Sin doesn't make sense - it is not rational. It is not necessarily emotional, nor always volitional. It is a mystery. Who understands it? Sin just is. We cannot explain sin, nor understand it. It is in a sense unknown. Its opposite is Christ Jesus.
When I begin to study, then manage, control, and understand myself - then I hope to develop a technique of victory over sin. Though this is commendable and perhaps useful, it is ultimately ineffective unless Christ's Person is the source. For days or years, I believe I am able by technique or spiritual disciplines to overcome sin. Then sin happens. The fountain of the human heart churns with the resentment, the dissatisfaction, unbelief, even the subtle cursing behind the secret words, the pride, adulteries, lies, and hypocrisies emerge.
No, sin is a curse, a mystery, and part of our nature that is still present with us. The only answer is Christ in every sense. Christ obeyed. We did not obey. Christ died for us. Christ rose. Christ lives. He is our salvation. He is our everything.
God has addressed the mystery of sin with another mystery: the mystery of His love, the mystery of His Son. He gave His Son and if He did that, how will He not with Him freely give us all things - even a new life based upon His grace, not our noble efforts alone (Romans 3:23).
Grace abounds - His Son lives for us!
Thursday, March 20, 2014
Thursday, November 21, 2013
Kindness and Edification
Life has touching moments. A child scrapes his knee, and his mom comforts him with kisses and kind words. A young lady sobs at night, her father strokes her forehead. A young man stares in disillusionment, stunned by realizing he has failed in school. He is so saddened. He is deeply discouraged.
There was a time early in my Christian life when I realized Jesus Christ cared for me. I was sitting in a church listening to the pastor preach. I cannot put my finger on it, but I could see Christ caring for me.
The Scripture teaches He is our High Priest in Hebrews 5:2-3. The two essential points about any high priest are human sympathy (Hebrews 5:1-3) and divine appointment (Hebrews 5:4).
Of course, if God loves us, then He must in human terms come to us, be with us, and care for us in our pain and sadness. A man cannot take this calling upon himself out of need or human sentiment. God must call him for this purpose. Christ was called and walked with His Father for this very purpose: to identify with us in hunger, sadness, pain, loneliness, and deep discouragement. He has been touched with the feelings of our infirmities.
Collapse into His care - He is with you. He will comfort you and help you. He knows and He cares.
There was a time early in my Christian life when I realized Jesus Christ cared for me. I was sitting in a church listening to the pastor preach. I cannot put my finger on it, but I could see Christ caring for me.
The Scripture teaches He is our High Priest in Hebrews 5:2-3. The two essential points about any high priest are human sympathy (Hebrews 5:1-3) and divine appointment (Hebrews 5:4).
Of course, if God loves us, then He must in human terms come to us, be with us, and care for us in our pain and sadness. A man cannot take this calling upon himself out of need or human sentiment. God must call him for this purpose. Christ was called and walked with His Father for this very purpose: to identify with us in hunger, sadness, pain, loneliness, and deep discouragement. He has been touched with the feelings of our infirmities.
Collapse into His care - He is with you. He will comfort you and help you. He knows and He cares.
Tuesday, September 10, 2013
A House is NOT a Home
Recently, in Baltimore, a car load of us passed by a few blocks of newly built houses. They were architecturally "homey" with beautiful bright colors - red, yellow, and pastel blues, with small yards and nooks and crannies of various shapes and configurations. Big, ugly apartment buildings built in the 1950s were torn down to make room for these lovely 21st century houses.
Looking at those beautiful homes provoked questions. Are there families that live in them? Are the families connected? Are they talking? Are they caring? Do they have a sense of value in regards to a home? Is there a dad? Do they resolve conflicts? Do they leave their emotions at the door? Does dad have a vision for his family? Does mom support dad in the vision? Is God in the home? Do the children have family memories to cherish? A house, four walls and a roof, cannot produce a home. What does it take?
This month we are teaching a series on "The Home Front." Consider the challenge:
* 85 percent of the babies born in Pittsburgh do not have a father present
* The teenage suicide rate has tripled since 1968 across our country
* 1.5 million babies a year are aborted in the U.S.
* Wife beating and sexual abuse of girls under 16 years of age is at an all-time high.
* How many of us know a divorcee? The divorce rate hovers at 50%
The proverb that states "wisdom has built her house but the foolish pluck it down with her hands" is very relevant (Proverbs 14:1). We must make every effort to help one another in this great enterprise of raising a family. People need our help. We have been blessed by God's grace in living a full life through the wisdom that comes from above. Our lives are not perfect, but we have found a divine resource. We have found the Word of God speaking. We have found the gifts of Christ in the Body of Christ. We have found the power to deny ourselves for the good of the family. We have found good friendships - where iron sharpens iron. People all around us need help and encouragement and godly advice. It is a great gift to us that we have more than houses, we have homes.
Looking at those beautiful homes provoked questions. Are there families that live in them? Are the families connected? Are they talking? Are they caring? Do they have a sense of value in regards to a home? Is there a dad? Do they resolve conflicts? Do they leave their emotions at the door? Does dad have a vision for his family? Does mom support dad in the vision? Is God in the home? Do the children have family memories to cherish? A house, four walls and a roof, cannot produce a home. What does it take?
This month we are teaching a series on "The Home Front." Consider the challenge:
* 85 percent of the babies born in Pittsburgh do not have a father present
* The teenage suicide rate has tripled since 1968 across our country
* 1.5 million babies a year are aborted in the U.S.
* Wife beating and sexual abuse of girls under 16 years of age is at an all-time high.
* How many of us know a divorcee? The divorce rate hovers at 50%
The proverb that states "wisdom has built her house but the foolish pluck it down with her hands" is very relevant (Proverbs 14:1). We must make every effort to help one another in this great enterprise of raising a family. People need our help. We have been blessed by God's grace in living a full life through the wisdom that comes from above. Our lives are not perfect, but we have found a divine resource. We have found the Word of God speaking. We have found the gifts of Christ in the Body of Christ. We have found the power to deny ourselves for the good of the family. We have found good friendships - where iron sharpens iron. People all around us need help and encouragement and godly advice. It is a great gift to us that we have more than houses, we have homes.
Thursday, June 13, 2013
Seven Fat Cows, Seven Skinny Cows
The king of ancient Egypt had a dream that kept him mystified. A Jew in his prison did not know but the stage was now set for his promotion. Pharaoh's butler recalled meeting Joseph and Joseph's ability to interpret dreams accurately. Pharaoh urgently summoned Joseph. Joseph made it clear: "It is not in me; God will give Pharaoh an answer of peace" (Genesis 41:16).
The dream essentially was this: Pharaoh saw seven fat cows come out of the river, then seven skinny cows. The seven skinny cows ate the seven fat cows and remained skinny (Gen. 41:1-4; 41:17-21). Joseph understood the meaning and explained. Egypt would have seven years of abundance and plenty, followed by seven years of famine. When the 14 years passed, there would be no trace of fatness.
Now Egypt is a type or a metaphor for the world, naturally speaking. It does not represent God, God's ways, grace or the Kingdom of God. It represents natural law, death, bondage, and slavery. This representation collaborates with the dream of the cows. The world may have some "fat" years, but in time the wind of change blows fiercely - and skinny cows appear on the scene. Even after devouring the fat cows, they remain skinny.
There is a reason for the skinniness of the world. The thought of this world lacks content. The spirit of the age seeks its own interests regardless of truth. Truth essentially means "life my way." There is no truth, or there is this attitude: "I will let you know what truth is to me when I want to let you know." This is all very convenient to the human race that is gorging itself on its passions.
It is too easy for those of the world to excuse themselves using one another as cover. "Everyone does it" is the mantra. How about this excuse: "I didn't know." (Did I want to know?) "No, I did not see the speed limit sign officer."
No wonder the skinny cows stay skinny - there is no substance in this world. Where is the content, where is the thought, where is the stuff that gives us courage and reason? Is there anything left to die for?
Yes there is. When a person knows Christ then he also discovers truth. Christ is truth. Christ fills us and we discover the mystery of the living God. His economy is different from the world which always takes from you. He gives to you and gives deeply. The result is life changing meaning. Content that exponentially increases. We are the full ones.
The dream essentially was this: Pharaoh saw seven fat cows come out of the river, then seven skinny cows. The seven skinny cows ate the seven fat cows and remained skinny (Gen. 41:1-4; 41:17-21). Joseph understood the meaning and explained. Egypt would have seven years of abundance and plenty, followed by seven years of famine. When the 14 years passed, there would be no trace of fatness.
Now Egypt is a type or a metaphor for the world, naturally speaking. It does not represent God, God's ways, grace or the Kingdom of God. It represents natural law, death, bondage, and slavery. This representation collaborates with the dream of the cows. The world may have some "fat" years, but in time the wind of change blows fiercely - and skinny cows appear on the scene. Even after devouring the fat cows, they remain skinny.
There is a reason for the skinniness of the world. The thought of this world lacks content. The spirit of the age seeks its own interests regardless of truth. Truth essentially means "life my way." There is no truth, or there is this attitude: "I will let you know what truth is to me when I want to let you know." This is all very convenient to the human race that is gorging itself on its passions.
It is too easy for those of the world to excuse themselves using one another as cover. "Everyone does it" is the mantra. How about this excuse: "I didn't know." (Did I want to know?) "No, I did not see the speed limit sign officer."
No wonder the skinny cows stay skinny - there is no substance in this world. Where is the content, where is the thought, where is the stuff that gives us courage and reason? Is there anything left to die for?
Yes there is. When a person knows Christ then he also discovers truth. Christ is truth. Christ fills us and we discover the mystery of the living God. His economy is different from the world which always takes from you. He gives to you and gives deeply. The result is life changing meaning. Content that exponentially increases. We are the full ones.
Thursday, March 21, 2013
A Few Proverbs
Often, I read a chapter from Proverbs in the morning. Usually, a single proverb is packed with one simple, profound truth that can be re-phrased with a sentence or two, or illustrated with a short story. The thoughts can linger in our minds through the day.
Here are a few from today's meditation:
Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful and the end of that mirth is heaviness - (Proverbs 14:13). We have heard of circus clowns that suffer from depression. They make the crowd laugh, enjoy it only to return to their heaviness. Christ is the answer.
The evil bow before the good, and the wicked at the gates of the righteous - (Proverbs 14:19). How the evil must hate bowing before the divine good. They deny it, detest it, resist it, contradict it, refuse it - but this stubborn reality persists. It does not bend. Haman hated leading Mordecai around Shushan on the king's horse.
Another point - evil exists because it is contra-good. It cannot stand on its own. It is actually caused. Divine good is uncaused and unconditional. Evil is conditional; therefore, it could never by this attribute supersede the unconditional good. By this logic, there would not be atheism without God. Believing there is not God is possible because of living in the structure of time, space, human consciousness, etc. -- all of which have been made by SOMEONE. Which is greater? The CREATOR or the structure or a part of the structure itself?
Lastly, - The poor is hated of his own neighbor, but the rich hath many friends - (Proverbs 14:20). We can imagine a refugee camp in the third world that is essentially poor. Neighbors may add sorrow to sorrow by not caring for each other. Jealousy, frustration, evil words and attitudes break out. Misery can produce misery. How can the chain be broken?
Christ brings new life and love into the heart. Pastor Scibelli met a young man in such a camp in Ghana. He is now an effective, wise man of God. His name is Pastor Alfred from Liberia.
Here are a few from today's meditation:
Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful and the end of that mirth is heaviness - (Proverbs 14:13). We have heard of circus clowns that suffer from depression. They make the crowd laugh, enjoy it only to return to their heaviness. Christ is the answer.
The evil bow before the good, and the wicked at the gates of the righteous - (Proverbs 14:19). How the evil must hate bowing before the divine good. They deny it, detest it, resist it, contradict it, refuse it - but this stubborn reality persists. It does not bend. Haman hated leading Mordecai around Shushan on the king's horse.
Another point - evil exists because it is contra-good. It cannot stand on its own. It is actually caused. Divine good is uncaused and unconditional. Evil is conditional; therefore, it could never by this attribute supersede the unconditional good. By this logic, there would not be atheism without God. Believing there is not God is possible because of living in the structure of time, space, human consciousness, etc. -- all of which have been made by SOMEONE. Which is greater? The CREATOR or the structure or a part of the structure itself?
Lastly, - The poor is hated of his own neighbor, but the rich hath many friends - (Proverbs 14:20). We can imagine a refugee camp in the third world that is essentially poor. Neighbors may add sorrow to sorrow by not caring for each other. Jealousy, frustration, evil words and attitudes break out. Misery can produce misery. How can the chain be broken?
Christ brings new life and love into the heart. Pastor Scibelli met a young man in such a camp in Ghana. He is now an effective, wise man of God. His name is Pastor Alfred from Liberia.
Monday, March 4, 2013
Meet The Person, Hear His Voice
Recently, a man came to me and shared his testimony of personal victory over a sinful habit. He explained that he had been a Christian for 15 years but had constantly wrestled with the sin of pornography. He explained that sometimes he denied himself for three months, only to go back to it again. He fasted, prayed and struggled. He sat before me to share that his struggle was over, he was free. He said "God has set me free, the fight is over. I am free." He sat back in his chair with a simple joy on his face. "I am free" he said. He shared his joy with me with no explanation - except the simple words "I am free."
Hilda was a prostitute from Costa Rica who explained her incredible story with writer and author, Philip Yancey. "My family had no money and so when I was four years old, my mother sold me into sexual slavery...every night I cried myself to sleep. When I was a teenager I had two children. One day a customer got furious...he worked me over with a baseball bat...lying in the hospital bed I plotted to kill myself. I was desperate. Maybe if I just pulled out all the tubes...instead I got on my knees and pleaded with God. And then God gave me a miracle, a vision. He said 'look for Rahab Foundation.' I could barely read and didn't know the word 'Rahab.' It's not a Spanish word. One of the nurses helped me find their phone number..." This organization, named after a prostitute in the Bible, nursed Hilda to health. Christ gave her a new life. - What Good is God? by Philip Yancey; pages 70, 71. The details of this story, Hilda hearing from God these words unknown to her, touch the heart.
God hears the cry of the prisoner. This week we will be at our International Conference in Budapest, Hungary celebrating this message of freedom among hundreds of God's servants who they themselves know the freedom in Christ and share it with others. They bring similar stories.
We are honored to walk in such grace.
Hilda was a prostitute from Costa Rica who explained her incredible story with writer and author, Philip Yancey. "My family had no money and so when I was four years old, my mother sold me into sexual slavery...every night I cried myself to sleep. When I was a teenager I had two children. One day a customer got furious...he worked me over with a baseball bat...lying in the hospital bed I plotted to kill myself. I was desperate. Maybe if I just pulled out all the tubes...instead I got on my knees and pleaded with God. And then God gave me a miracle, a vision. He said 'look for Rahab Foundation.' I could barely read and didn't know the word 'Rahab.' It's not a Spanish word. One of the nurses helped me find their phone number..." This organization, named after a prostitute in the Bible, nursed Hilda to health. Christ gave her a new life. - What Good is God? by Philip Yancey; pages 70, 71. The details of this story, Hilda hearing from God these words unknown to her, touch the heart.
God hears the cry of the prisoner. This week we will be at our International Conference in Budapest, Hungary celebrating this message of freedom among hundreds of God's servants who they themselves know the freedom in Christ and share it with others. They bring similar stories.
We are honored to walk in such grace.
Monday, January 7, 2013
To Everything There Is A Season
"To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven:
A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance" (Ecclesiastes 3:1-4).
The New Year is upon us and in many ways, as Ecclesiastes reveals, it will be like all other years. Some will be born, some will die. There will be weeping, tears, and also laughter. We celebrate as we turn the page on our calendars, but things are not that different. Really, there is nothing new; we live in the same world. The earth begins another trip around the sun and we mark this, we see the times and the seasons. We recognize and reflect on what has happened and look forward to what's ahead.
David wrote in Psalm 90 that 70 or 80 years is a good, long life if it is lived in the purpose of God. We are to ask God to teach us how to "number our days" -- we are to number not our years, but our days (Ps. 90:12). There are only so many for each of us.
Let's refuse to manage our life our way; may we learn to go with the flow of what God is doing. If something is lost, recognize that this could be the hand of God at work. If something is gained, that, too, will come from Him.
"A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones; A time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; a time to gain, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to throw away; a time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; a time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace" (Ecclesiastes 3:5-8).
Will this year bring wars? Yes, but we also hope for peace. Yet we know that this is a strange and changing world. We see God at work, but also we see the heart brokenness and death. We were not made for death and its sting. We hope not to see so much of it. If we do see death, we know that Jesus, who wept at the tomb of Lazarus (John 11), knows about it and is moved by it, too.
Here's good news: we will be present with the Lord -- soon, we hope. There will be no more tears, no more sorrows, no more hospitals, no more police stations, no more losing. Then and there will be only gaining, only increasing in understanding the deep things.
Our hope and our knowledge is in Him who never changes. By His great counsels, we are able to be giant-killers and branches reaching over strong walls; we are able to grow as missionaries, pastors, leaders, and servants.
May this year bring new chapters in our lives with God. Let it be a year of God doing something. Let's ask Him for His mercy. May He shower us with His love, answer our prayers, encourage us, and empower us. May He stir in us a hunger and a desire that we haven't had recently.
Let us think about God's love for us. Let us think of God's healing for us, His faithfulness to us, and His way for us. He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance" (Ecclesiastes 3:1-4).
The New Year is upon us and in many ways, as Ecclesiastes reveals, it will be like all other years. Some will be born, some will die. There will be weeping, tears, and also laughter. We celebrate as we turn the page on our calendars, but things are not that different. Really, there is nothing new; we live in the same world. The earth begins another trip around the sun and we mark this, we see the times and the seasons. We recognize and reflect on what has happened and look forward to what's ahead.
David wrote in Psalm 90 that 70 or 80 years is a good, long life if it is lived in the purpose of God. We are to ask God to teach us how to "number our days" -- we are to number not our years, but our days (Ps. 90:12). There are only so many for each of us.
Let's refuse to manage our life our way; may we learn to go with the flow of what God is doing. If something is lost, recognize that this could be the hand of God at work. If something is gained, that, too, will come from Him.
"A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones; A time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; a time to gain, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to throw away; a time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; a time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace" (Ecclesiastes 3:5-8).
Will this year bring wars? Yes, but we also hope for peace. Yet we know that this is a strange and changing world. We see God at work, but also we see the heart brokenness and death. We were not made for death and its sting. We hope not to see so much of it. If we do see death, we know that Jesus, who wept at the tomb of Lazarus (John 11), knows about it and is moved by it, too.
Here's good news: we will be present with the Lord -- soon, we hope. There will be no more tears, no more sorrows, no more hospitals, no more police stations, no more losing. Then and there will be only gaining, only increasing in understanding the deep things.
Our hope and our knowledge is in Him who never changes. By His great counsels, we are able to be giant-killers and branches reaching over strong walls; we are able to grow as missionaries, pastors, leaders, and servants.
May this year bring new chapters in our lives with God. Let it be a year of God doing something. Let's ask Him for His mercy. May He shower us with His love, answer our prayers, encourage us, and empower us. May He stir in us a hunger and a desire that we haven't had recently.
Let us think about God's love for us. Let us think of God's healing for us, His faithfulness to us, and His way for us. He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
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