By Nixon Waterman
We shall do much in the years to come, But what have we done today? We shall give out gold in a princely sum, But what did we give today? We shall lift the heart and dry the tear, We shall plant a hope in the place of fear, We shall speak the words of love and cheer, But what did we speak today?
We shall be so kind in the after while, But what have we done today?
We shall bring to each lonely life a smile, But what have we brought today? We shall give to truth a grander birth, And to steadfast faith a deeper worth, We shall feed the hungering souls of earth, But whom have we fed today?
We shall reap such joys in the by and by, But what have we sown today? We shall build us mansions in the sky, But what have we built today? `Tis sweet in the idle dreams to bask; But here and now, do we our task? Yet, this is the thing our souls must ask, What have we done today?
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Don't Waste Your Life Q and A
Question 1: Is it true that all men seek happiness (even those who commit suicide?)
In my limited experiences, I find that it is true that all men seek happiness in some way. Some seek it in power, some in relationships, some in amusements, others in money, and the list goes on.
Is the pursuit of happiness inevitable?
It would seem so, especially if it is a God-given desire.
How do you think the Bible regards the pursuit of happiness? Cite scripture verses in your answer.
"To the man who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness, but to the sinner he gives the task of gathering and storing up wealth to hand it over to the one who pleases God. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind." Ecclesiastes 2:26
If we please God, He will give us happiness.
"But may the righteous be glad and rejoice before God; may they be happy and joyful." Psalm
68:3
The righteous should be happy and joyful before God.
"I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live." Ecclesiastes 3:12
Nothing better than to be happy and do good!
"Happy are the people who are in such a state; Happy are the people whose God is the LORD!" Psalm 144:15 We should be happy simply because our God is the Lord!
"Happy is the man who finds wisdom, And the man who gains understanding;" Proverbs 3:13
Gaining wisdom is part of being happy.
Question 2: When you hear the phrase the glory of God, what comes to mind?
I think of that phrase in two different ways.
One, I think of the universe and of nature, and how that displays the glory of God. The vastness and the incredible design of the universe make me realize how awesome God is. I see His glory in all of creation. "The heavens declare the glory of God;And the firmament shows His handiwork." Psalm 19:1
Two, I think of "How can I bring glory to God?" What can I do that will show others the glory of God? How can He be glorified by my life? "Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." 1 Corinthians 10:31
What does the Bible mean by "the glory of God"?
I think it means the majesty, splendor and honor of God (Psalm 19:1). It also can mean the opinion, judgement, and view of God; a good opinion concerning one, resulting in praise, honour, and glory. (1 Corinthians 10:31).
(I looked up the greek word for glory in those verses here: http://www.studylight.org/)
Question 3: How would you define or describe love?
Love is everything. (1 Corinthians 13; Matthew 22:37-40) If you do not have love, you are nothing. It is hard to grasp this concept-- especially as our culture has us thinking that love is some kind of feeling. It is perfectly clear in 1 Corinthians 13 that that is simply not so. Love is so much more that that. Love is actions--Showing you care. Hugging someone. Giving a sacrificial gift. Keeping quiet when you want to speak in anger. Forgiving someone yet again. And so on...
How does the world define or describe love?
As I said earlier, the world views love as a feeling. It is something that you can "fall into" and "fall out of". It is not the kind that never fails. Rather, it is the kind that is selfish- what can I gain from this relationship?
In my limited experiences, I find that it is true that all men seek happiness in some way. Some seek it in power, some in relationships, some in amusements, others in money, and the list goes on.
Is the pursuit of happiness inevitable?
It would seem so, especially if it is a God-given desire.
How do you think the Bible regards the pursuit of happiness? Cite scripture verses in your answer.
"To the man who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness, but to the sinner he gives the task of gathering and storing up wealth to hand it over to the one who pleases God. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind." Ecclesiastes 2:26
If we please God, He will give us happiness.
"But may the righteous be glad and rejoice before God; may they be happy and joyful." Psalm
68:3
The righteous should be happy and joyful before God.
"I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live." Ecclesiastes 3:12
Nothing better than to be happy and do good!
"Happy are the people who are in such a state; Happy are the people whose God is the LORD!" Psalm 144:15 We should be happy simply because our God is the Lord!
"Happy is the man who finds wisdom, And the man who gains understanding;" Proverbs 3:13
Gaining wisdom is part of being happy.
Question 2: When you hear the phrase the glory of God, what comes to mind?
I think of that phrase in two different ways.
One, I think of the universe and of nature, and how that displays the glory of God. The vastness and the incredible design of the universe make me realize how awesome God is. I see His glory in all of creation. "The heavens declare the glory of God;And the firmament shows His handiwork." Psalm 19:1
Two, I think of "How can I bring glory to God?" What can I do that will show others the glory of God? How can He be glorified by my life? "Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." 1 Corinthians 10:31
What does the Bible mean by "the glory of God"?
I think it means the majesty, splendor and honor of God (Psalm 19:1). It also can mean the opinion, judgement, and view of God; a good opinion concerning one, resulting in praise, honour, and glory. (1 Corinthians 10:31).
(I looked up the greek word for glory in those verses here: http://www.studylight.org/)
Question 3: How would you define or describe love?
Love is everything. (1 Corinthians 13; Matthew 22:37-40) If you do not have love, you are nothing. It is hard to grasp this concept-- especially as our culture has us thinking that love is some kind of feeling. It is perfectly clear in 1 Corinthians 13 that that is simply not so. Love is so much more that that. Love is actions--Showing you care. Hugging someone. Giving a sacrificial gift. Keeping quiet when you want to speak in anger. Forgiving someone yet again. And so on...
How does the world define or describe love?
As I said earlier, the world views love as a feeling. It is something that you can "fall into" and "fall out of". It is not the kind that never fails. Rather, it is the kind that is selfish- what can I gain from this relationship?
Friday, June 26, 2009
My Definition of an Unwasted life
An unwasted life is one in which you do what God has called or ordained you to do. You successfully accomplish your purpose/mission and you've lived to the glory of God. You also spend your time on things that are eternal, such as human souls.
A wasted life is one where you waste your time on trivial things and do little or nothing of eternal value. It is life spent avoiding God's will for your life.
How can we discern whether or not we are wasting our lives?
By looking to the Bible to see what things the Lord requires of us and whether we are striving for and attaining those things.
A wasted life is one where you waste your time on trivial things and do little or nothing of eternal value. It is life spent avoiding God's will for your life.
How can we discern whether or not we are wasting our lives?
By looking to the Bible to see what things the Lord requires of us and whether we are striving for and attaining those things.
Friday, June 19, 2009
Don't Waste Your Life
"Only one life,
'Twill soon be past;
Only what's done
For Christ will last."
That basically sums up the book "Don't Waste Your Life" by John Piper. We, on the Rebelution forums, are studying this book. I am privileged to be one of the discussion leaders and moderators. It has just started, so if you are reading this and want to join, click Here to get instructions for how to join on the rebelution blog.
I will most likely be posting thoughts about this book in the weeks ahead, so stay tuned!
'Twill soon be past;
Only what's done
For Christ will last."
That basically sums up the book "Don't Waste Your Life" by John Piper. We, on the Rebelution forums, are studying this book. I am privileged to be one of the discussion leaders and moderators. It has just started, so if you are reading this and want to join, click Here to get instructions for how to join on the rebelution blog.
I will most likely be posting thoughts about this book in the weeks ahead, so stay tuned!
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Love 3
And now, O Israel, what does the LORD your God ask of you but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul. Deuteronomy 10:12
This verse really sums it up, doesn't it? Fear God, Love God, Serve God. If we could just do this every minute of every hour of every day we would be perfect. Since that is not going to happen in this lifetime, we can at least do our best to do those three things.
How do we fear God?
To fear God is basically to respect Him for His power and glory, to be aware that He will judge us. It is also the opposite of the fear of man. If we are living in the fear of man, we are constantly thinking what will people think if I do this? If we are living in the fear of God, we will be asking, "What does God think of this?" "Will this thought or action please Him?" It is also to hate evil.
I like to think of it as similar to my relationship with my father. I can talk to him, ask for advice, play with him-- I'm not terrified to be near him. But, on the other hand, I want to do things that I know will please him and not upset him. I have a sort of "fear" of what will happen if I disobey him-- but not of him himself.
To fear the LORD is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech. Proverbs 8:13
"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. Proverbs :10
How do we love God?
Love is expressed by actions-- in this case, by obeying His commandments. This is how He loves us-- by His actions, especially of dieing on the cross for our sins.
Also, if we love someone, we are going to spend a considerable amount of time with them, are we not? So then, it would seem to follow that if we love God, we will be spending time talking to Him and reading His word to find out more about Him and about His commands. Another thing that we do when we love someone is tell others about how wonderful they are. So it is with God-- if we really love Him, we will be willing and eager to tell others about Him. And we will be praising Him for all He has done for us.
And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment. Mark 12:30
How do we serve God?
To be used by Him, and to devote our lives to Him. To do all that we can for His cause. I think it may also mean to worship Him.
Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Worship the Lord your God and serve him only. Luke 4:8
Do not allow what you consider good to be spoken of as evil. For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men. Romans 14:16-18
This verse really sums it up, doesn't it? Fear God, Love God, Serve God. If we could just do this every minute of every hour of every day we would be perfect. Since that is not going to happen in this lifetime, we can at least do our best to do those three things.
How do we fear God?
To fear God is basically to respect Him for His power and glory, to be aware that He will judge us. It is also the opposite of the fear of man. If we are living in the fear of man, we are constantly thinking what will people think if I do this? If we are living in the fear of God, we will be asking, "What does God think of this?" "Will this thought or action please Him?" It is also to hate evil.
I like to think of it as similar to my relationship with my father. I can talk to him, ask for advice, play with him-- I'm not terrified to be near him. But, on the other hand, I want to do things that I know will please him and not upset him. I have a sort of "fear" of what will happen if I disobey him-- but not of him himself.
To fear the LORD is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech. Proverbs 8:13
"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. Proverbs :10
How do we love God?
Love is expressed by actions-- in this case, by obeying His commandments. This is how He loves us-- by His actions, especially of dieing on the cross for our sins.
Also, if we love someone, we are going to spend a considerable amount of time with them, are we not? So then, it would seem to follow that if we love God, we will be spending time talking to Him and reading His word to find out more about Him and about His commands. Another thing that we do when we love someone is tell others about how wonderful they are. So it is with God-- if we really love Him, we will be willing and eager to tell others about Him. And we will be praising Him for all He has done for us.
And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment. Mark 12:30
How do we serve God?
To be used by Him, and to devote our lives to Him. To do all that we can for His cause. I think it may also mean to worship Him.
Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Worship the Lord your God and serve him only. Luke 4:8
Do not allow what you consider good to be spoken of as evil. For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men. Romans 14:16-18
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Love 2
This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. 1 John 3:16-18
Need I say more?
Need I say more?
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Love
Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." Matthew 22:37-40
If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13
So then, love is everything. If you do not have love, you are nothing. It is hard to grasp this concept-- especially as our culture has us thinking that love is some kind of feeling. It is perfectly clear in 1 Corinthians 13 that that is simply not so. Love is so much more that that. It is actions. Showing you care. Keeping quiet when you want to speak in anger. Forgiving someone yet again.
We watched the last of the Truth project videos yesterday evening, and the subject was community. He talked about the first verses, which is what got us talking about this over supper this evening.
More later!
If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13
So then, love is everything. If you do not have love, you are nothing. It is hard to grasp this concept-- especially as our culture has us thinking that love is some kind of feeling. It is perfectly clear in 1 Corinthians 13 that that is simply not so. Love is so much more that that. It is actions. Showing you care. Keeping quiet when you want to speak in anger. Forgiving someone yet again.
We watched the last of the Truth project videos yesterday evening, and the subject was community. He talked about the first verses, which is what got us talking about this over supper this evening.
More later!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)