Last week I was biting my tongue, trying to obey 1 Peter and not say all the many responses that were running through my head.
Three other highschoolers and I were beginning a team project that will not be done until June. It felt more like they were a team and I was an outsider. They all go to the local public art school, and I’m "just" a homeschooler. They are all good friends and get along really well, but I’m the "different" one. I don’t mind being different or on the outside, but it’s hard feeling like I’m not wanted. Two of them are quiet and generally speak only when spoken to, but the other one talks to them but ignores me, talking to me only to critique me or blame me for making a mistake when it wasn’t my fault. It hurts to be ignored, critiqued, and treated as the outsider, especially when you are all on the same team! And so, I found myself just about bursting with all the things I really wanted to say. I didn’t do anything to deserve the comments, but I was not about to spoil my witness by venting my feelings in front of everyone. All those verses from 1 Peter 2 were coming in handy!
The other thing I was thinking about was how excited I am that Bible Bee is next week!
When I’m with other people who look down on me because I’m different, it makes me appreciate the times I’m with people who (like me) want to be different. As I hear not-so-nice remarks, I can look forward to the days when we’ll all be quoting the Word of God to with other. At my church, there are some really amazing people. After talking to them, I can’t wait to go home and read more "hard" books, study apologetics, or look up a new Bible lecture. Just five minutes of talking gets me excited to spend five hours learning! And in just a few days, we’ll have almost a whole week of learning, fellowshipping, and praising God together at Bible Bee! When the apostles wrote epistles, they referred to the recipients as the "beloved brethren" (agapetos adelphos). Doesn’t that describe the family of Christ well? The beloved brethren–not the popular, cool, awesome friends (not that y’all aren’t awesome friends–it’s just that being "beloved brethren" involves so much more than that!). They are the family members who love you, encourage you, advise and help you and when the world thinks you’re weird...the ones whose agape love makes them call you agapetos. Isn’t that a comforting thought? Even when we feel like we’re alone, we still have Christian brothers and sisters all around the world experiencing the same things!
I am looking forward to meeting you all next week! It will be a joy-filled family reunion!
Showing posts with label Obedience. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Obedience. Show all posts
Monday, November 7, 2011
Monday, July 18, 2011
So He said, "Come."
“Matthew 14:28-29.”
I sighed and turned my head toward the water. Perhaps the answer would be written somewhere in the waves? But no, nothing–maybe just a sailboat in the distance.
“First word please.”
“And”... “Peter”... “answered”...
“And Peter answered and said what? Skip.” My sister showed me the card. Of all cards to miss while one was studying at the beach!
And Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” So He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus.
As I’ve been reading Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s The Cost of Discipleship, I have been amazed at how well it goes along with our study of 1 Peter. Bonhoeffer talks a lot about the call and the cost of discipleship, which is very similar to the theme in 1 Peter of salvation and suffering. Many of the passages on which Bonhoeffer focuses are our memory verses, and reading this book has helped me learn what I am studying.
In Chapter 2, Bonhoeffer focuses on the Call of Discipleship. In reference to Jesus’ call to Peter in Matthew 14:28-29, he says,
It means that we can only take this step aright if we fix our eyes not on the work we do, but on the word with which Jesus calls us to do it. Peter knows he dare not climb out of the ship in his own strength–his very first step would be his undoing. And so he cries, “Lord, bid me come to thee upon the waters,” and Jesus answers: “Come.” Christ must first call him, for the step can only be taken at his word. This call is his grace, which calls him out of death and into the new life of obedience. But when once Christ has called him, Peter has no alternative–he must leave the ship and come to him. In the end, the first step of obedience proves to be an act of faith in the word of Christ. But we should completely misunderstand the nature of grace if we were to suppose that there was no need to take the first step, because faith was already there. Against that we must boldly assert that the step of obedience must be taken before faith can be possible. Unless he obeys, a man cannot believe.
...If you dismiss the word of God’s command, you will not receive his word of grace. How can you hope to enter into communion with him when at some point in your life you are running away from him? The man who disobeys cannot believe, for only he who obeys can believe.(The Cost of Discipleship, Dietrich Bonhoeffer)
We might not walk on the water to go to Jesus as Peter did, but like Peter, we have received the call to come to Jesus. To refuse that call is disobedience...it is also the refusal of His grace. Are you answering His call? Will you lay aside all reasonable, earthly fears and trust solely in Him? Run across the troubled waters of life and have faith!
I sighed and turned my head toward the water. Perhaps the answer would be written somewhere in the waves? But no, nothing–maybe just a sailboat in the distance.
“First word please.”
“And”... “Peter”... “answered”...
“And Peter answered and said what? Skip.” My sister showed me the card. Of all cards to miss while one was studying at the beach!
And Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” So He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus.
As I’ve been reading Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s The Cost of Discipleship, I have been amazed at how well it goes along with our study of 1 Peter. Bonhoeffer talks a lot about the call and the cost of discipleship, which is very similar to the theme in 1 Peter of salvation and suffering. Many of the passages on which Bonhoeffer focuses are our memory verses, and reading this book has helped me learn what I am studying.
In Chapter 2, Bonhoeffer focuses on the Call of Discipleship. In reference to Jesus’ call to Peter in Matthew 14:28-29, he says,
It means that we can only take this step aright if we fix our eyes not on the work we do, but on the word with which Jesus calls us to do it. Peter knows he dare not climb out of the ship in his own strength–his very first step would be his undoing. And so he cries, “Lord, bid me come to thee upon the waters,” and Jesus answers: “Come.” Christ must first call him, for the step can only be taken at his word. This call is his grace, which calls him out of death and into the new life of obedience. But when once Christ has called him, Peter has no alternative–he must leave the ship and come to him. In the end, the first step of obedience proves to be an act of faith in the word of Christ. But we should completely misunderstand the nature of grace if we were to suppose that there was no need to take the first step, because faith was already there. Against that we must boldly assert that the step of obedience must be taken before faith can be possible. Unless he obeys, a man cannot believe.
...If you dismiss the word of God’s command, you will not receive his word of grace. How can you hope to enter into communion with him when at some point in your life you are running away from him? The man who disobeys cannot believe, for only he who obeys can believe.(The Cost of Discipleship, Dietrich Bonhoeffer)
We might not walk on the water to go to Jesus as Peter did, but like Peter, we have received the call to come to Jesus. To refuse that call is disobedience...it is also the refusal of His grace. Are you answering His call? Will you lay aside all reasonable, earthly fears and trust solely in Him? Run across the troubled waters of life and have faith!
Monday, March 21, 2011
Are you a slave to time?
Do you realize that a lot of us have an idol? Its face is often the first thing we look at in the morning. We wear its image on our wrists every day. We let it rule our lives. Do you know what it is? Time.
I have always had a problem with time. I’ve called it “my own.” Don’t you dare touch my time! After all, if there is anything that is undisputably mine, it’s my time, right? Yes...if I hadn’t given my life to someone else. But I have, and my life–and therefore my time–is no longer mine. I gave my life to God to do whatever He wants with it. I told Him to take me and use me for His plan. Yet, while saying I’ve given my life to God, I’ve demanded that He still let me keep my time. It doesn’t work that way. If I gave God my life, that means I also gave Him my time. We probably won’t be using every minute of our time doing things that are obviously for God (going to church, helping out ministries, teaching the Bible, etc.), but God has given us enough commands in the Bible that we can use every moment of our lives doing His work! There are commands that require action like honoring our parents and loving our neighbor. We are giving our time to God when we obey our parents and fold the laundry or when we put aside our own work to help our neighbor. Then there are the other commands that tell heart conditions and attitudes that will determine if our time is used in a Godly way. How about 1 Corinthians 14:40–Let all things be done decently and in order, Colossians 3:23–And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, and Romans 12:11-12–not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer? If we are diligent in the tasks that God has given us and if we do them heartily to the Lord, we’re giving Him our time! We can give our time to God just by doing our daily tasks with a heart and an attitude that glorifies Him!
Ephesians 5:16 says to redeem the time because the days are evil. The days are evil, full of foolishness and sin; therefore we must redeem them by using them for God’s glory. That is how we redeem the time. When we’ve taken our time and laid it at His feet, we really give our lives to God. When every moment is given to Him and all things are done through Him, we can really be of Him. As Christians, our lives should be just that–of God.
To Him be the glory forever!
I have always had a problem with time. I’ve called it “my own.” Don’t you dare touch my time! After all, if there is anything that is undisputably mine, it’s my time, right? Yes...if I hadn’t given my life to someone else. But I have, and my life–and therefore my time–is no longer mine. I gave my life to God to do whatever He wants with it. I told Him to take me and use me for His plan. Yet, while saying I’ve given my life to God, I’ve demanded that He still let me keep my time. It doesn’t work that way. If I gave God my life, that means I also gave Him my time. We probably won’t be using every minute of our time doing things that are obviously for God (going to church, helping out ministries, teaching the Bible, etc.), but God has given us enough commands in the Bible that we can use every moment of our lives doing His work! There are commands that require action like honoring our parents and loving our neighbor. We are giving our time to God when we obey our parents and fold the laundry or when we put aside our own work to help our neighbor. Then there are the other commands that tell heart conditions and attitudes that will determine if our time is used in a Godly way. How about 1 Corinthians 14:40–Let all things be done decently and in order, Colossians 3:23–And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, and Romans 12:11-12–not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer? If we are diligent in the tasks that God has given us and if we do them heartily to the Lord, we’re giving Him our time! We can give our time to God just by doing our daily tasks with a heart and an attitude that glorifies Him!
Ephesians 5:16 says to redeem the time because the days are evil. The days are evil, full of foolishness and sin; therefore we must redeem them by using them for God’s glory. That is how we redeem the time. When we’ve taken our time and laid it at His feet, we really give our lives to God. When every moment is given to Him and all things are done through Him, we can really be of Him. As Christians, our lives should be just that–of God.
To Him be the glory forever!
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Obedience
In my devotions right now, I'm studying Esther. I don't know about you, but when I know a Bible story backwards, forwards, and upside-down, and then go to study it, I catch myself quickly glazing over the truths I know so well! I begin to space off, and not really pay attention. As I started to study Esther, I was DETERMINED! I would NOT glaze over the book, and then come to the finish unchanged, and not knowing anything I hadn't known before!
Thus I began my study of Esther, asking God to "open my eyes that I may see wondrous things from Your law!" He did.
Over and over obedience stood out at me as it never really had before! I think it comes back to passing over things I know well. I have been taught to be obedient for my ENTIRE LIFE! It is ingrained into the depths of me, and will never leave! But do I really know what obedience looks like? Do I obey?
All throughout the book of Esther I've been reminded that Jesus loved me by being obedient! In the garden of Gethsemane Jesus said, "Not my will," a true sign of obedience to His Father. In Philippians 2 Paul says Christ, "became obedient to the point of death, even the death of a cross!" Wow-- Christ's obedience saved my life! Paul goes on to say, "Therefore, God has also highly exalted Him, and given Him the name which is above every name, that AT THE NAME OF JESUS EVERY KNEE SHOULD BOW... AND THAT EVERY TONGUE SHOULD CONFESS THAT JESUS CHRIST IS LORD TO THE GLORY OF GOD THE FATHER!" It is because of Christ's total obedience I am going to heaven and will one day share in His glory! He went above and beyond to show us that obedience is worth it! It is worth it.
When our little siblings see us, do they see obedience to our parents?
When people at church see us, do they see our obedience to authority?
When God sees the motives of our hearts, (which is all the time!) does He see obedience?
Do we obey?
Thus I began my study of Esther, asking God to "open my eyes that I may see wondrous things from Your law!" He did.
Over and over obedience stood out at me as it never really had before! I think it comes back to passing over things I know well. I have been taught to be obedient for my ENTIRE LIFE! It is ingrained into the depths of me, and will never leave! But do I really know what obedience looks like? Do I obey?
I was specifically challenged with Esther's obedience to Mordecai! She was so submissive to Him...it's a good reminder to not just obey, but have a submissive attitude! Although Esther's obedience is amazing, I want to focus on someone far more important...the One Whose obedience gave us LIFE! Of course, I'm talking about Jesus!
I was talking with a friend a couple weeks ago, and she told me about something she does in her devotions. It sounded really neat, and so I started doing it too! At the end of my reading, I write down ways God loves me though the specific passage. Then, I write down ways I can love Christ back. With some passages it's easy, and with others it's more difficult, but I don't get up until I've written down both. It makes me think, and is an encouragement! I'm continually reminded of God's love for me!
All throughout the book of Esther I've been reminded that Jesus loved me by being obedient! In the garden of Gethsemane Jesus said, "Not my will," a true sign of obedience to His Father. In Philippians 2 Paul says Christ, "became obedient to the point of death, even the death of a cross!" Wow-- Christ's obedience saved my life! Paul goes on to say, "Therefore, God has also highly exalted Him, and given Him the name which is above every name, that AT THE NAME OF JESUS EVERY KNEE SHOULD BOW... AND THAT EVERY TONGUE SHOULD CONFESS THAT JESUS CHRIST IS LORD TO THE GLORY OF GOD THE FATHER!" It is because of Christ's total obedience I am going to heaven and will one day share in His glory! He went above and beyond to show us that obedience is worth it! It is worth it.
When our little siblings see us, do they see obedience to our parents?
When people at church see us, do they see our obedience to authority?
When God sees the motives of our hearts, (which is all the time!) does He see obedience?
Do we obey?
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