Showing posts with label testimony. Show all posts
Showing posts with label testimony. Show all posts
Sunday, September 18, 2016
Monday, January 04, 2016
Let Us Boast
James, the half-brother of Jesus, warns us about a kind of boasting that is evil (see James 4:13-16), but that doesn't mean that all boasting of any kind is evil. There is at least one kind of boasting that is always good and right for us to do, and that is to boast about God (what He has done, what He is doing, what He will do).
"Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord" (1 Corinthians 1:31).
The Apostle Paul also said, "Far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ" (Galatians 6:14).
The Prophet Jeremiah writes, "Thus says the LORD: 'Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the LORD'" (Jeremiah 9:23-24).
So what are some things Christians can boast about today?
"Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord" (1 Corinthians 1:31).
The Apostle Paul also said, "Far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ" (Galatians 6:14).
The Prophet Jeremiah writes, "Thus says the LORD: 'Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the LORD'" (Jeremiah 9:23-24).
So what are some things Christians can boast about today?
- Boast in the fact that Jesus saves.
- Boast in the fact that God can be known.
- Boast in the fact that God is the God of love, justice, and righteousness.
Don't boast about yourself; boast about Jesus Christ!
Monday, July 27, 2015
Not So Dearly Departed
"And he departed with no one's regret." -2 Chronicles 21:20 (ESV)
Such is the testimony about Jehoram, son of Jehoshaphat, King of Judah. He became king when he was 32 years old. He was 40 years old when he died. He died from an incurable bowel disease, which was in reality a judgment from God because Jehoram led the people of Judah into gross idolatry. If that wasn't bad enough, the people didn't like him. I'm sure he was a tyrant, along the line s of Herod the Great. (Herod had arranged for many people to be executed when he died so that the people would be sure to mourn on the day of his death.) When Jehoram died, "the people made no fire in his honor," nor did they bury him "in the tombs of the kings" (2 Chronicles 21:19-20). They were glad to see him go.
What about you? What will people say about you after you're gone? Will they miss you? Have you become offensively odious to all around you? Will you die with no one's regret?
If you answer "no" to that last question, then fantastic! What a blessing to have that knowledge!
If you answer "yes," don't panic just yet. There is hope for you. Don't make the same mistakes that Jehoram made. Let me urge you, with whatever time you have left on earth (only God knows), to reverse the curse that you have become. Instead of demanding the sun, moon, and stars, be a generous giver. Invest in the lives of the people around you. Give them your time and genuine care. Do what is right. Don't even give the appearance of evil. Sure, people will be extremely skeptical for a while, but in time, if you persevere in doing what is good, you will prove your sincerity. One more thing--you can't do it alone. Ask God to forgive you for all those years of rebellion against Him. Then ask those you have offended for forgiveness. It's a tough step, but its worth can't be measured. Then ask God to change you into a person who will be greatly missed when it's your time to die.
God help us all!
Such is the testimony about Jehoram, son of Jehoshaphat, King of Judah. He became king when he was 32 years old. He was 40 years old when he died. He died from an incurable bowel disease, which was in reality a judgment from God because Jehoram led the people of Judah into gross idolatry. If that wasn't bad enough, the people didn't like him. I'm sure he was a tyrant, along the line s of Herod the Great. (Herod had arranged for many people to be executed when he died so that the people would be sure to mourn on the day of his death.) When Jehoram died, "the people made no fire in his honor," nor did they bury him "in the tombs of the kings" (2 Chronicles 21:19-20). They were glad to see him go.
What about you? What will people say about you after you're gone? Will they miss you? Have you become offensively odious to all around you? Will you die with no one's regret?
If you answer "no" to that last question, then fantastic! What a blessing to have that knowledge!
If you answer "yes," don't panic just yet. There is hope for you. Don't make the same mistakes that Jehoram made. Let me urge you, with whatever time you have left on earth (only God knows), to reverse the curse that you have become. Instead of demanding the sun, moon, and stars, be a generous giver. Invest in the lives of the people around you. Give them your time and genuine care. Do what is right. Don't even give the appearance of evil. Sure, people will be extremely skeptical for a while, but in time, if you persevere in doing what is good, you will prove your sincerity. One more thing--you can't do it alone. Ask God to forgive you for all those years of rebellion against Him. Then ask those you have offended for forgiveness. It's a tough step, but its worth can't be measured. Then ask God to change you into a person who will be greatly missed when it's your time to die.
God help us all!
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