Devotional Thought

The following is a devotional though from my friend, Tyler LeVan. He is currently serving God on a short term mission trip in Kenya.

"So who wants to write about sin? Who wants to write about the wrath of God? If that is the end of it then no one does. However, if it can help provide understanding of God, and if it magnifies God's grace, love and mercy, and if it is the very reality of our condition and His holiness then we must discuss it or just foolishly choose to deceive ourselves. So it is for our good that the book of Romans starts here. It is vital to the gospel and it is vital to us having a deep-rooted gospel joy in Christ. Let me say at the start that I do not understand this book. It is so deep and so beautiful that the greatest theological minds have spent years swimming in it only to never find the bottom. However, I want to just gleam some truths from it so we can taste just a bit of the sweetness of Christ that is found here. The glory of God is first and foremost in scope here. However, the good news for us is that that is just what we need to know a deep satisfaction in our hearts and to one day have eternal bliss with Him. So we began with one more text of introduction and then we go to Romans.

Take a second to consider Luke 7:36-50. There are two people here, an immoral woman and a Pharisee. If you read the story you find the woman weeping at the feet of Jesus and the Pharisee pridefully looking at the situation with disapproval toward them both. Jesus then responds to him with a parable. In the parable there are two people that have a debt. One owes $10 and the other owes $1,000,000. Jesus says they are both forgiven and asks who would love more. The answer is obvious and the Pharisee answers correctly. Then Jesus says that the immoral woman has been forgiven of her many sins. He then says, “she loved much; but he who is forgiven little, loves little.” Did the self-centered, self-righteous, self-motivated Pharisee really only have little sin to be forgiven? Isn't this the type of person we see Jesus actively opposing throughout the gospels? Or perhaps, is it just that he was failing to realize the depravity of his heart and saw himself as a “pretty good person” in light of the woman who was most likely a prostitute?

We have this problem in America. Our Christian mindset is almost one of, “I was a pretty good person but Jesus just helped me out a bit and now I am a Christian.” We have taken the light and fluffy points of Christianity and tried to make it our religion. If you look at the numb, dull and dying church of America you will clearly see that it is not working. We have created a Jesus that just pets squirrels, stands under rainbows and offers His love as a means to give us a boost to live a moral, comfortable, self-absorbed life. We have gotten away from “rejoicing with trembling (Ps. 2:11)”. We have become man-centered and God is just someone who serves us. We are all about success, self-esteem, self-confidence. We are all about us and nowhere in the equation is this notion that God is the one who created us and only in Him can we find the very purpose for why we exist. We have decided that we can decide for ourselves what He is like and how He deals with us. If we want Him to be distant then we make Him distant. If we all of sudden see that He can offer us something to benefit our lives then He becomes our little assistant in the sky who is just a means to our gain. If we want a religion that lets us get high or be gay or live our lives in greed well we will just invent one or maybe just amend the one we now have. A man-centered theology permeates America inside and outside the church. Think about it, the very phrase is an oxymoron. He is God and we are not. We have not known that “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding (Prov. 9:10).” We have neglected the horror and seriousness of sin. We have belittled the God of the universe. We are so far off and I wonder how are we ever going to get back. How are we going to get back to the joyful, soul-satisfying purpose for which we have been created. Well we have to understand God and ourselves and nowhere are both more clearly seen than in the gospel. So we will start by exploring our sin and His justice next time.

I had full intent of jumping in to Romans this time but my heart began to burn in a different direction. So after three devotional thoughts of intro, possibly we will get to Romans next time. I want to leave you with a quote and a verse to set-up next time and encourage our hearts."

“If we don't understand rightly the depth and evil of our sin then we can never expect to understand the greatness of our Savior.”

But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

Romans 5:8

Actions Vs. The Heart

Another story from the wonderful world of ISU Student Dining Services...

Again, I was working in the Dining Center and it was towards the end of my second shift. It's a fairly busy venue with two lines. Each line has mixed veggies, mashed patatoes, peas, gravy, meatloaf, some chicken stuff (looked like soupy type stuff) and biscuits. Around 1:00 or 1:15ish (a relatively popular time to eat lunch), I notice I am the only person working the venue. The full time staff (2 of them) have come to the end of their shifts and the full timer to replace them has yet to show up. The student who is assigned to help me was pulled to help with some other food. Twice a full time person from the office came through without offering help or calling someone else for help. Meanwhile I continue to cook, pan and replenish the food for the hungry students. While doing this I get upset (and rightly so I think/thought). Quickly a verse came to mind, though I don't remember it word for word I will quote it word for word...

"Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe." Philippians 2:14-15

This verse comes to mind a lot while working at student dining :) So I do not complain as the office manager comes through, I don't even ask for help. I feel great about myself... but in my head/heart I'm still upset and not joyful. Next, for the first time in this situation, another verse comes to mind. This is probably because I read it yesterday...

"A malicious man disguises himself with his lips, but in his heart he harbors deceit."
-Proverbs 26:24

There are probably better verses to reference for my point, but this one worked for me. God is not concerned with the show we put on for others. Dont be mistaken, He is concerned with our actions and they are important since we represent Christ. This makes it important to outwardly represent Christ well. However, God is also highly (and arguably more) concerned with our hearts. If I am kind and nice and humble to everyone I interact with and yet in my heart I harbor hate, pride, and anger God is very much displeased. And if my heart is not right, my actions will not hold up for very long.

So, while my actions, I think, have always been "good" while working at the dining center my heart has definitely not been! I'm glad that I read those verses yesterday and even more glad the Holy Spirit brought them to my mind while working today (conviction). The discipline of the Lord is good. We should welcome it!

"My son, do not despise the LORD's discipline and do not resent his rebuke, because the LORD disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in." -Proverbs 3:11-12

It's Just Cheese!

So, while working at the student dining center on campus I was asked to stack cheese for the next day. When stacking cheese for the dining center, one first places one piece of cheese so that it appears square in front of you and then places the second piece so that it is shaped like a diamond. You proceed to alternate every other piece of cheese. This is done for the students' benefit so that it will be easier to pick up each piece of cheese. In case you don't know, what shape appears when this pattern is followed? 2 square objects, one placed as a square and the next placed on top of it as a diamond? It forms the appearance of the Star of David. So while stacking this cheese I noticed this. My mind then proceeded to think about what this meant for the school. As an auditor it is my job to look for potential liabilities of a company and this one was staring me right in the face. Some student is going to see this cheese that is, no doubt, purposefully placed in the shape of the Star of David and this student will be offended. The student will then proceed to take the necessary steps to prove that this is a violation of the seperation of church and state since the school is now promoting a religion through its cheese! And thus, something that was done for the students benefit will be mis-interpreted and seen as offensive.

Why are people so sensitive when it comes to these types of situations? Why does my faith offend someone who does not believe in God? I am not offended by their lack of faith. I am saddened for those who do not believe, but I am not offended. I do not wish to push or force my faith onto others and I give them no reason to be offended. I simply want to share the good news! And thus, something I intend for their benefit is seen as offensive.

Answer: Because the Word of God is convicting! People know that they live in sin and they are selfishly seeking their own desires and will in life. When presented with the idea of God they quickly become defensive and "offended". Here the quote, "The truth hurts" is relevant I think. Those who are presented with the Truth and do not accept it as good news, but instead refuse it in order to continue living in sin, find this truth offensive. One cannot love sin and love God.

Conclusion: It is not my faith or the cheese that one finds offensive. It is the very gospel that we hold so dear that those, who do not believe, find offensive.


Note: I do not know if anyone has ever sued a university because their cheese looked like the star of David. However, with today's lawsuits it would not surprise me one bit. I have exaggerated by assuming someone would sue over some cheese, but I hope that it points out the rediculous-ness of some of the same type of situations that occur around the US. After all, we're not out to trick people or brainwash them into believing the same things we believe... It's just cheese!

Question to Ponder...

First off, I'd like to post slightly more frequently but with 2 jobs, 12 hours of school and a 2.5 month old marriage to work on I don't have a whole lot of free time.

In my journalism class today we were discussing Official vs Un-Official Language. Official such as billboards and signs. Or a plaque (Spelling?) hanging outside that was posted by the government. This does not describe every type of Official language but it's good enough for this post. And un-official language such as graffiti. While trying to define official and un-official language (this is reason I don't have a good definition, we aren't quite sure what they are, or I'm not anyway) the teacher asked the question, "What is the purpose of society?" He then followed that by asking, "What is the purpose of life?" The first thing my mind thought was to worship and glorify the God that created us. A student across the room said, "To live, thrive and survive." What a hopeless reason for existing. Then, as I quit paying attention to the discussion, my mind thought about what it would be like if every student in the classroom knew our purpose was to Worship and Glorify the God that created us.

If every student in my Visual Communication class, my international accounting class, my accounting theory class and my corporate finance class and the teachers as well knew that our purpose was to love our God with all hearts, minds and souls, to worship Him and to glorify Him, what would my classes consist of? How different would my curriculum be? Of course there would still be a need for accounting, but how differently would the classes and the workforce look if all understood and believed in this Truth?

Disclaimer

These posts are from another blog, myspace. They are my thoughts about life and how I interpret the Bible and my prayers as a result of such. I do not claim to have all the correct answers or to know everything. I do not claim to be perfect or holier than the next person. I simply post my thoughts in hopes that I might encourage others in the Faith of our Lord Jesus Christ and maybe point those who do not know Christ towards salvation in His name.

On a side note (sort of):

"I am a Christian"
When I say..."I am a Christian"
I'm not shouting "I'm clean living."
I'm whispering, "I was lost,"
Now I'm found & forgiven.
When I say..."I am a Christian"
I don't speak of this with pride,
I'm confessing that I stumble
and need CHRIST to be my guide.
When I say..."I am a Christian"
I'm not trying to be strong,
I'm professing that I'm weak
and need HIS strength to carry on.
When I say..."I am a Christian"
I'm not bragging of success,
I'm admitting I have failed
and need God to clean my mess.
When I say..."I am a Christian"
I'm not claiming to be perfect,
My flaws are far too visible
but, God believes I'm worth it.
When I say..."I am a Christian"
I still feel the sting of pain,
I have my share of heartaches
so I call upon His name.
When I say..."I am a Christian"
I'm not holier than thou,
I'm just a sinner saved by grace

Life & Thoughts from 10/15/2006

I don't really like doing homework and I often times find that it has nothing to do with my Christian walk. I like accounting and want to pursue it as my career, however, I want to be a Christian first and an accountant second. Some of my coursework, even in accounting classes, is not very vital in regards to my career. Shocking I know... most of you have experienced this in a class or two I'm sure. I get frustrated and quickly abandon all that I know to be true of how I should act and think as a Christian. Christianity is not simply putting on the show and doing all the outward works that give evidence to being filled with the Holy Spirit. It's about how we react privately... this is who we truly are anyway right? It's about being so satisfied in Christ and in love with the Lord that nothing else matters but Him and His work. Conclusion: When frustrated with school work my satisfaction in the Lord should overpower my frustration. However, I'm not perfect, I curse my school work, I confess and I try to stay in control of my emotions better the next time. That's repentance in association with sanctification... the daily process of becoming more like Christ. "God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him" - John Piper... God is NOT most glorified in us when we are most satisfied. He is most glorified is us when we are most satisfied IN HIM! Despite our health, our emotions, our circumstances, our wealth... we are to be satisfied in Christ... which shouldn't be too difficult given all that he has blessed us with as his children... forgiveness of our sin (before we asked for it), the Holy Spirit to empower and strengthen us, a personal relationship with our Creator and eternal life to spent in the presence of our Lord... just to mention a few. So when He chooses not to bless us with worldly blessings we turn against Him and say "Why me?" when we should eagerly await the day when our suffering will end and we'll be with the Father for all eternity!

"Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth."

-Psalm 46:10

Thoughts of the Day - From 10/14/2006

"I did not send these prophets, yet they have run with their message; I did not speak to them, yet they have prophesied." -Jeremiah 23:21
"How long will this continue in the hearts of these lying prophets, who prophesy the delusions of their own minds?" -Jeremiah 23:26
"Yes, declares the Lord, I am against the prophets who wag their own tongues and yet declare, The Lord declares." -Jeremiah 23:31
"They tell them and lead my people astray with their reckless lies, yet I did not send or appoint them. They do not benefit these people in the least."
-Jeremiah 23:32

Lord, bring judgment to those who lead your people astray and those who teach lies and false gospels. Help your people discern between the Truth and lies. Allow them to teach no more and prevent them from leading more astray.

There are many false prophets in the world today. They preach health and happiness, and that wealth and money bring joy. Don't fall for the teachings of the world. And dont believe those who preach in Christ's name but don't preach what Christ preaches.

"Don't let anyone deceive you in any way..." -2 Thess. 2:3
"The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders."
-2 Thess. 2:9
"So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter." -2 Thess. 2:15

Lord, thank you for revealing your gospel to us. For teaching and showing us the Truth. May I always test what I hear against the Truth of your Word. May I always stand firm in what I know to be true. I pray I would not believe in false gospels, whether they are of health or wealth and of this world or even if they are preached in the name of Christ but are false teachings.

"My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God." -Psalm 84:2
"Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked." -Psalm 84:10

Lord, I yearn for you and my soul thirsts for you. Only you can satisfy my desires because you placed them in my heart. I would rather be the least among your people than the highest among the world by its standards!

"May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father...encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word." -2 Thess. 2:16-17

Thoughts of the Day - From 10/13/2006

"Woe to him who builds his palace by unrighteousness, his upper rooms by injustice." -Jeremiah 22:13

Lord, I pray my life would be built on righteousness and justice.

"We ought always to thank God for you, brothers" - 2 Thess. 1:3
"Among God's churches we boast about your perseverence and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring" -2 Thess. 1:4

Lord, may I boast in your riches and glories and how you move in my brothers' and sisters' lives, not in how great and wonderful I am. That I would remember to thank you always for my fellow heirs in Christ.

"God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you"
-2 Thess. 1:6

Thank you Lord for being just; revenge is not ours, but yours- we are commanded to love everyone.

"With one mind they plot together; they form an alliance against you." - Psalm 83:3

Lord, the enemy is prepared and has a well thought plan - may we as your children not be lazy but better prepared and equipped than the enemy!

"Like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine gold is a wise man's rebuke to a listening ear" - Proverbs 25:12

Lord, make me open to rebuke, from wise men, and not defensive. That I might learn and grow closer to the God of the universe.

"...but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life" - Galations 6:8
"Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary." -Galations 6:9

Give me the strength to not grow weary Lord!

Amen.

First Post

Only posting so I can see my blog. I may use this blog eventually but for now it was created so I could post comments on othe blogs.