What we find difficult to accept in the Bible

November 30, 2009

Maria Reflections 2 Comments

Have you ever found it thought-provoking what hangs people up in the word of God?  For some, they can’t quite believe in a virgin birth.  For others, it’s the idea of a 6-day creation.  Still some stall out at the idea of characters in Genesis living for a really long time.

What I find curious is I’ve never heard anyone question how we’re going to be turned from dust in the ground to a newly resurrected body when Jesus comes back.  (1 Thess 4:16 –   For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.)   Now that is amazing!  One blast from God’s trumpet and particles of dead flesh, in different stages of decay, will reassemble in a split second.  I love to picture that scene.  It’s a different version of God speaking order into chaos at creation.  The power in God’s words doesn’t penetrate my everyday thoughts.   I don’t marvel enough.

At a more mundane level, an application for me these days is to remind myself not to fret if material things are wearing out, like the wallpaper that is beginning to peal in my kitchen.  Or even my 52-year old skin.  As a red-headed child, I blithely lay out in the sun .  Now the skin damage is visible.  Oh well!  Who cares about the wallpaper.  But I’m thankful that I will get a new body.  I wonder what I’ll look like!

Live the Gospel versus Explain the Gospel

November 26, 2009

Maria Reflections Leave a comment

Whew!  I’m relieved.  After reading one of Michael Horton’s books, (Christless Christianity), I found out that the way to share the Gospel is to open my mouth and witness to the objective, true, historical reality of what Jesus did for us.  For years, I had heard it said that we should follow Francis of Assisi’ life motto, essentially live out the Gospel and only use words as necessary.  That sounds great..until one actually looks at one’s life.  I mean, I’m a believer.  But I’m also very selfish (sinful, in Christianese).  And I’m sure there are many non-believers who are more neighborly and caring than I.  I don’t have to go far to be reminded of our neighbor: ‘Super George’ – he helps EVERYone.  I don’t.

At one school where I taught, the Latin teacher was Jewish.  People often quipped about this kind lady, “She’s more Christian than most Christians”, referring to her unselfish, neighborly behavior.

But being kind to one’s neighbor doesn’t always get them to say, “Gee, there is something different about you, tell me!”

So we are commanded to explicitly proclaim the good news.  I can do that, with God’s help.  Truthfully, the Gospel is not about my transformed life, but about what Jesus did on the cross so I could have peace with God.  My sin was put on Jesus and Jesus’ life perfectly lived out was credited to me.

Pray at all times with anxiety…

November 23, 2009

Maria Disciplines 5 Comments

Prayer and anxiety

Sometimes I pray as though the outcome were up to me.  If I don’t pray enough, or with the right fervency, then my prayers might not be effective, so goes my reasoning.  After all, how does one know when one has prayed enough?  I’ve heard of people praying until they feel a peace.  There have been occasional  times when I have ‘felt’ fervent while praying, with even a few tears to boot regarding an issue close to my heart.  On those rare occasions,  I only stopped praying because I ran out of things to say to God.  Is that the kind of peace that is meant?

I was listening to D.A. Carson talk about prayer, using Paul’s exhortations in Philippians not to be anxious, to pray with thanksgiving and then to think about whatever is true and lovely.

I realized from one of his illustrations, that I can often be frenetic in my prayers.  But what is far better is to pray in faith and not in anxiety.   By this I mean that I should ask specifically for what is needed and desired and then focus the rest of my thoughts on God’s character, his past provisions and his promises.  Directing my mind in that direction will give me rest and grow my trust in God’s sovereignty.  Praying fervently with anxiety is just worry with a fake spiritual veneer.

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