Tuesday, May 7, 2013
Praying With or Without Words
Have you every prayed a prayer that was wordless . . . with tears . . . lifting a burden to God with groanings too deep for words?
Of course, Jesus taught us to pray with words – words express the thoughts and feelings of our hearts. With words we express our appreciation and gratitude to God. With words we convey our sorrow for sins committed. With words we make requests for God’s blessing on others as well as for our own personal needs.
We can also pray without words – “The Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans” (Romans 8:26). As the Spirit moves in our hearts, Jesus Christ finds in our hearts the motions of our non-verbalized prayers and expresses them to the Father. Praying without words like this is also true prayer.
Let’s say your computer breaks down. You’re not a computer genius, and if you’re really stuck, you phone the repair shop – the Geek Squad – to see if they could tell you what is the problem and if you could do anything about it.
You quickly discover, however, that you don’t even know how to describe what isn’t working right. You don’t know the names of the parts or what is specifically wrong. You just know you computer doesn’t work.
So the repair shop sends out a computer technician. While working on your computer, he also calls the shop. Unlike you, however, he knows how to describe what is needed. He uses words you don’t understand, but the person at the shop does, and soon your computer is repaired.
Your need is met because someone came and communicated to headquarters in words you could not express.
That is what the Holy Spirit does for us. When we don’t know how to pray, the Holy Spirit knows precisely what we need and prays in a language the Father understands perfectly.
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
Superlatives best describe God
“Superlatives” describe something of the highest possible excellence – of the highest order, quality, or degree – surpassing or superior to all others.
Superlatives best describe God.
• God’s greatness is “unsearchable” (Psalm 145:3).
• God as sovereign is “Most High” (Daniel 4:17).
• God pardons “freely” (Isaiah 55:7).
• God gives life “to the full” (John 10:10).
• God’s judgments are “unsearchable” (Romans 8:33).
• God’s gift of salvation is “indescribable” (2 Corinthians 9:15).
• Christ’s riches are “boundless” (Ephesians 3:8).
• God’s love “surpasses knowledge” (Ephesians 3:19).
• God is able to do “immeasurably more” (Ephesians 3:20).
• Jesus is exalted to the “highest place,” his name is “above every name” (Philippians 2:9).
• God’s peace “transcends all understanding” (Philippians 4:7).
These superlatives describe God, and they don’t describe anything but God!
Superlatives best describe God.
• God’s greatness is “unsearchable” (Psalm 145:3).
• God as sovereign is “Most High” (Daniel 4:17).
• God pardons “freely” (Isaiah 55:7).
• God gives life “to the full” (John 10:10).
• God’s judgments are “unsearchable” (Romans 8:33).
• God’s gift of salvation is “indescribable” (2 Corinthians 9:15).
• Christ’s riches are “boundless” (Ephesians 3:8).
• God’s love “surpasses knowledge” (Ephesians 3:19).
• God is able to do “immeasurably more” (Ephesians 3:20).
• Jesus is exalted to the “highest place,” his name is “above every name” (Philippians 2:9).
• God’s peace “transcends all understanding” (Philippians 4:7).
These superlatives describe God, and they don’t describe anything but God!
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Darkest Periods
“I can look back at my darkest periods and realize that these were the times when the Lord was holding me closest. But I couldn’t see his face because my face was in his breast – crying.” ~ John Michael Talbot
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Taxes
During the Christmas season, a Sunday School teacher asked his students: “Now, who decreed that all the world should be taxed?”
A student said: “The Democrats!”
A student said: “The Democrats!”
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
Do you have a Quiet Center?
Do you have a quiet center in your life?
For many of us our life motto seems to be, “When in trouble, when in doubt, run in circles, scream and shout.” God, however, invites us to be still and know that he is God (Psalm 46:10).
Be still: Let go. Relax your grip. End your struggle. Unclench your fist.
Be still: Pause. Step back. Let go of panic. Release your anxiety.
Be still: Quit struggling. Stop fighting. Shut out the noise. Get rid of distractions.
Be still: Quiet your heart. Cease striving. Quit racing around. Don’t sweat it.
Be still: Recognize God’s presence and power. Breathe.
“Be still, and know that I am God.”
For many of us our life motto seems to be, “When in trouble, when in doubt, run in circles, scream and shout.” God, however, invites us to be still and know that he is God (Psalm 46:10).
Be still: Let go. Relax your grip. End your struggle. Unclench your fist.
Be still: Pause. Step back. Let go of panic. Release your anxiety.
Be still: Quit struggling. Stop fighting. Shut out the noise. Get rid of distractions.
Be still: Quiet your heart. Cease striving. Quit racing around. Don’t sweat it.
Be still: Recognize God’s presence and power. Breathe.
“Be still, and know that I am God.”
Thursday, October 18, 2012
The Power of God's Word!
Thomas Brooks said, “The Word of the Lord is a light to guide you, a counselor to counsel you, a comforter to comfort you, a staff to support you, a sword to defend you, and a physician to cure you. The Word is a mine to enrich you, a robe to clothe you, and a crown to crown you.”
E. Stanley Jones added, “The Bible redirects my will, cleanses my emotions, enlightens my mind, and quickens my total being.”
Charles Colson stated, “Nothing has affected the rise and fall of civilization, the character of cultures, the structure of governments, and the lives of the inhabitants of this planet as profoundly as the words of the Bible.”
A.T. Pierson realized, “While other books inform, and some few reform, this one book transforms.”
And my favorite – Martin Luther declared, “The Bible is alive, it speaks to me; it has feet, it runs after me; it has hands, it lays hold of me.”
The Bible is God’s written revelation to us! It’s inspired! It’s alive! It’s powerful! It changes lives!
Friday, September 14, 2012
God will stand with you!
The apostle Paul said, "But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength" (2 Timothy 4:17).
Do you know what that means to have God stand by your side?
It means that the person of Jesus Christ comes alongside you in your pains and puts his hand on your shoulder.
He puts his arm around you to hold you up. He lets you lean on him when you feel wobbly. He allows your tears to fall on his shoulder.
He is an understanding friend who “sticks closer than a brother.” He will weep together with you, and he will wipe away the tears. He will help you stand up strong.
God will stand with you!
Do you know what that means to have God stand by your side?
It means that the person of Jesus Christ comes alongside you in your pains and puts his hand on your shoulder.
He puts his arm around you to hold you up. He lets you lean on him when you feel wobbly. He allows your tears to fall on his shoulder.
He is an understanding friend who “sticks closer than a brother.” He will weep together with you, and he will wipe away the tears. He will help you stand up strong.
God will stand with you!
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
What is Forbearance?
Forbearance is overlooking the faults, quirks, and opinions of others just as God looks beyond yours.
Forbearance means to “cut some slack” and to “give people room to be themselves” and “room to become what God desires” – without judgment.
A grandmother, celebrating her golden wedding anniversary, once told the secret of her long and happy marriage. She said, “On my wedding day, I decided to make a list of ten of my husband’s faults which, for the sake of our marriage, I would overlook.”
A guest asked the woman what were some of the faults she had chosen to overlook. The grandmother replied, “To tell you the truth, my dear, I never did get around to listing them. But whenever my husband did something that made me hopping mad, I would say to myself, Lucky for him that’s one of the ten!”
That's forbearance!
Forbearance means to “cut some slack” and to “give people room to be themselves” and “room to become what God desires” – without judgment.
A grandmother, celebrating her golden wedding anniversary, once told the secret of her long and happy marriage. She said, “On my wedding day, I decided to make a list of ten of my husband’s faults which, for the sake of our marriage, I would overlook.”
A guest asked the woman what were some of the faults she had chosen to overlook. The grandmother replied, “To tell you the truth, my dear, I never did get around to listing them. But whenever my husband did something that made me hopping mad, I would say to myself, Lucky for him that’s one of the ten!”
That's forbearance!
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
If you were God, what would you collect?
If you were God, what would you collect? What would you treasure in your portfolio?
Some people collect stamps or coins. Others collect dolls or teddy bears. Others collect antique cars or baseball cards.
God says, “Here are my treasures. Earth. Everything in it – plants, animals, minerals. All who live on earth – people from every tribe, language, people group, nation. I made them all. They’re all mine. I possess all things.”
That’s what it says about God in Psalm 24:1, “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.”
You and I might lay claim to a postage size plot of ground and everything piled up on it. But God owns it. The bank might try to hold the title deed. But the Bible says God owns the property, the deed, and the people that work at the bank. He is Creator and Possessor of All.
There is only one who stands out as one worthy of our worship . . .
○ The God of the Bible who created the earth and everything in it.
○ The God who possesses all things.
○ The God who owns the earth . . . and he’s not listing it for sale.
Some people collect stamps or coins. Others collect dolls or teddy bears. Others collect antique cars or baseball cards.
God says, “Here are my treasures. Earth. Everything in it – plants, animals, minerals. All who live on earth – people from every tribe, language, people group, nation. I made them all. They’re all mine. I possess all things.”
That’s what it says about God in Psalm 24:1, “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.”
You and I might lay claim to a postage size plot of ground and everything piled up on it. But God owns it. The bank might try to hold the title deed. But the Bible says God owns the property, the deed, and the people that work at the bank. He is Creator and Possessor of All.
There is only one who stands out as one worthy of our worship . . .
○ The God of the Bible who created the earth and everything in it.
○ The God who possesses all things.
○ The God who owns the earth . . . and he’s not listing it for sale.
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Not Getting What We Expect
A woman answered the knock at her door to find an obviously destitute man who wanted to earn some money by doing odd jobs. She was touched by his need and asked, “Can you paint?”
“Yes,” he said. “I’m a pretty good painter.”
“Well, here’s a gallon of green paint and a brush. Go around the house and you’ll see a porch that needs repainting. Be very careful. When you’re done, I’ll look it over and pay you what it’s worth.”
It wasn’t more than an hour before he knocked again. “All finished,” he reported.
“Did you do a good job?” she asked.
“Yes. But Lady, there’s one thing I’d like to point out to you. That’s not a Porsche back there. That’s a Mercedes.”
We don’t always get what we expect when we ask people to serve.
“Yes,” he said. “I’m a pretty good painter.”
“Well, here’s a gallon of green paint and a brush. Go around the house and you’ll see a porch that needs repainting. Be very careful. When you’re done, I’ll look it over and pay you what it’s worth.”
It wasn’t more than an hour before he knocked again. “All finished,” he reported.
“Did you do a good job?” she asked.
“Yes. But Lady, there’s one thing I’d like to point out to you. That’s not a Porsche back there. That’s a Mercedes.”
We don’t always get what we expect when we ask people to serve.
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Qualities God Shares with People -- #3 Infinite!
The third quality God shares with people is that God is infinite, exceeding all limits – space, time, knowledge & wisdom, power, constant.
God is unlimited in relation to space. He’s omnipresent. He is always everywhere. There is no place where he is not. 1 Kings 8:27 declares, “The heavens, even the highest heaven, cannot contain you.” God created space and is not limited by it.
God is unlimited in relation to time. He’s eternal. Psalm 90:2 says, “From everlasting to everlasting you are God.” Time doesn’t even apply to God – God is timeless. He created time and lives outside time. He is simultaneously in the past, present, and future – sees all events at once – and yet is aware of the succession of moments occurring within time. He exists without end or interruption.
God is unlimited in relation to knowledge and wisdom. He’s omniscient. He knows everything and how to apply it. Psalm 147:5 says, “His understanding has no limit.” He knows all the facts about everything. He knows every possibility from every direction. He knows all the details of the universe, and how to apply them perfectly in our lives to accomplish his plan.
God is unlimited in relation to power. He’s omnipotent. He can do anything. The angel told Mary in Luke 1:37, “For nothing is impossible with God.” He can fully carry out all he intends to do. He is in control of me and you – he is sovereign.
But God also has built-in limitations. He cannot do anything that would be contrary to his very nature. He cannot, for example, sin or do wrong or lie or fail or break one of his promises.
Plus, in all these qualities, God is constant – he does not and cannot change or develop or diminish. Hebrews 1:12 says about God, “You remain the same.” Of course, the Bible illustrates how God changes his mind in response to prayer. But to suggest that he can change or develop or diminish in his very nature is to suggest that he was previously less than he is now.
So what? Let’s put it all together. Since God is universally alive, there’s no place in time or space he cannot be. He cannot be taken by surprise. He is always and everywhere, accessible in our time of need, fully applying his infinite wisdom and power toward his plan and our good. Whatever our circumstances, we can always trust him to be consistent to do what’s right. Whatever our challenges, our problems, our fears, he knows and provides a solution fitting for our need. He is the ultimate and only fully trustworthy One. God is God and there is no one else like God.
God is unlimited in relation to space. He’s omnipresent. He is always everywhere. There is no place where he is not. 1 Kings 8:27 declares, “The heavens, even the highest heaven, cannot contain you.” God created space and is not limited by it.
God is unlimited in relation to time. He’s eternal. Psalm 90:2 says, “From everlasting to everlasting you are God.” Time doesn’t even apply to God – God is timeless. He created time and lives outside time. He is simultaneously in the past, present, and future – sees all events at once – and yet is aware of the succession of moments occurring within time. He exists without end or interruption.
God is unlimited in relation to knowledge and wisdom. He’s omniscient. He knows everything and how to apply it. Psalm 147:5 says, “His understanding has no limit.” He knows all the facts about everything. He knows every possibility from every direction. He knows all the details of the universe, and how to apply them perfectly in our lives to accomplish his plan.
God is unlimited in relation to power. He’s omnipotent. He can do anything. The angel told Mary in Luke 1:37, “For nothing is impossible with God.” He can fully carry out all he intends to do. He is in control of me and you – he is sovereign.
But God also has built-in limitations. He cannot do anything that would be contrary to his very nature. He cannot, for example, sin or do wrong or lie or fail or break one of his promises.
Plus, in all these qualities, God is constant – he does not and cannot change or develop or diminish. Hebrews 1:12 says about God, “You remain the same.” Of course, the Bible illustrates how God changes his mind in response to prayer. But to suggest that he can change or develop or diminish in his very nature is to suggest that he was previously less than he is now.
So what? Let’s put it all together. Since God is universally alive, there’s no place in time or space he cannot be. He cannot be taken by surprise. He is always and everywhere, accessible in our time of need, fully applying his infinite wisdom and power toward his plan and our good. Whatever our circumstances, we can always trust him to be consistent to do what’s right. Whatever our challenges, our problems, our fears, he knows and provides a solution fitting for our need. He is the ultimate and only fully trustworthy One. God is God and there is no one else like God.
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Qualities God Shares with People -- #2 Life!
God is alive, the very source of life. Jesus announced:
John 5:26 The Father has life in himself. . . .
As the source of life, God did not derive his life from anything or anyone else. No other life source exists. He is it! He has always been alive, which is in contrast to all created beings. Rather, he began life, and gave it to all created beings.
Furthermore, the continuation of his life doesn’t depend on anything else outside himself, because he is the eternal source of all life. He doesn’t even need to will his own existence – he simply is! God is alive, the very source of life.
John 5:26 The Father has life in himself. . . .
As the source of life, God did not derive his life from anything or anyone else. No other life source exists. He is it! He has always been alive, which is in contrast to all created beings. Rather, he began life, and gave it to all created beings.
Furthermore, the continuation of his life doesn’t depend on anything else outside himself, because he is the eternal source of all life. He doesn’t even need to will his own existence – he simply is! God is alive, the very source of life.
Thursday, December 22, 2011
How Does God Speak to Us? 33 Ways
How does God speak to us? This is a list of ways God can speak to us, an enumeration of the multiple contexts God’s message may be conveyed to us. We open up all the vents of our soul to hear God speaking to us. This list is only a beginning, for God can choose to speak to us any way God wants! As needed, God will confirm God’s speaking through a combination of various multiple means or increasing unfolding. There are also boundaries or parameters, so we do not go astray.
1. Verbal Communication - an internal, inaudible message through a word or words spoken through the still, small voice of God, or perhaps, on occasion, the audible voice of God. This communication could be a specific Scripture, a statement, a question, a command. The “still small voice” in 1 Kings 19:12 can also be translated “the sound of gentle stillness” or “a gentle whisper;” the Hebrew is literally “a voice, a small whisper.”
2. Mental Pictures - inner picture-images or symbols, or messages as parables; a picture flashed across the inner screen of our mind.
3. Encounter - a phenomenal experience with God without words, but leaving an overwhelming message or strong impression.
4. Vision - a series of pictorial messages or visual images, literal or symbolic, while awake. These may require some additional reflective and prayerful interpretation.
5. Dream - a series of pictorial messages or visual images, literal or symbolic, while asleep. There are two formats of dreams -- dreams arising from the subconscious mind that God uses to convey a message, and dreams that are directly heaven-sent from God. Dreams may require some additional reflective and prayerful interpretation.
6. Intellectual Reasoning - cognitive, mental processing and evaluating of data leading to clear conclusions like connecting pieces of a puzzle.
7. Imagination - inner images or concepts creatively conceived or formed through guided imagery.
8. Intuition - knowing spontaneously the right thing to do or say.
9. Conscience - knowing right from wrong. See Romans 2:15; 9:1.
10. Thoughts - ideas or principles, words or pictures that grow with increasing awareness, clarity, unfolding, intensity, conviction, or volume in the mind.
11. Emotions - a gut-level feeling, desire, impulse, impression, arresting concern, or insistent nudge.
12. Memory - the remembrance of an event, thought or Scripture previously learned. See John 2:22; 14:26.
13. Common Sense - the ordinary use of rational, good judgment through experience and logical thinking.
14. Observation - a quickening of insight when observing or reflecting on people, art or inanimate objects. For Scriptural examples of listening to God by observing inanimate objects, see Jeremiah and the potter’s wheel in Jeremiah 18:1-10, Amos and the plumb line in Amos 7:7-8, Saul and Samuel’s torn cloak in 1 Samuel 15:27-28.
15. Liturgy - a ritual ceremony or observance that emphasizes or drives home a certain reality or truth.
16. Nature - the silent shouting of God’s creation, or inner messages that occur through ordinary created objects such as a flower or a tree. See Psalm 19:1-4.
17. Circumstances - confirming situations and events that all seem to point in the same direction often combined with a profound sense of inner peace. See Colossians 3:15.
18. Signs and Wonders - external, more dramatic, supernatural and visible demonstrations of God’s love and power to help, heal, care or deliver.
19. Pain - physical suffering serving as God’s megaphone to gain our attention or teach some lesson.
20. Angels - messengers from God.
21. Theophany - a visible manifestation of God bringing a message. See Exodus 3:1-6.
22. Tongues and Interpretation - a spontaneous message from God in an unlearned language with interpretation in order to speak incisively to a situation, or bring immediate and profound comfort and peace to a person in distress.
23. Word of Wisdom - an appropriate, instantaneous insight for a particular occasion, to make a right decision, to discern good from evil, or to resolve, help or heal a particular situation or need.
24. Word of Knowledge - a fragment of knowledge or disclosure of truth implanted by God -- not learned through the mind -- about a particular person or situation for a specific purpose.
25. Prophecy - a timely message or utterance through an individual from God to strengthen, encourage or comfort that person or that group of people at that particular time. See 1 Corinthians 14:3.
26. Music - meditative or worshipful music that brings stillness, a sense of God’s presence, or a spirit of praise.
27. Bible - the holy, super-slow, spiritual reading and application of the Scriptures, and can include using the five senses of sight, hearing, smell, taste, and touch. This is sometimes described as “reading with the mind in the heart.” The written revelation of God’s Word is combined together with the way the Holy Spirit quickens particular portions as a direct word in a present circumstance.
28. Meditation - memorization, repetition and prayerful rumination of Scripture texts.
29. Devotional Classics - a holy, super-slow reading of spiritual writings.
30. Journaling - writing down times of communion or conversations with God.
31. Soul Friends - spiritual guides, godly friends or spouses who provide spiritual direction and counsel.
32. Collective Voice - the united voice and decision made by a group of believers.
33. Preaching and Teaching - public presentation of the Word of God and applied by the Holy Spirit to the individual.
What are the top three ways God frequently uses to speak to you? Which one is a current area of spiritual growth?
1. Verbal Communication - an internal, inaudible message through a word or words spoken through the still, small voice of God, or perhaps, on occasion, the audible voice of God. This communication could be a specific Scripture, a statement, a question, a command. The “still small voice” in 1 Kings 19:12 can also be translated “the sound of gentle stillness” or “a gentle whisper;” the Hebrew is literally “a voice, a small whisper.”
2. Mental Pictures - inner picture-images or symbols, or messages as parables; a picture flashed across the inner screen of our mind.
3. Encounter - a phenomenal experience with God without words, but leaving an overwhelming message or strong impression.
4. Vision - a series of pictorial messages or visual images, literal or symbolic, while awake. These may require some additional reflective and prayerful interpretation.
5. Dream - a series of pictorial messages or visual images, literal or symbolic, while asleep. There are two formats of dreams -- dreams arising from the subconscious mind that God uses to convey a message, and dreams that are directly heaven-sent from God. Dreams may require some additional reflective and prayerful interpretation.
6. Intellectual Reasoning - cognitive, mental processing and evaluating of data leading to clear conclusions like connecting pieces of a puzzle.
7. Imagination - inner images or concepts creatively conceived or formed through guided imagery.
8. Intuition - knowing spontaneously the right thing to do or say.
9. Conscience - knowing right from wrong. See Romans 2:15; 9:1.
10. Thoughts - ideas or principles, words or pictures that grow with increasing awareness, clarity, unfolding, intensity, conviction, or volume in the mind.
11. Emotions - a gut-level feeling, desire, impulse, impression, arresting concern, or insistent nudge.
12. Memory - the remembrance of an event, thought or Scripture previously learned. See John 2:22; 14:26.
13. Common Sense - the ordinary use of rational, good judgment through experience and logical thinking.
14. Observation - a quickening of insight when observing or reflecting on people, art or inanimate objects. For Scriptural examples of listening to God by observing inanimate objects, see Jeremiah and the potter’s wheel in Jeremiah 18:1-10, Amos and the plumb line in Amos 7:7-8, Saul and Samuel’s torn cloak in 1 Samuel 15:27-28.
15. Liturgy - a ritual ceremony or observance that emphasizes or drives home a certain reality or truth.
16. Nature - the silent shouting of God’s creation, or inner messages that occur through ordinary created objects such as a flower or a tree. See Psalm 19:1-4.
17. Circumstances - confirming situations and events that all seem to point in the same direction often combined with a profound sense of inner peace. See Colossians 3:15.
18. Signs and Wonders - external, more dramatic, supernatural and visible demonstrations of God’s love and power to help, heal, care or deliver.
19. Pain - physical suffering serving as God’s megaphone to gain our attention or teach some lesson.
20. Angels - messengers from God.
21. Theophany - a visible manifestation of God bringing a message. See Exodus 3:1-6.
22. Tongues and Interpretation - a spontaneous message from God in an unlearned language with interpretation in order to speak incisively to a situation, or bring immediate and profound comfort and peace to a person in distress.
23. Word of Wisdom - an appropriate, instantaneous insight for a particular occasion, to make a right decision, to discern good from evil, or to resolve, help or heal a particular situation or need.
24. Word of Knowledge - a fragment of knowledge or disclosure of truth implanted by God -- not learned through the mind -- about a particular person or situation for a specific purpose.
25. Prophecy - a timely message or utterance through an individual from God to strengthen, encourage or comfort that person or that group of people at that particular time. See 1 Corinthians 14:3.
26. Music - meditative or worshipful music that brings stillness, a sense of God’s presence, or a spirit of praise.
27. Bible - the holy, super-slow, spiritual reading and application of the Scriptures, and can include using the five senses of sight, hearing, smell, taste, and touch. This is sometimes described as “reading with the mind in the heart.” The written revelation of God’s Word is combined together with the way the Holy Spirit quickens particular portions as a direct word in a present circumstance.
28. Meditation - memorization, repetition and prayerful rumination of Scripture texts.
29. Devotional Classics - a holy, super-slow reading of spiritual writings.
30. Journaling - writing down times of communion or conversations with God.
31. Soul Friends - spiritual guides, godly friends or spouses who provide spiritual direction and counsel.
32. Collective Voice - the united voice and decision made by a group of believers.
33. Preaching and Teaching - public presentation of the Word of God and applied by the Holy Spirit to the individual.
What are the top three ways God frequently uses to speak to you? Which one is a current area of spiritual growth?
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Qualities God Shares with People -- #1 Personal
If those are qualities unique to God, what about these qualities God shares with people? Let’s focus on four primary aspects.
The first quality God shares with people is that God is personal, rather than impersonal.
When Moses encountered God in Exodus 3:14 -- "God said to Moses, 'I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’”
When God announces his name to Moses, God shows that he exists as a person. Even responding to a question reveals personality. The living God speaks!
God possesses personal traits like self-consciousness, intellect, will, and self-determination. He thinks, feels, chooses, and enjoys relationships with other personal beings like us. God is personal, rather than impersonal.
The first quality God shares with people is that God is personal, rather than impersonal.
When Moses encountered God in Exodus 3:14 -- "God said to Moses, 'I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’”
When God announces his name to Moses, God shows that he exists as a person. Even responding to a question reveals personality. The living God speaks!
God possesses personal traits like self-consciousness, intellect, will, and self-determination. He thinks, feels, chooses, and enjoys relationships with other personal beings like us. God is personal, rather than impersonal.
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Qualitites Unique to God - #3 Infinite
The third quality unique to God is infinite.
God is infinite, exceeding all limits – space, time, knowledge & wisdom, power, constant.
God is unlimited in relation to space. He’s omnipresent. He is always everywhere. There is no place where he is not. 1 Kings 8:27 declares, “The heavens, even the highest heaven, cannot contain you.” God created space and is not limited by it.
God is unlimited in relation to time. He’s eternal. Psalm 90:2 says, “From everlasting to everlasting you are God.” Time doesn’t even apply to God – God is timeless. He created time and lives outside time. He is simultaneously in the past, present, and future – sees all events at once – and yet is aware of the succession of moments occurring within time. He exists without end or interruption.
God is unlimited in relation to knowledge and wisdom. He’s omniscient. He knows everything and how to apply it. Psalm 147:5 says, “His understanding has no limit.” He knows all the facts about everything. He knows every possibility from every direction. He knows all the details of the universe, and how to apply them perfectly in our lives to accomplish his plan.
God is unlimited in relation to power. He’s omnipotent. He can do anything. The angel told Mary in Luke 1:37, “For nothing is impossible with God.” He can fully carry out all he intends to do. He is in control of me and you – he is sovereign.
But God also has built-in limitations. He cannot do anything that would be contrary to his very nature. He cannot, for example, sin or do wrong or lie or fail or break one of his promises.
Plus, in all these qualities, God is constant – he does not and cannot change or develop or diminish. Hebrews 1:12 says about God, “You remain the same.” Of course, the Bible illustrates how God changes his mind in response to prayer. But to suggest that he can change or develop or diminish in his very nature is to suggest that he was previously less than he is now.
So what? Let’s put it all together. Since God is universally alive, there’s no place in time or space he cannot be. He cannot be taken by surprise. He is always and everywhere, accessible in our time of need, fully applying his infinite wisdom and power toward his plan and our good. Whatever our circumstances, we can always trust him to be consistent to do what’s right. Whatever our challenges, our problems, our fears, he knows and provides a solution fitting for our need. He is the ultimate and only fully trustworthy One. God is God and there is no one else like God.
God is infinite, exceeding all limits – space, time, knowledge & wisdom, power, constant.
God is unlimited in relation to space. He’s omnipresent. He is always everywhere. There is no place where he is not. 1 Kings 8:27 declares, “The heavens, even the highest heaven, cannot contain you.” God created space and is not limited by it.
God is unlimited in relation to time. He’s eternal. Psalm 90:2 says, “From everlasting to everlasting you are God.” Time doesn’t even apply to God – God is timeless. He created time and lives outside time. He is simultaneously in the past, present, and future – sees all events at once – and yet is aware of the succession of moments occurring within time. He exists without end or interruption.
God is unlimited in relation to knowledge and wisdom. He’s omniscient. He knows everything and how to apply it. Psalm 147:5 says, “His understanding has no limit.” He knows all the facts about everything. He knows every possibility from every direction. He knows all the details of the universe, and how to apply them perfectly in our lives to accomplish his plan.
God is unlimited in relation to power. He’s omnipotent. He can do anything. The angel told Mary in Luke 1:37, “For nothing is impossible with God.” He can fully carry out all he intends to do. He is in control of me and you – he is sovereign.
But God also has built-in limitations. He cannot do anything that would be contrary to his very nature. He cannot, for example, sin or do wrong or lie or fail or break one of his promises.
Plus, in all these qualities, God is constant – he does not and cannot change or develop or diminish. Hebrews 1:12 says about God, “You remain the same.” Of course, the Bible illustrates how God changes his mind in response to prayer. But to suggest that he can change or develop or diminish in his very nature is to suggest that he was previously less than he is now.
So what? Let’s put it all together. Since God is universally alive, there’s no place in time or space he cannot be. He cannot be taken by surprise. He is always and everywhere, accessible in our time of need, fully applying his infinite wisdom and power toward his plan and our good. Whatever our circumstances, we can always trust him to be consistent to do what’s right. Whatever our challenges, our problems, our fears, he knows and provides a solution fitting for our need. He is the ultimate and only fully trustworthy One. God is God and there is no one else like God.
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Qualitites Unique to God - #2 Life
The second quality unique to God is LIFE!
God is alive, the very source of life. Jesus announced: "The Father has life in himself" (John 5:26).
As the source of life, God did not derive his life from anything or anyone else. No other life source exists. He is it! He has always been alive, which is in contrast to all created beings. Rather, he began life, and gave it to all created beings.
Furthermore, the continuation of his life doesn’t depend on anything else outside himself, because he is the eternal source of all life. He doesn’t even need to will his own existence – he simply is! God is alive, the very source of life.
God is alive, the very source of life. Jesus announced: "The Father has life in himself" (John 5:26).
As the source of life, God did not derive his life from anything or anyone else. No other life source exists. He is it! He has always been alive, which is in contrast to all created beings. Rather, he began life, and gave it to all created beings.
Furthermore, the continuation of his life doesn’t depend on anything else outside himself, because he is the eternal source of all life. He doesn’t even need to will his own existence – he simply is! God is alive, the very source of life.
Friday, October 21, 2011
Qualities Unique to God - #1 Spirit
What about these Qualities Unique to God? Let’s focus on three primary aspects.
God is spirit, not physical substance. Jesus said in John 4:24, "God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth."
This means that God is immaterial and invisible. As spirit, he preexisted everything physical, and he created everything physical. As spirit, God is indestructible and immeasurable. As spirit, he is unlimited by time or space.
Even when the Bible refers to the "eyes" or "hands" of God, this is just figurative language to help us comprehend God’s actions. God sees, yes, but he does not have physical eyes like we do. God does things, yes, but he does not have physical hands like we do. God is spirit, not physical substance.
This quality makes God unique.
God is spirit, not physical substance. Jesus said in John 4:24, "God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth."
This means that God is immaterial and invisible. As spirit, he preexisted everything physical, and he created everything physical. As spirit, God is indestructible and immeasurable. As spirit, he is unlimited by time or space.
Even when the Bible refers to the "eyes" or "hands" of God, this is just figurative language to help us comprehend God’s actions. God sees, yes, but he does not have physical eyes like we do. God does things, yes, but he does not have physical hands like we do. God is spirit, not physical substance.
This quality makes God unique.
Monday, October 10, 2011
Qualities that are True About God
What are the basic characteristics of God? What can we say about God’s being? Where do we even begin?
The attributes of God are qualities that are true about God. The attributes are God are organized in different ways. Though this might not resolve all the issues, the paradigm that has been most helpful to me is this. I like to think of:
Qualities unique to God – qualities that describe what God’s unique character is like. God is Triune, self-existent, self-sufficient, transcendent, immutable, infinite, eternal, omnipresent, omnipotent, omniscient, sovereign.
Qualities God shares with people – qualities that describe what God’s common character is like. God is personal, good, loving, patient, merciful, gracious, faithful, holy, righteous, just, truthful, wise.
So, on one hand, God has attributes quite unlike anything else in the universe. God is God, and there is no one like him. God is bigger than big!
Yet, on the other hand, many of God’s characteristics are shared in some degree with us human beings. We are created in his image, which makes it possible for us to understand some aspects of what he is like, except God has all these qualities in perfection!
Plus, God maintains all these qualities perfectly and in balance. Most of us find we can be loving or angry, forgiving or jealous, compassionate or holy – but not both at once. God is under no such limitations.
For example, God’s unlimited power and personal love are never in conflict with each other. His love and his wrath are not in opposition to each other. Specifically, in his compassion, God loves the sinner. In his holiness, God hates the sin. And in his justice, he must punish the sin.
The attributes of God are qualities that are true about God. The attributes are God are organized in different ways. Though this might not resolve all the issues, the paradigm that has been most helpful to me is this. I like to think of:
Qualities unique to God – qualities that describe what God’s unique character is like. God is Triune, self-existent, self-sufficient, transcendent, immutable, infinite, eternal, omnipresent, omnipotent, omniscient, sovereign.
Qualities God shares with people – qualities that describe what God’s common character is like. God is personal, good, loving, patient, merciful, gracious, faithful, holy, righteous, just, truthful, wise.
So, on one hand, God has attributes quite unlike anything else in the universe. God is God, and there is no one like him. God is bigger than big!
Yet, on the other hand, many of God’s characteristics are shared in some degree with us human beings. We are created in his image, which makes it possible for us to understand some aspects of what he is like, except God has all these qualities in perfection!
Plus, God maintains all these qualities perfectly and in balance. Most of us find we can be loving or angry, forgiving or jealous, compassionate or holy – but not both at once. God is under no such limitations.
For example, God’s unlimited power and personal love are never in conflict with each other. His love and his wrath are not in opposition to each other. Specifically, in his compassion, God loves the sinner. In his holiness, God hates the sin. And in his justice, he must punish the sin.
Thursday, October 6, 2011
How do you define God?
A little boy was found by his mother with pencil and paper, making a sketch. When asked what he was doing, he answered promptly, and with considerable pride: "I am drawing a picture of God."
"But, grasped the shocked mother, "you cannot do that. No one has seen God. No one knows how God looks."
"Well," the little boy replied confidently, "when I get through, they will."
The topic of God seems so simple, and yet it may be one of the hardest to talk about. Volumes could be said. Theological explanations can get us bogged down. We can talk about concepts that don’t connect with our real lives. If someone asked you to describe God, where would you begin?
The kind of struggle we face in describing God was illustrated among the Presbyterians when they were debating how to define God in their Westminster Confession of Faith. The debate was intense and so frustrating, they could not agree. Finally someone suggested that they pray, and a man prayed beginning with his address to God:
"There is but one only, living, and true God, who is infinite in being and perfection, a most pure spirit, invisible, without body, parts, or passions; immutable, immense, eternal, incomprehensible, almighty, most wise, most holy, most free, most absolute; working all things according to the counsel of His own immutable and most righteous will, for His own glory; most loving, gracious, merciful, long-suffering, abundant in goodness and truth, forgiving iniquity, transgression, and sin; the rewarder of them that diligently seek Him; and withal, most just, and terrible in His judgments, hating all sin, and who will by no means clear the guilty."
He we on to make his request for God’s help. After his prayer, he sat down, and they said, "What did he just say? Let’s write that down! That’s our confession of faith about God!" They later added supporting Scripture. They had their definition of God and is included in their Westminister Confession of Faith (1646).
A shorter definition is found in the Nicene Creed written centuries before, "We believe in one God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible." ~ Nicene Creed (325 A.D.)
Where would you begin to define God?
"But, grasped the shocked mother, "you cannot do that. No one has seen God. No one knows how God looks."
"Well," the little boy replied confidently, "when I get through, they will."
The topic of God seems so simple, and yet it may be one of the hardest to talk about. Volumes could be said. Theological explanations can get us bogged down. We can talk about concepts that don’t connect with our real lives. If someone asked you to describe God, where would you begin?
The kind of struggle we face in describing God was illustrated among the Presbyterians when they were debating how to define God in their Westminster Confession of Faith. The debate was intense and so frustrating, they could not agree. Finally someone suggested that they pray, and a man prayed beginning with his address to God:
"There is but one only, living, and true God, who is infinite in being and perfection, a most pure spirit, invisible, without body, parts, or passions; immutable, immense, eternal, incomprehensible, almighty, most wise, most holy, most free, most absolute; working all things according to the counsel of His own immutable and most righteous will, for His own glory; most loving, gracious, merciful, long-suffering, abundant in goodness and truth, forgiving iniquity, transgression, and sin; the rewarder of them that diligently seek Him; and withal, most just, and terrible in His judgments, hating all sin, and who will by no means clear the guilty."
He we on to make his request for God’s help. After his prayer, he sat down, and they said, "What did he just say? Let’s write that down! That’s our confession of faith about God!" They later added supporting Scripture. They had their definition of God and is included in their Westminister Confession of Faith (1646).
A shorter definition is found in the Nicene Creed written centuries before, "We believe in one God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible." ~ Nicene Creed (325 A.D.)
Where would you begin to define God?
Thursday, June 16, 2011
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Okay, let me answer this question: What more popular systematic theology books have I found especially useful recently as a pastor/preacher for insights and for communication?
Bruce Bickel and Stan Jantz, "Bruce & Stan’s Guide to God: A User-Friendly Approach" (Eugene, Or.: Harvest House Publishers, 1997). High school level, but strong on communication.
Rick Cornish, "5 Minute Theologian: Maximum Truth in Minimum Time" (Colorado Springs, Co.: NavPress, 2004). Excellent definitions and summaries.
Bruce Demarest and Keith J. Matthews, eds., "Dictionary of Everyday Theology and Culture" (Colorado Springs, Co.: Navpress, 2010). Very good at answering "so what?"
Mark Driscoll & Gerry Breshears, "Doctrine: What Christians Should Believe" (Wheaton, Il.: Crossway, 2010). Good Reformed presentation; weak on the Holy Spirit and end times.
Don Thorsen, "An Exploration of Christian Theology" (Peabody, Ma.: Hendrickson Publishers, 2008). Excellent non-Reformed presentation.