What is the Lord doing?

Are you SURE this is the way?

I can just about hear it now. "Moses, are you sure this is the way?" I hope you guys won't hate me for this, but if Mrs. Moses had asked this question I wouldn't think it unreasonable. In fact, I figure that more than one of the Jews on the trek to the promised land, must have wondered, "Does God know the way?" It's not a blasphemous question if we don't ask it in a blasphemous way or with derisive intent. There were more direct routes to the land between the Jordan River and Mediterranean Sea. If you have any idea where you are going, you may have noticed that you aren't on the most direct route, either. God didn't book you in first class, in fact, you might be stuck beside the road with a flat tire, at this very moment, and you wonder, "Does God have a clue?" A friend recently shared a message from Deuteronomy 8. One of the realities he pointed to was that part of God's purpose for the people of Israel was to "humble [them], test . . . [them], to know what was in [their] heart, whether [they] would keep His commandments or not" (Deuteronomy 8:2). The next verse even says that He let them be hungry. Talk about cruelty. My friend pointed out that all through the Bible we find God humbling and testing His people. Romans 8, 1 Corinthians 10, Hebrews 5:8, & 12 are several examples. There is a balance we need to see. It was not only God's intent to toughen them through difficulties that they could bear, He protected them from dangers too great for them.   “Now when Pharaoh had let the people go, God did not lead them by the way of the land of the Philistines, even though it was near; for God said, “The people might change their minds when they see war, and return to Egypt.”” (Exodus 13:17, NASB95) I can hear some of you, "The Lord let my brother die in a car wreck," and, "I lost my health in. . . . " Where was the Lord then? When you read those Romans 8, and Hebrews 12 passages you'll notice that there is some disagreement about destination. We think we know where we want to go. Our Lord knows for sure where we need to go. Back in Sunday School we used to sing,    "My Lord knows the way through the Wilderness. All I have to do is follow."   It's STTA.

Choice:

Something To Think About Not because you must . . . 9/12

I don't want to say anything here that appears to diminish God's sovereignty, His absolute right to rule in our lives, and the fact that in when all is said and done, it will be what God has said that is done.  Contained within God's infinite, all-encompassing plan is the the concept that is emphasized in the passage of Scripture that we are dealing with this Sunday, at CBC.  In 1 Peter 5:2, the fisherman-Apostle says to the Elders of this church in exile.  "I want you watch over God's flock, not because you must, but because you are willing."  (NIV)  Other translations use the word "voluntarily."  The Greek word behind these translations is only found twice in the New Testament.  The other occasion is Hebrews 10:26, and speaks of sinning willingly. We can willingly do what God doesn't want or we can willingly bow to His will.  We can choose. What we can't choose is to avoid the consequences of our choice. Find out more Sunday, but in the mean time . . . It's Something to Think About.

Working God's Stuff In:

SOMETHING  TO THINK ABOUT

We are talking about God's will in our Sunday Morning Services at Covington Bible Church.   Lord, what is it that You want me to do? That sounds like a good question--something that everyone ought to ask--but I fear some of us ask the question with less than sterling motives.  OK, I'll be honest.  I sometimes ask that question, like a teenager who has been told that he has to clean his room before he can go hang out with his friends.  "What do you want me to do?"  Really means, "What is the least I can get by with?" I want God to give me a list of six things to do today.  That way I can work my six "God-things" in with all the "My-things," and I'll be happy and God will be pleased and all the universe will be as it should be, or so I think.   The fact is, I don't think God is interested in giving three, six, or even a dozen things to do today.  Rather I think He is saying to me: "I know exactly what I have for you today.  Come and walk with me and we'll get it done." "But Lord, if I do that, I won't have any time for my stuff." "Son, I know what you need.  I'll make sure that is part of what we do today." "So, Lord, You want me to . . ." "What I want from you, child, is to trust Me." More Sunday morning from Pastor Doug Williams. It's STTA.   Message 1 in the Series, Proverbs 3:5-6

Does God Care?

Does God care?

Just about anyone who is Theologically aware at all would answer affirmatively, "Of course He does."  Wait a minute, though.  Gordon Monson, of the Salt Lake Tribune, makes a point with which I strangely agree, though I know it is wrong.  Don't tune out yet.  Let me explain.

Monson's comment is part of an article about perhaps the most controversial athlete in our nation, Tim Tebow.  "I've always believed," the commentator says,  "that God favors no professional athlete over another, no team over another. . . . He's too busy working to save the Earth, thwart evil, watch over the innocent, and publish peace.  He blesses the pure in heart, not the Denver Broncos."

First a couple of caveats:  God isn't too busy for anything.  Psalm 121:4 points out that God neither sleeps nor slumbers.  Jesus pointed out that the falling sparrow, and my falling-out hair are part of His ever-present attention.  David observed that He keeps count of my most mundane movements (Psalms 139).  From a logical viewpoint, since infinitesimal actions can have incredible consequences, if God isn't in control of the smallest things then He isn't in control at all.  Having said that, I agree with Monson.  I know I'm wrong, but that is what I think.  I came to this utterly contradictory conclusion while participating in another sport--deer hunting.  Back before I figured out that I wasn't any good at bringing home the venison I used to sit or stand at a deer-stand and talk to myself and the Lord.  

"OK, Lord, I'm here.  I sure would like to get a deer."   

Did the fact that I most often went home without a deer mean that God didn't hear my prayer?  Maybe He was letting me know that I ought to look for a better way to spend my time, or perhaps the lessons had to do with patience and persistence.  Did the success others had have to do with God's favor, or was it just a matter of my horrendous lack of the skills so valued by my outdoors-men buddies?  After a time of pursuing these mental rabbits on their circular trails, I would quit and come to the one conclusion that I knew was wrong, but that allowed me to settle down and take a nap--I was good at that.  

God didn't care whether I killed a deer or not.

 

I come to the same conclusion about football games. 

 

I don't know what Tim Tebow prays, when he famously takes a knee.  It might not have anything to do with who wins or loses.  Could it be something like, "Lord, I have no idea why I'm here in the end zone instead of under a pile of linemen on the other side of the line of scrimmage. I don't really figure it matters in any way that really matters who wins this game, but it matters supremely that I live for You.  Lord, I give you glory.  Help me to use the opportunities you give in a way that is pleasing to You.  Amen"

 

 I don't know what Mr. Tebow prays.  (If someone else does, let me know.)  I do know that for which I need to ask.

 

 "Lord, even down to things as simple as my eating and drinking, may I give glory to You."  

(1 Corinthians 10:31)  

 

 It's STTA.