thoughts and actions. What exactly dominates your thoughts this week? Grocery lists for family meals? Dying Eater eggs? Getting baskets prepared? Travel plans and work schedules?
All of this when Christ is at the Father's right hand desiring your full and deserving awe?
Let's not receive God's grace in vain....
Saturday, March 17, 2012
The Pledge of allegiance
Isaiah 45:22 “Turn to me and be saved,all the ends of the earth!
For I am God, and there is no other. 23 By myself I have sworn;
from my mouth has gone out in righteousness a word that shall not return:
‘To me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear allegiance.’
24 “Only in the Lord, it shall be said of me, are righteousness and strength;
to him shall come and be ashamed all who were incensed against him.
25 In the Lord all the offspring of Israel shall be justified and shall glory.”
I pledge allegiance to the flag of the Untied States of America,
and to the Republic for which its stands,
one nation, under God, indivisible,
with liberty and justice for all.
I remember the intercom cranking up all the way back in 1976 in my first grade class as we would all stand to recite the pledge of allegiance. I can still feel the weight of what I was doing in pledging allegiance as I knew that both God and America were much bigger than myself. When you scan back through these words, it is clear that God anchors the justice and liberty that is allowed all of us, and that the US was designed to be an agent for Him. I know that the words," under God" were added in 1954, but I believe they were unquestionably assumed before that so the addition was to clarify the initial intent, not change it. What puzzles me now is that my generation in particular fights for the conservative "right" for the kids to say this pledge in public, yet fights against the pledge in action. What do I mean? We are way more concerned with getting to say it right, than walking it out. If we break the speed limits consistently,cheat on taxes, bad mouth the US and assassinate the character of every president elected, even though he was elected by due process within the republic's law, then our life speaks AGAINST the very "pledge" we hold so dear. The weird thing is that every body is so busy, we can't even see our own hypocrisy in the matter because we are to busy discussing how hypocritical politicians are. News flash: the politicians are simply a reflection and a product of our society. They have just learned to play the game a little better.
I do agree that the fight to keep "under God" in the pledge has extreme merit as it is the backbone of the pledge and a surgical removal of it leaves nothing but a bag of bones. I think that it is perhaps more critical for us all to access how we stand in allegiance to God, before we can apply that to our nation. We place way to much value on our words, but what does your heart, soul and actions testify when God says to us "You will bow before me".as He does in Isaiah 45 above? Pride immediately sends us to seek a "more educated" translation that will read "acknowledge". Why? Pride seeks to elevate us as we serve ourselves. We don't want to be controlled, whether it is a government telling you to drive 55 mph, or if it is a true God clarifying what is sin and what is holy. Christ came to invite us into a holy, joyful submission unto the Father. Unlike the politicians who have altered the US, God remains an unchanging anchor of all things good, including my ability to right this and not get thrown in jail as I live in the US, not in a gospel-adverse country.
So examine your life. Do you rant and rave about others actions while ignoring your own need for Christ to lead you into joyful submission? Have you sworn allegiance to God and America, and then acted against that pledge?
God is not asleep on the throne. He knows the root of our hearts. He clearly understands if we truly have trusted Christ to the point of placing our entire life in His hands by faith alone, or if we simply just talk bout it.
It is only when our lives are in His hands that we experience the justice and glory that is found in Christ alone (verse 25). Submission to Him is healthy, joyful and a delight. So let us pledge allegiance, Yes. But let us, by Faith, live it to testify to the world how great our God is!
For I am God, and there is no other. 23 By myself I have sworn;
from my mouth has gone out in righteousness a word that shall not return:
‘To me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear allegiance.’
24 “Only in the Lord, it shall be said of me, are righteousness and strength;
to him shall come and be ashamed all who were incensed against him.
25 In the Lord all the offspring of Israel shall be justified and shall glory.”
I pledge allegiance to the flag of the Untied States of America,
and to the Republic for which its stands,
one nation, under God, indivisible,
with liberty and justice for all.
I remember the intercom cranking up all the way back in 1976 in my first grade class as we would all stand to recite the pledge of allegiance. I can still feel the weight of what I was doing in pledging allegiance as I knew that both God and America were much bigger than myself. When you scan back through these words, it is clear that God anchors the justice and liberty that is allowed all of us, and that the US was designed to be an agent for Him. I know that the words," under God" were added in 1954, but I believe they were unquestionably assumed before that so the addition was to clarify the initial intent, not change it. What puzzles me now is that my generation in particular fights for the conservative "right" for the kids to say this pledge in public, yet fights against the pledge in action. What do I mean? We are way more concerned with getting to say it right, than walking it out. If we break the speed limits consistently,cheat on taxes, bad mouth the US and assassinate the character of every president elected, even though he was elected by due process within the republic's law, then our life speaks AGAINST the very "pledge" we hold so dear. The weird thing is that every body is so busy, we can't even see our own hypocrisy in the matter because we are to busy discussing how hypocritical politicians are. News flash: the politicians are simply a reflection and a product of our society. They have just learned to play the game a little better.
I do agree that the fight to keep "under God" in the pledge has extreme merit as it is the backbone of the pledge and a surgical removal of it leaves nothing but a bag of bones. I think that it is perhaps more critical for us all to access how we stand in allegiance to God, before we can apply that to our nation. We place way to much value on our words, but what does your heart, soul and actions testify when God says to us "You will bow before me".as He does in Isaiah 45 above? Pride immediately sends us to seek a "more educated" translation that will read "acknowledge". Why? Pride seeks to elevate us as we serve ourselves. We don't want to be controlled, whether it is a government telling you to drive 55 mph, or if it is a true God clarifying what is sin and what is holy. Christ came to invite us into a holy, joyful submission unto the Father. Unlike the politicians who have altered the US, God remains an unchanging anchor of all things good, including my ability to right this and not get thrown in jail as I live in the US, not in a gospel-adverse country.
So examine your life. Do you rant and rave about others actions while ignoring your own need for Christ to lead you into joyful submission? Have you sworn allegiance to God and America, and then acted against that pledge?
God is not asleep on the throne. He knows the root of our hearts. He clearly understands if we truly have trusted Christ to the point of placing our entire life in His hands by faith alone, or if we simply just talk bout it.
It is only when our lives are in His hands that we experience the justice and glory that is found in Christ alone (verse 25). Submission to Him is healthy, joyful and a delight. So let us pledge allegiance, Yes. But let us, by Faith, live it to testify to the world how great our God is!
Thursday, March 8, 2012
Your Song
Isaiah 12:1 You will say in that day: "I will give thanks to you, O lord, for you were angry with me, your anger turned away, that you might comfort me.2 "behold, God is my salvation: I will trust, and I will not be afraid; for the Lord God is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation 3 With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. 4 And you will say in that day: Give thanks to the Lord, call upon His name, make known his deeds among the peoples, proclaim that His name is exalted. Sing praises to the Lord, for He has done gloriously; let this be known in all of the earth. Shout, and sing for joy, O inhabitant of Zion. For great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel."
Certain songs make my heart smile. Elton John's "your song" is one of those that does because it is a humble and passionate expression of tender love. My favorite lines are:
It's a little bit funny this feeling inside
I'm not one of those who can easily hide
I don't have much money but boy if I did
I'd buy a big house where we both could live
If I was a sculptor, but then again, no
Or a man who makes potions in a travelling show
I know it's not much but it's the best I can do
My gift is my song and this one's for you
Its then followed up with the chorus:
I hope you don't mind, I hope you don't mind, That I put down in words
How wonderful life is, while your in the World"
Now to all you borderline legalists in the house, I am not condoning His lifestyle, I am pointing out the Joy of His heart pouring out in His song sung to another, that in turn brings joy in the heart of others. Or at least mine. The reason? It is the picture described in Isaiah above of How we should live "unto the Lord" as we follow Christ. Isaiah is prophesying about Jesus coming 700 years before he comes (that is pretty cool in itself that, huh?). The text above is Isaiah prophesying reactions of the redeemed to the ONE who is righteous and faithful, Jesus.
Singing praises to Christ of His greatness, fueled by the strength of the Joy of the Lord, multiplies grace in our Hearts and allows the unredeemed to perhaps hear and sense the divine true Love of God. God wants to drench us in Love, Spirit and Truth in a way that our souls sing and praise our way through thick and thin, victory and failure, all because we know we can trust the permanancy of the Eternal One's work and Reign. It not only gives God the Glory he deserves, it satisfies our desires and leaves those outside of relation to God to wonder "How is this person able to handle all of these challenges and still be at peace and have joy?" That is real evidence of our faith, not as fabrication, but simply an overflow of the power Christ through us that will change the World.
So when was the last time you sang to Jesus in spontaneous, unscripted Joy? Have you ever told, or sung, to Him out loud how Glorious you think He is or how madly in Love with Him you are?
Where is Your Song for Him?
Certain songs make my heart smile. Elton John's "your song" is one of those that does because it is a humble and passionate expression of tender love. My favorite lines are:
It's a little bit funny this feeling inside
I'm not one of those who can easily hide
I don't have much money but boy if I did
I'd buy a big house where we both could live
If I was a sculptor, but then again, no
Or a man who makes potions in a travelling show
I know it's not much but it's the best I can do
My gift is my song and this one's for you
Its then followed up with the chorus:
I hope you don't mind, I hope you don't mind, That I put down in words
How wonderful life is, while your in the World"
Now to all you borderline legalists in the house, I am not condoning His lifestyle, I am pointing out the Joy of His heart pouring out in His song sung to another, that in turn brings joy in the heart of others. Or at least mine. The reason? It is the picture described in Isaiah above of How we should live "unto the Lord" as we follow Christ. Isaiah is prophesying about Jesus coming 700 years before he comes (that is pretty cool in itself that, huh?). The text above is Isaiah prophesying reactions of the redeemed to the ONE who is righteous and faithful, Jesus.
Singing praises to Christ of His greatness, fueled by the strength of the Joy of the Lord, multiplies grace in our Hearts and allows the unredeemed to perhaps hear and sense the divine true Love of God. God wants to drench us in Love, Spirit and Truth in a way that our souls sing and praise our way through thick and thin, victory and failure, all because we know we can trust the permanancy of the Eternal One's work and Reign. It not only gives God the Glory he deserves, it satisfies our desires and leaves those outside of relation to God to wonder "How is this person able to handle all of these challenges and still be at peace and have joy?" That is real evidence of our faith, not as fabrication, but simply an overflow of the power Christ through us that will change the World.
So when was the last time you sang to Jesus in spontaneous, unscripted Joy? Have you ever told, or sung, to Him out loud how Glorious you think He is or how madly in Love with Him you are?
Where is Your Song for Him?
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
We need an ax man
Isaiah 10:15 Shall the ax boast over Him who hews with it, or the saw magnify itself against him who wields it?
I have been reviewing some resumes lately as we are looking for some additional creative support at blu. It is interesting when you read resumes, as everyone does their best to bring forth what they have accomplished in a way that strikes a perfect balance between more-than-capable and not-so-cocky. Its basically a polished way of saying, "look what I have done and what I can do for you". It's kind of the way we all think if we are honest. We all see the good we've done and the great asset we can be for our present or future employer, and the better asset we can prove ourselves the more dinero comes our way.
In Isaiah 10 above, God is talking directly to the king of Assyria. God has allowed him and propelled him to victory over many nations including Syria, Israel and Judah. (actually at this point he is prophesying through Isaiah that this will happen and of course it does later.) The victories that occurred under the King of Assyrias's headship, ultimately occurred under God's. The King of Assyria was only able to see his own power and greatness at work, and not God's. That would prove to be a deadly mistake as God would wipe Him and His kingdom out in righteous judgement of this prideful nation.
It is so easy for us reading this to say to ourselves," What an idiot that guy was, can't he see that God was there". We would be misleading ourselves if we are unable to translate this thread of learning into our own lives. Sin is hard at work trying to tempt us to take credit for what God has done in our lives. Sin wants us to be elevated as a great businessperson, parent, athlete, looker, friend, child, professional, church member, volunteer or anything else we throw our hat in the ring to do. We, just like the King, can convince ourselves that our success is ours and not God's. We can become deceived that the credit for our accomplishments is entirely ours, and not God's. God says to you and me, "that's like the ax saying 'look at the tree I cut down' to the axman who actually wielded the ax".
Think through God's sovereign orchestration and design in your life. The people we meet, the opportunities we get, the environment we were born in, simply being an American are God's doing, not ours. It is so tempting and status quote for us to assume wrongly that we are a great accomplisher of things and take the credit for God's hand at work. At the end of the day, taking credit for the work of God is a path of rebellion that we have all strolled down and we need to turn and walk back down the path of elevating Him and giving Him his due credit.
So consider this a call to all of the axes out there. Without a divine ax man wielding you, you are only capable of sitting in a tool closet collecting dust while talking about how sharp you are.
I have been reviewing some resumes lately as we are looking for some additional creative support at blu. It is interesting when you read resumes, as everyone does their best to bring forth what they have accomplished in a way that strikes a perfect balance between more-than-capable and not-so-cocky. Its basically a polished way of saying, "look what I have done and what I can do for you". It's kind of the way we all think if we are honest. We all see the good we've done and the great asset we can be for our present or future employer, and the better asset we can prove ourselves the more dinero comes our way.
In Isaiah 10 above, God is talking directly to the king of Assyria. God has allowed him and propelled him to victory over many nations including Syria, Israel and Judah. (actually at this point he is prophesying through Isaiah that this will happen and of course it does later.) The victories that occurred under the King of Assyrias's headship, ultimately occurred under God's. The King of Assyria was only able to see his own power and greatness at work, and not God's. That would prove to be a deadly mistake as God would wipe Him and His kingdom out in righteous judgement of this prideful nation.
It is so easy for us reading this to say to ourselves," What an idiot that guy was, can't he see that God was there". We would be misleading ourselves if we are unable to translate this thread of learning into our own lives. Sin is hard at work trying to tempt us to take credit for what God has done in our lives. Sin wants us to be elevated as a great businessperson, parent, athlete, looker, friend, child, professional, church member, volunteer or anything else we throw our hat in the ring to do. We, just like the King, can convince ourselves that our success is ours and not God's. We can become deceived that the credit for our accomplishments is entirely ours, and not God's. God says to you and me, "that's like the ax saying 'look at the tree I cut down' to the axman who actually wielded the ax".
Think through God's sovereign orchestration and design in your life. The people we meet, the opportunities we get, the environment we were born in, simply being an American are God's doing, not ours. It is so tempting and status quote for us to assume wrongly that we are a great accomplisher of things and take the credit for God's hand at work. At the end of the day, taking credit for the work of God is a path of rebellion that we have all strolled down and we need to turn and walk back down the path of elevating Him and giving Him his due credit.
So consider this a call to all of the axes out there. Without a divine ax man wielding you, you are only capable of sitting in a tool closet collecting dust while talking about how sharp you are.
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