One of the basic lessons of science is the difference between physical and chemical changes in matter. In a physical change, the physical state of matter changes—ice to water to steam for example—but the chemical composition does not change. Water is still H2O no matter what state it is in. In a chemical change, on the other hand, not only the state but also the chemical makeup of the matter is changed. As a piece of wood that is added to a fire begins to burn, it becomes one with the fire, being transformed into light and heat energy. In the process, it is consumed and changed into something it was not before: carbon ash. It will never be a piece of wood again. In a chemical change, the essential nature of the object is transformed; it can never go back to what it was before.
This is a great analogy of what it means to live in union,communion, fellowship, and intimacy with God. Think of a log in a fire: the glowing log is so united with the fire that it is fire, while, at the same time, it remains wood.” When we encounter the Lord, our individuality is not lost, but our human nature is totally totally transformed. We can never go back to the way we were before. Our hearts are ignited by the fire of God, and we are never again the same.
The prophet Isaiah discovered for himself the transforming nature of the Lord’s fire. Here is his description of the divine “close encounter” that changed him forever:
In the year of King Uzziah’s death I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, lofty and exalted, with the train of His robe filling the temple. Seraphim stood above Him, each having six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two flew. And one called out to another and said, “Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord of hosts, The whole earth is full of His glory.” And the foundations of the thresholds trembled at the voice of him who called out, while the temple was filling with smoke. Then I said, “Woe is me, for I am ruined! Because I am a man of unclean lips, And I live among a people of unclean lips; For my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts.” Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a burning coal in his hand, which he had taken from the altar with tongs. He touched my mouth with it and said, “Behold, this has touched your lips; and your iniquity is taken away and your sin is forgiven.” Then I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?” Then I said, “Here am I. Send me!” (Isaiah 6:1-8)
Isaiah’s vision of the Lord in all His glory threw him into dread and despair because in that moment he recognized his own sinfulness and wickedness. He expected at any second to be struck dead by the holiness of the Almighty. Instead, Isaiah learned the love, grace, and mercy of God in a new and deeper way than ever before. What changed Isaiah’s life was the touch of the “burning coal” from the Lord’s altar. Notice that the fire of the Lord touched Isaiah at the exact point of his confession. After he said, “I am a man of unclean lips,” the burning coal was applied to his lips. In that instant, Isaiah’s iniquity was taken away and his sin forgiven. His “unclean lips” were transformed into God-anointed lips for speaking the Word of the Lord.
The lips are among the most sensitive parts of the human body. Try to imagine for a moment the pain of having your lips seared with a red-hot coal! So often, the Lord’s touch in our lives is painful, but in the pain there is healing. Isaiah needed the touch of the burning coal of God’s fire to cauterize the wounds of his sin and his broken spirit.
That’s why confession is such an important part of our walk with the Lord (I John 1:9; James 5:16; Psalm 51). We need God to take the burning coal of His love and touch us at every point of our brokenness, and in so doing, transform us into flame-tempered vessels prepared to carry His fire. Isaiah left the temple that day a changed man. Like a log consigned to the flames, he was to his dying day consumed by the fire of the Lord, calling God’s people to repent and return to Him.
May we draw near and let the Holy fire of His love and presence consume us and transform us into useful, holy vessels prepared to carry out His fire, touching others in their sins and brokenness.
Tuesday, May 31, 2016
Wednesday, May 11, 2016
LOVING GOD: THE GREATEST RESON WHY TO NOT WANT TO SIN
"So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him..."For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.
2 Corinthians 5:9,14-15 ESV
What is the most God-honoring reason not to sin? Is it fear of consequences? Is it fear of punishment? John Calvin says, "the truly pious mind restrains itself from sinning, not out of dread of punishment alone; but, because it-loves and reveres God as Father, it worships and adores him as Lord. Even if there were no hell, it would still shudder at offending him alone"
I am so very moved by this statement! Listen carefully again: "Even if there were no hell, it would still shudder at offending him alone." This thought compels me to ask: What accounts for my obedience to God? Why do I fear sinning? Is it merely because I know that discipline awaits me if I don't obey but rather persist in sin? Is there nothing in God besides his wrath that awakens me to holiness? Am I more concerned about negative consequences and bad feelings than pleasing Him? Am I motivated to seek righteousness for purely personal gain? Is self-interest at the core of my decision to heed his commands?
On one level there is nothing wrong with seeking to avoid judgment and the pains of hell. But should that by itself account for how we live? I think that the root of holiness is being in love with Jesus! Paul says in 2 Corinthians 5:14-15, "For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; 15and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised."
For Paul the love of Christ evokes self-restraint and service and reverence and worship and adoration. Calvin asks, "Were there no hell, he says, should we still not find him worthy of our devotion?" Is there not something beyond the prospect of judgment alone that energizes our hearts to adore him and our wills to obey him and our affections to delight in him?
Yes, says Calvin! The truly pious soul "loves and reveres God as Father" and "worships and adores him as Lord" irrespective of all other factors." God's intrinsic and inherent beauty, his glory as Father, and his power as Lord ought to be sufficient to stir our hearts to love and admire and worship him as it did for Paul." N.P. Williams said, "The ordinary man may feel ashamed of doing wrong: but the saint, endowed with a superior refinement of moral sensibility, and keener powers of introspection, is ashamed of being the kind of man who is liable to do wrong" That is what happens when we love God.
I think an excellent illustration of this is recorded in the autobiography of the great missionary to Vanuatu in the South Pacific, John Paton. He records of the day of his parting from his beloved father to go off on the mission field.
My dear father walked with me the first six miles of the way. His counsel and tears on that parting journey are fresh in my heart as if it had been yesterday. Tears are on my cheeks as freely now as then. For the last half mile we walked in almost unbroken silence, my father, as was often his custom, carrying his hat in hand, his long, flowing yellow hair streaming down his shoulders. His lips kept moving in silent prayers for me, and his tears fell fast when our eyes met. We halted upon reaching the appointed parting place. He grasped my hand firmly for .a minute in silence, and then solemnly and affectionately said, "God bless you, my son! Your father's God prosper you, and keep you from all evil!"
Unable to say more, his lips kept moving in silent prayer. In tears we embraced, and parted. I ran off as fast as I could. When about to turn a corner in the road where he would lose sight of me, I looked back and saw him still standing with head uncovered where I had left him. Waving my hat goodbye, I was 'round the corner and out of sight in an instant. But my heart was too full and sore to-carry me farther, so I darted to the side of the road and wept for a time. Rising up cautiously, I climbed the dyke to see if he yet stood where I had left him. Just at that moment I caught a glimpse of him climbing the dyke and looking out for me! He did not see me, and after he had gazed eagerly in my direction for a while, he got down, turned his face toward home, and began to return. I watched through blinding tears till his form faded from my gaze.
Now listen to and feel the emotion of John Paton as he reflected on this precious and most moving moment. It graphically and poignantly illustrates what I am trying to say:
Hastening on my way, I vowed deeply and often to live and act so as never to grieve or dishonor such a father and mother as God had given me.
What a father John Paton had! The feelings Paton had for his father were a deep reflection of his fathers greatness as a father. I never had the privilege of having a loving father like this. But oh does this story evoke in me feelings and thoughts that I have a precious and most wonderful Father in heaven! Ought this response that Paton felt be not all the more to be true of our relationship with God? Is he not infinitely deserving of glory and praise and honor and obedience for who he is, in himself, even before we consider what he will do should we fail to respond as we ought? Do you "shudder at offending him"? Oh that we would vow deeply and often to live and act so as never to grieve or dishonor such a father like our Father in heaven!
Seeking to bring God nothing but glory and to live a life pleasing to Him,
Pastor Bill
2 Corinthians 5:9,14-15 ESV
What is the most God-honoring reason not to sin? Is it fear of consequences? Is it fear of punishment? John Calvin says, "the truly pious mind restrains itself from sinning, not out of dread of punishment alone; but, because it-loves and reveres God as Father, it worships and adores him as Lord. Even if there were no hell, it would still shudder at offending him alone"
I am so very moved by this statement! Listen carefully again: "Even if there were no hell, it would still shudder at offending him alone." This thought compels me to ask: What accounts for my obedience to God? Why do I fear sinning? Is it merely because I know that discipline awaits me if I don't obey but rather persist in sin? Is there nothing in God besides his wrath that awakens me to holiness? Am I more concerned about negative consequences and bad feelings than pleasing Him? Am I motivated to seek righteousness for purely personal gain? Is self-interest at the core of my decision to heed his commands?
On one level there is nothing wrong with seeking to avoid judgment and the pains of hell. But should that by itself account for how we live? I think that the root of holiness is being in love with Jesus! Paul says in 2 Corinthians 5:14-15, "For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; 15and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised."
For Paul the love of Christ evokes self-restraint and service and reverence and worship and adoration. Calvin asks, "Were there no hell, he says, should we still not find him worthy of our devotion?" Is there not something beyond the prospect of judgment alone that energizes our hearts to adore him and our wills to obey him and our affections to delight in him?
Yes, says Calvin! The truly pious soul "loves and reveres God as Father" and "worships and adores him as Lord" irrespective of all other factors." God's intrinsic and inherent beauty, his glory as Father, and his power as Lord ought to be sufficient to stir our hearts to love and admire and worship him as it did for Paul." N.P. Williams said, "The ordinary man may feel ashamed of doing wrong: but the saint, endowed with a superior refinement of moral sensibility, and keener powers of introspection, is ashamed of being the kind of man who is liable to do wrong" That is what happens when we love God.
I think an excellent illustration of this is recorded in the autobiography of the great missionary to Vanuatu in the South Pacific, John Paton. He records of the day of his parting from his beloved father to go off on the mission field.
My dear father walked with me the first six miles of the way. His counsel and tears on that parting journey are fresh in my heart as if it had been yesterday. Tears are on my cheeks as freely now as then. For the last half mile we walked in almost unbroken silence, my father, as was often his custom, carrying his hat in hand, his long, flowing yellow hair streaming down his shoulders. His lips kept moving in silent prayers for me, and his tears fell fast when our eyes met. We halted upon reaching the appointed parting place. He grasped my hand firmly for .a minute in silence, and then solemnly and affectionately said, "God bless you, my son! Your father's God prosper you, and keep you from all evil!"
Unable to say more, his lips kept moving in silent prayer. In tears we embraced, and parted. I ran off as fast as I could. When about to turn a corner in the road where he would lose sight of me, I looked back and saw him still standing with head uncovered where I had left him. Waving my hat goodbye, I was 'round the corner and out of sight in an instant. But my heart was too full and sore to-carry me farther, so I darted to the side of the road and wept for a time. Rising up cautiously, I climbed the dyke to see if he yet stood where I had left him. Just at that moment I caught a glimpse of him climbing the dyke and looking out for me! He did not see me, and after he had gazed eagerly in my direction for a while, he got down, turned his face toward home, and began to return. I watched through blinding tears till his form faded from my gaze.
Now listen to and feel the emotion of John Paton as he reflected on this precious and most moving moment. It graphically and poignantly illustrates what I am trying to say:
Hastening on my way, I vowed deeply and often to live and act so as never to grieve or dishonor such a father and mother as God had given me.
What a father John Paton had! The feelings Paton had for his father were a deep reflection of his fathers greatness as a father. I never had the privilege of having a loving father like this. But oh does this story evoke in me feelings and thoughts that I have a precious and most wonderful Father in heaven! Ought this response that Paton felt be not all the more to be true of our relationship with God? Is he not infinitely deserving of glory and praise and honor and obedience for who he is, in himself, even before we consider what he will do should we fail to respond as we ought? Do you "shudder at offending him"? Oh that we would vow deeply and often to live and act so as never to grieve or dishonor such a father like our Father in heaven!
Seeking to bring God nothing but glory and to live a life pleasing to Him,
Pastor Bill
Thursday, May 5, 2016
A SINGING GOD MAKES FOR A SINGING PEOPLE
I love to sing. When I was a little boy I would make up songs. As I got older I sang in several bands both before I became a Christian and as a Christian. I also used to sing solos and
lead worship at times in my church. As a parent are used to love to sing songs
to my children and make up songs about them, My wife is always encouraging me to sing to her and
sometimes even goads me to step out and do karaoke. My favorite time of singing is when I
gather together with the body of Christ and sing during worship at church. The church I currently
attend, Harbor Church in Pompano Beach, sings every Sunday for 45 minutes to an
hour and . I love it! Singing is truly my favorite part of church,
There's just something about singing isn't there? Singing will be an important part in eternity of worshiping God in Heaven when we are all gathered around the Him at the Throne.
Revelation 15:2-3 "And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God. 3 And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvelous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints."
Revelation 14:2-3 "And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps: 3 And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth."
In the book of Revelation we see over and over scenes of multitudes singing songs of worship and praise to God together forever and ever and ever and never bored or tired engaged and joyfully excitedly and engaged.
The Psalms are full of exhortations to sing. Here is a sample of what the Psalms say about singing:
Why is it we love seeing so much? One reason is that singing is a gift that enables us to express our deepest longings for God that increase as they are expressed. Passions often wither in silence. Undeclared delight is a virtual contradiction in terms. God never intended for our joy to be quiet. C.S. Lewis wrote;
"I think we delight to praise what we enjoy: because the praise not merely expresses but completes the enjoyment; it is its appointed consummation." There's nothing more frustrating than an experience of sheer delight in the absence of someone with whom you can share it. I went to four national parks one summer by myself and it was very lonely and very empty without someone to share the beauty with. When I see a glorious sunset my instinctive reaction is to shout at anyone within earshot `Did you see that? Wow!' To leave my exultation unexpressed is unthinkable. So it is with singing in worship, but on an even grander scale. When I gather with God loving, on fire, white hot worshippers something happens both in my being in the presence of the Lord with them all and joining them in expression of our delight in God together.
Singing is not only the expression of joy, it is the soil in which additional and even greater joy is seeded. As we celebrate God in word and praise, the Spirit works within to cultivate still deeper delight in God that cries out to be vented in exuberant exultation. Enjoyment issues in worship. Worship incites knowledge. Knowledge awakens joy. This joy issues in worship ... and so it goes, to the gladness of our hearts and the glory of God!
But there is another reason that we love seeing so much? I think it is because singing is a very
part of the nature of God and one of God's delights and pleasures is expressing joy in singing. God sings and expresses joy with songs like we do. We were made in the image of God in the ability to sing and enjoy music like He does!
One of my favorite scriptures is where we see God thinking about His people, As He does, He opens His mouth and sings with inexpressible joy!
"The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing."
Or the time we see Jesus, the incarnate Son of God, singing.
"After singing a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives." (Mark 14:29)
Can you hear Jesus singing? Was he a bass or a tenor? Was there a down-home twang to his voice? Or was there an unwavering crystal pitch? Did he close his eyes and sing to his Father? Or
did he look into his disciples’ eyes and smile at their deep camaraderie? Did he
usually start the song? Or did he join in when John started it, or Bartholomew? Would he always sing lead or did he like to harmonize as well? Did he only sing Psalms from the Old Testament? Or did he make up songs?
Oh, I can hardly wait to hear Jesus sing! I think the planets would be jolted out
of orbit if he lifted his native voice in our universe. But we have a kingdom
that cannot be shaken; so, Lord, come on and sing.
It could not be otherwise but that Christianity be a singing faith. The founder
sang. He learned to sing from his Father. Surely they have been singing together
from all eternity. The Bible says the aim of song is “to raise the sound of joy”
(1 Chronicles 15:16). No one in the universe has more joy than God. He is
infinitely joyful. He has rejoiced from eternity in the panorama of his own
perfections reflected perfectly in the deity of his Son.
God’s joy is unimaginably powerful. He is God. When he speaks galaxies come into
being. And when he sings for joy more energy is released than exists in all the
matter and motion of the universe. If he appointed song for us to release our
heart’s delight in him, is this not because he also knows the joy of releasing
his own heart’s delight in himself in song? We are a singing people because we
are the children of a singing God. No wonder I love to sing!!
Pastor Bill
lead worship at times in my church. As a parent are used to love to sing songs
to my children and make up songs about them, My wife is always encouraging me to sing to her and
sometimes even goads me to step out and do karaoke. My favorite time of singing is when I
gather together with the body of Christ and sing during worship at church. The church I currently
attend, Harbor Church in Pompano Beach, sings every Sunday for 45 minutes to an
hour and . I love it! Singing is truly my favorite part of church,
There's just something about singing isn't there? Singing will be an important part in eternity of worshiping God in Heaven when we are all gathered around the Him at the Throne.
Revelation 15:2-3 "And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God. 3 And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvelous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints."
Revelation 14:2-3 "And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps: 3 And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth."
In the book of Revelation we see over and over scenes of multitudes singing songs of worship and praise to God together forever and ever and ever and never bored or tired engaged and joyfully excitedly and engaged.
The Psalms are full of exhortations to sing. Here is a sample of what the Psalms say about singing:
Psalms 5:11: “Let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them ever sing for joy, and spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may exult in you.”
Psalms 9:2: “I will be glad and exult in you; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.”
Psalms 51:14: “Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, O God of my salvation, and my tongue will sing aloud of your righteousness.”
Psalms 59:16: “I will sing of your strength; I will sing aloud of your steadfast love in the morning. For you have been to me a fortress and a refuge in the day of my distress.”
Psalms 63:7: “For you have been my help, and in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy.”
If you still don’t believe me, here’s a clincher from James 5:13: “Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise.”Why is it we love seeing so much? One reason is that singing is a gift that enables us to express our deepest longings for God that increase as they are expressed. Passions often wither in silence. Undeclared delight is a virtual contradiction in terms. God never intended for our joy to be quiet. C.S. Lewis wrote;
"I think we delight to praise what we enjoy: because the praise not merely expresses but completes the enjoyment; it is its appointed consummation." There's nothing more frustrating than an experience of sheer delight in the absence of someone with whom you can share it. I went to four national parks one summer by myself and it was very lonely and very empty without someone to share the beauty with. When I see a glorious sunset my instinctive reaction is to shout at anyone within earshot `Did you see that? Wow!' To leave my exultation unexpressed is unthinkable. So it is with singing in worship, but on an even grander scale. When I gather with God loving, on fire, white hot worshippers something happens both in my being in the presence of the Lord with them all and joining them in expression of our delight in God together.
Singing is not only the expression of joy, it is the soil in which additional and even greater joy is seeded. As we celebrate God in word and praise, the Spirit works within to cultivate still deeper delight in God that cries out to be vented in exuberant exultation. Enjoyment issues in worship. Worship incites knowledge. Knowledge awakens joy. This joy issues in worship ... and so it goes, to the gladness of our hearts and the glory of God!
But there is another reason that we love seeing so much? I think it is because singing is a very
part of the nature of God and one of God's delights and pleasures is expressing joy in singing. God sings and expresses joy with songs like we do. We were made in the image of God in the ability to sing and enjoy music like He does!
One of my favorite scriptures is where we see God thinking about His people, As He does, He opens His mouth and sings with inexpressible joy!
"The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing."
Zephaniah 3:14-17
God's love for His people is so infinitely intense that He quite literally sings for joy. The depth of His affection is such that mere words prove paltry and inadequate. So profoundly intimate is God's devotion to you that He bursts forth in sacred song. Can you imagine?
Or the time we see Jesus, the incarnate Son of God, singing.
"After singing a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives." (Mark 14:29)
Can you hear Jesus singing? Was he a bass or a tenor? Was there a down-home twang to his voice? Or was there an unwavering crystal pitch? Did he close his eyes and sing to his Father? Or
did he look into his disciples’ eyes and smile at their deep camaraderie? Did he
usually start the song? Or did he join in when John started it, or Bartholomew? Would he always sing lead or did he like to harmonize as well? Did he only sing Psalms from the Old Testament? Or did he make up songs?
Oh, I can hardly wait to hear Jesus sing! I think the planets would be jolted out
of orbit if he lifted his native voice in our universe. But we have a kingdom
that cannot be shaken; so, Lord, come on and sing.
It could not be otherwise but that Christianity be a singing faith. The founder
sang. He learned to sing from his Father. Surely they have been singing together
from all eternity. The Bible says the aim of song is “to raise the sound of joy”
(1 Chronicles 15:16). No one in the universe has more joy than God. He is
infinitely joyful. He has rejoiced from eternity in the panorama of his own
perfections reflected perfectly in the deity of his Son.
God’s joy is unimaginably powerful. He is God. When he speaks galaxies come into
being. And when he sings for joy more energy is released than exists in all the
matter and motion of the universe. If he appointed song for us to release our
heart’s delight in him, is this not because he also knows the joy of releasing
his own heart’s delight in himself in song? We are a singing people because we
are the children of a singing God. No wonder I love to sing!!
Pastor Bill
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)