The Dangerous Dilemma of Doubting

This post is part 6 in the "Believe & Behave" series. 

Read: 1 Kings 13

A couple sat in our living room not long ago and told us about the events that led to a crisis in their marriage. The husband acknowledged that he had not given his wife the attention she deserved. The wife on the other hand, told us about how a man at work had been giving her lots of attention. It wasn’t long until they engaged in growing deception and eventually meeting at a secret rendezvous. When her affair was made public, she became surprisingly repentant. But her husband was skeptical. He couldn’t believe she would betray him the way she did. As time went on, he drifted into anger and indifference.

When we asked them if they wanted to keep the marriage together, the wife said that she did. But the husband wanted no part of it. We talked as a foursome for several weeks, until the husband announced that he was pursuing a divorce.

When I shared with him from Scripture that God wanted them to reconcile, the man became hardened. I shared Biblical truths about “forgiving one another, even as Christ has forgiven you.” I reminded him that there was a need to take the “log out of his own eye before removing specks in his wife’s eye.” (NOTE – this was not a statement that minimized her sin in any way. It was an invitation to look at his own sins and shortcomings.) He shook his head and eventually stopped meeting. Two months later the marriage was dissolved.

I don’t know God’s will for everyone, but I am very convinced that the Heavenly Father wanted this couple to reconcile. Yes, it would have been a long haul, but it was doable. The big barrier in the relationship was not that the husband had difficulty trusting his wife. He had a bigger problem in trusting God’s revealed will for him.

We have all been in the same place at one time or another. I don’t know about the specific nature of God’s will when it comes to specific purchases or vocational pursuits. But I do believe that God speaks. And I believe that God speaks to us primarily through His written word. Unfortunately many people hear God’s voice in the Scriptures, but they doubt what He is saying. And it isn’t long until doubt leads to outright disobedience. That is why we need to carefully ponder the teaching in 1 Kings 13.

There are several things you will want to observe in this passage.

• You will want to notice that God spoke to King Jeroboam and told him that if he obeyed God’s commandments, God would give him a lasting dynasty (cf. 1 Kings 11:38-39).  However, Jeroboam doubted God and disobeyed by establishing a false religion in the Northern Kingdom of Israel.  He did so out of fear (cf. 1 Kings 12:25-30)!
• Later on, a prophet went to Bethel and prophesied that the altar would be split in two and desecrated.  Jeroboam tried to have the prophet arrested, but when he pointed in the direction of the man giving the prophecy, the king’s hand withered.  Jeroboam pleaded for mercy and asked for his hand to be restored, and it was (cf. 1 Kings 13:1-7).  You would think that after such dramatic events, that Jeroboam would return and obey God. But he didn’t. The chapter ends with the king returning to his idolatry and the certainty of ultimate destruction (cf. 1 Kings 13:33-34 & 2 Kings 23:12-17).
• You will want to make one other observation from 1 Kings 13. There is a story within the story.  The very prophet who announced condemnation on the king ended up being deceived as well.  At first it seemed like he was a victim of another man’s evil.  But we know from Deuteronomy 13:1-5 that God gave clear guidelines as to how to validate a prophecy.  The prophet from Judah should have known these guidelines. But he doubted, and his doubt led to disobeying the assignment God had given to him to carry out.  

So what's the point?

1 Kings 13 is more than an interesting story. It’s a WARNING. 

It is a warning to everyone who hears God’s Word preached and taught. It is a warning to everyone caught in the throws of temptation.  It is a warning for God’s people in every generation.

You can doubt and disobey, but God's Word always comes with consequences!

We can obey what God says and experience His blessing.  Or we can disobey God and experience His discipline.

What fears and temptations are you facing right now? 
What is God specifically telling you to believe?  

I don’t know God’s will for that career move you might be considering. And I don’t know if you should make or refuse to make a specific purchase. But there is one thing that I know for certain.

Whatever God says is ALWAYS…true! 

He has given you everything in the Scriptures that you need to live this side of heaven (cf. 2 Peter 1:3). So read and meditate on His Word.  And be sure to do whatever He asks.

Wholly Devoted to a Holy Life

This post is part 6 in the "Believe & Behave" series. 

Read: Isaiah 6:1-7; Ephesians 1:4; 1 Peter 1:13-16

Over the last several posts I have been writing under the premise that what we believe will ultimately impact how we behave. Even more importantly, I have been affirming in all the previous posts that what we believe about God has the potential of positively transforming EVERYTHING in our lives.

In this post I want to talk about “holiness." God’s holiness in particular!

When you hear the word holy, what comes to mind? Perhaps you conjure up images of people who are stand-offish. Or maybe you think of a specific kind of worship experience where people are doing wild and crazy things. We sometimes refer to such people as “holy-rollers.” But what does the word holy really mean?

Once again I want to encourage you to read the biblical texts cited above. Read them carefully, and several times if you can. As you do, you will see a progression of thought. You should be able to see

• something about God, 
• something wonderful that God has done, and
• something important that God wants us to do.

Something about God

Isaiah 6 is a famous text that emphasizes the character of God. Along with passages like Leviticus 11:44 we are reminded that Yahweh is “holy.” The word has the idea that God is unique beyond all other gods. In addition, Isaiah realized in his vision that God was 100% pure. There was no hint of sin or evil in His being. At the same time, the word “holy” has the idea of being “separate” and “devoted.”

God is always holy!

God is separate from sin and from people in the sense that He is not sinful like us. God is also devoted. He is devoted to the truthfulness and faithfulness of His own character. He will not stop being God. At no time will He ever have any imperfection. That is why He is also devoted to keeping the promises He makes.

Something wonderful that God has done

The idea in Ephesians 1:4 is that God has saved some people from His wrath and righteous judgment. He did this through the finished work of Christ, so that we might be “holy and blameless in His sight.” Imagine the grandeur of that statement.

No matter what sins you have committed, God sees you as holy.  

[Did I just hear you say, “AMEN”? Me too!]  GOD…HAS…MADE…CHRISTIANS…HOLY!

Something important that God wants us to do

According to 1 Peter 1:13-16, this very same God who is holy and who makes us holy, calls us to live holy lives.

Does that mean we will now be perfect in all we do? No, that’s not what Peter and the other Biblical writers are suggesting. The command to “be holy” means that we are to be devoted to God. We are to live for His fame and to do His will as the number one priority in our lives. So what are the ramifications of holiness?

Since God is holy, He calls His people to live a holy life.

Three Things You Can Do To Practice Holiness

So how does one go about living up to this calling to be holy? Keep in mind that holiness on a human level means that Christ-followers are to be DEVOTED to God. So what would it look like if we were pursuing holiness? There are a lot of answers to that question, but here are three things you can start to practice today.

WORSHIP

Start your day as a worshiper. Tell the Heavenly Father how grateful you are for all the blessings He has placed in your life. If you think you don’t have any, read Ephesians 1:1-14 to get started. Then give thanks to God for your family, your job, the food you eat, and anything else that the Holy Spirit brings to mind.

REFLECT

Devotion will be reflected in your desire to get to know the Triune God better. Adjust your daily schedule so that you have time to read and reflect on God’s Word. Start with a book of the Bible like Ephesians or Philippians. Read it again and again. The more you do, the more you will discover ways you can be devoted to our Holy God.

PROCLAIM

Every day you have hundreds of opportunities to speak with others. Some of those individuals are close friends and others are new acquaintances. The more you build relationships with people, the more you will have opportunity to tell others how God has changed your life. When you choose to be devoted to God, the more you will want to tell others how great He really is.

God is holy! He has made us holy through faith in Jesus Christ. The God who is holy calls us to be holy in all we do. 

I can’t make you believe all that is recorded above. But if you choose to believe it...

God’s holiness will transform every action and every relationship for both time and eternity!

How to Overcome The Overwhelming Circumstances of Life

This post is part 5 in the "Believe & Behave" series. 

Read: Isaiah 14:24-27

Not long ago I was preaching in a church not far from our home. The congregation is small, and so it functions very much like a family. The services are somewhat informal, where the congregants are allowed to give updates on their lives and circumstances. I was pleasantly surprised when the pastor asked for prayer requests. A lady sitting in the back row raised her hand and started to tell her story. Her prayer request was occasionally interrupted with tears, but she finally got her story out. She unashamedly acknowledged that her former spouse was taking her to court. She said she had no money to hire a lawyer. Her children were young and very much needed her care. All she wanted was the congregation to pray for her. And that’s exactly what the pastor did.

I have heard similar stories expressed multiple times during my years of pastoral ministry. Not all of them were as public as the woman just described.

• A man once reported to his family that his doctor was suggesting surgery within the week. He agreed that the advice seemed sound; yet he felt weak and powerless by the very thought of “going under the knife.”
• A woman once stated that she was putting in more and more hours at her job. Her supervisor refused to hire more help. That meant that increasing demands from a small work force were falling on her. She acknowledged that most days she felt overwhelmed and powerless.

Surely you know the feeling. You’ve probably been there on numerous occasions yourself. Those days, weeks and months when you feel overwhelmed, exhausted and barely able to think clearly. You feel helpless, lost, like there are no answers to your situation and your world is spinning out of control.

You are not alone.

So what can we do when our strength seems to be exhausted? What can we do when life circumstances overwhelm us? When everything seems out of control?

For starters, take time to read our text for the week from Isaiah 14:24-27 and notice a couple of important facts.

• God has a plan that cannot be upended by human will. (cf. ISA 14:24 & 27a)
• God is so powerful that He rules over every nation and every circumstance in life. (cf. ISA 14:25 & 26b; EPH 1:11)

Isaiah’s prophecy in chapter 14 is one of several references to what theologians identify as the "omnipotence of God." Omnipotence means that God has the supreme power to do anything He desires within the context of His will.

There are some things that God simply can’t do! He can’t lie, He cannot engage in evil acts. To do so would be contrary to His holiness, His perfection and His will. In addition, God’s omnipotence does not work in isolation. Any time the Bible refers to God’s supreme power, it is also assuming that God acts powerfully in accordance with his perfect goodness and redemptive plans.

So how does the omnipotence of God relate to your overwhelming circumstances? The next time you feel overwhelmed by health related issues or challenges in your job, remember this:

Even though you sometimes feel powerless, you always have access to God's great power!

You can gain access to God's supreme power as you engage in three daily, moment-by-moment action steps. 

1. REPENT.  Acknowledge any behavior where you rely on human strength as your primary source of rescue. Although the word “repentance” is not used in Isaiah 14:24-27, it is implied by the very use of the prophet’s oracle. He was calling his readers to repentance.
2. TRUST. Express faith in the power and goodness of God in your life. In fact, in the privacy of your own home or while driving to work praise God out loud for His omnipotence. Tell the Heavenly Father that you are trusting in His power to work through you.
3. ASK.  Request God's wisdom, insight, and SUPERNATURAL POWER to get you through your overwhelming circumstances. 

In the middle of your overwhelming circumstances, you can be certain that God is working to make you more and more like Jesus, your Savior and King! (cf. ROM 8:28-29)

Trusting in God’s power does not mean that all of your problems will be whisked away! Remember that this God who is all-powerful also has a plan for your life that you may not see at this moment of time. Yet He is always good, no matter what your outcomes may be. Trust in Him.

Inviting God Into Your Decision Making

This post is part 4 in the "Believe & Behave" series. 

Text: Romans 11:33-34; James 1:5

Every day you make hundreds of decisions. Most of them are easy to resolve. But occasionally you come up against a decision that can be the source of both fear and confusion.

Take my friend, Adam, for instance. Adam and his wife live in a comfortable home in a Midwestern community. Recently a close friend introduced them to a couple about to retire, who also has a house to sell. The home would put them in closer contact with some very good friends and good community resources. Adam and his wife have been given a tour of the house and they like the layout very much. But it is smaller than where they currently live. On top of the “opportunity” to move, an employment recruiter has approached Adam to offer him a potential new job. Like the house, the decision to switch jobs is not an easy one. How should Adam go about making these decisions?

Before you answer, I want to suggest you do two things.  

1. Change the question. After all, it is not about “how.” It’s about “who,” who does Adam need to know in making His decision? 
2. Read our texts for the week very carefully. In fact, it would be wise to read these texts several times before continuing further along in this post.

Romans 11:33-34 comes at the end of a long discussion about Israel’s future as the people of God. Paul concludes chapter 11 by telling his readers that Israel would go through a period of rejection, but then in God’s great grace, the elect people of the Old Testament would receive all the blessings God has promised to them. The overwhelming power of grace in chapter 11 takes one’s breath away. That is why Paul concludes this section with a hymn, a hymn of praise about God’s greatness and His knowledge.

Someone might question God’s strategy of grafting in Gentiles to God’s plan while temporarily excluding Jews. But such speculation is futile, since God…KNOWS…EVERYTHING! He not only knows everything, but what He knows and chooses to do with what He knows is good and perfect.

Theologians describe God’s good and perfect knowledge as omnisapience. He not only knows everything (omniscience), but He also knows what is best for His people. Paul gives us some of the details of this perfect knowledge in Romans 11:34-35. Notice three things:

God’s knowledge is vast and beyond measurement. 

The apostle uses terms like “deep,” “unsearchable” and “untraceable” to describe what God knows. These descriptors tell us that God knows everything, and He knows everything completely.  He also knows what is best for us, and what will accomplish His perfect will in our lives (cf. ROM 8:29).

God’s knowledge is supreme. 

That is, no human being has knowledge that comes close to what God knows. God does not need feedback from humans in making decisions about life. That is why Paul asks in Romans 11:34, “Who has been His counselor?” The intended answer is NO ONE!

God’s knowledge is accessible to human beings.

That is the point of James 1:5. We often don’t know what to do in the midst of trials and complex decision-making. Yet God is always available to reveal His knowledge with us. That is why decision-making is not about how to decide on something. It is about “WHO” has the information we need.

Ponder the implications the doctrine of “omnisapience” has for you. 

Do you have a decision to make that seems overwhelming?  If so, keep this in mind:

God's perfect and unlimited knowledge is our best resource for making good decisions. 

How do we ask God for wisdom?

Since God’s knowledge is both good and unlimited, we must do what James commands us to do. If you lack wisdom regarding the issues that are before you, “Ask God, who gives (wisdom) to all in generous portions without finding fault (James 1:5).” And don’t just ask once or twice. The grammar of James 1:5 teaches us to continually ask God for wisdom again and again.

What happens when we feel He doesn't hear us?

But what if you decide on a path to take, assuming that God has revealed that path to you, and things don’t go smoothly?

God never said that doing His will would come without challenges. 

The same God who reveals information to make good decisions is the same God who is present to keep on guiding us in every endeavor of life. So keep asking Him for wisdom. And keep trusting Him in all you decide to do.  

How God’s Presence Protects You!

Read: Psalm 139:7-10 & Hebrews 4:13

Americans place a high premium on our “right to privacy.” Law enforcement agencies cannot place surveillance cameras in your home because you have the “right to privacy.” The Supreme Court has often ruled against the life of the unborn on the basis of a woman’s “right to privacy.” And a person can use the Internet to watch whatever one wants in the privacy of one’s own home, based on our “right to privacy.”

It seems that “privacy” allows us to get away with whatever we want to do, as long as we are not harming anyone else in the process. However, those who wave the “privacy flag” most likely have not read our two Biblical texts for the week.

• Psalm 139:7-10 affirms that God is everywhere, and sees absolutely everything we do. 
• Hebrews 4:13 adds to the concept of God’s presence with the additional idea that we must also give an account for the things we do, whether what we do is public or in private.  

Theologians sometimes use a term to describe what the Biblical writers are talking about in these two texts. The term is “omnipresence.” It means that the Triune God is fully present everywhere. When the Biblical writers describe God as omnipresent, they are revealing a truth about God that is designed to positively impact our behavior.

Knowledge of God's constant presence is a safeguard for your spiritual health!

How is it a safeguard? Consider the following two applications from our texts.

The constant presence of God in our lives can keep us from doing evil.

I want to emphasize the word “can.” It’s possible for us to dismiss the omnipresence of God, but that would be foolish to do so. However, if we take the truth of Psalm 139 and Hebrews 4:13 to heart, this truth can actually be a safeguard for us.

Notice in Psalm 139:7-9 how the psalmist realizes that he cannot escape the reality of God’s presence. If he were to travel vertically (PSS 139:8), God would be there. If he were to move horizontally to the most distant point in the east or the west, God would be there (PSS 139:9). Knowing that he could not escape the presence of God was a check on the psalmist’s behavior. How in the world could he do evil when God saw everything?

The constant presence of God in our lives can give us peace in a world surrounded by evil.

In such circumstances we often ask, “What should I do?  Who will protect me?” Psalm 139:10 answers both questions. God will “lead” us in times of danger, especially when we call upon Him (139:10a). Not only that, God will “hold on” to us in the midst of the evil that surrounds us. It is not a guarantee that there will be no harm done to us at all. But it does mean that God will be present to watch over the well being of His people.

To keep the omnipresence of God before you, I want to encourage you to memorize Hebrews 4:13 this week. 

• Recite the verse when you awaken every day. 
• Recite it when you get in your car to carry out daily tasks.
• Recite it at the end of every day.

Memorize the truth of God’s omnipresence so you can remember that God's constant presence is a safeguard for your spiritual health.

Review the ways you see God’s presence and protection in your life every day. Share these experiences with your spouse and children. Remind yourself again that God has never been far from you. Your experiences will be an encouragement to those who listen.

Knowing theology is a good thing. In fact, what you believe about God should ultimately impact your behavior. So live in the constant presence of God, both to know and do His will. 

The Comforting Power Of God's Greatness

Text: Isaiah 46:9-10 & 1 John 1:5
This post is part of the "Believe & Behave" series.

There may have been a time in your life when you thought you could do just about anything. You could work long hours without feeling the side effects of little or no sleep. There may have been a time when you could run or walk a long distance and feel no pain in your muscles the next morning. Then you got older and your seemingly boundless energy started to wane. It is part of being human, and being human over the long haul can actually get us discouraged—even depressed.

We don’t have to live as depressed people, especially if we personally know the God of the Bible.

In fact, there is a truth about God that can positively influence your perspective on your own earthly limitations.  It is called the “infinity of God.”

When we say that God is “infinite,” we are saying that He is free of any limitations in being God. He doesn’t grow old. He doesn’t become less able to do the things He says He will do. He doesn’t face challenges that will be impossible for Him to overcome. Yet, we humans are limited in so many ways. Therefore…

In spite of our limitations, God's infinity can comfort us. 

Comfort? Is that really possible?  Consider what the Scriptures teach us about God.

1. God is infinite with respect to space.

As a human being you can only be in one place at a time. But this is not true with God. Psalm 139:7-12 reveals a God who is not limited by distance or the darkness of night. God sees our location, and He is present wherever we are. A soldier can be far from home, but he is never away from God. A daughter can go off to the university and away from a parent’s care. But she is never away from God. God is infinite with respect to space.

2. God is infinite with respect to time.  

You and I are limited in terms of our earthly existence. We are born; we live a certain number of years; and then we die. But this is not the case with God. Moses stated in Psalm 90:1-2 that God was the Creator of the material world. Yet before the earth came into existence and the mountains and seas were formed, God existed! Moses says, “From eternity to eternity, You are God.”  A student looks at a syllabus and worries as to how he will get all of the required papers written before the semester ends. He assumes that he doesn’t have enough time. Yet he can call on the Lord of time to empower and direct his efforts. After all, God is infinite with respect to time.

3. God is infinite with respect to His perfections. 

That is, there are no imperfections in God at all. Yet, we humans are limited by our sinful nature. As much as we might try, we become impatient. We may set a standard to always tell the truth, but at various times and under certain circumstances we might mislead people. This is never the case with the Almighty One. The Apostle John describes God as having “absolutely no darkness residing within Him” (1 John 1:5). Therefore, you can trust Him no matter how many times people have lied to you or mistreated you in the past. God is infinite with respect to His perfections.

Talk show hosts like to pontificate about God’s presence and power when bad things happen. A natural disaster can become the fodder for philosophical discussions regarding God’s goodness and love. A tragic shooting can bring forth dialogue about how God can be loving and still allow such wickedness to happen.

What we fail to consider is that our world is infected with sin through and through.  As a result, bad things will happen. And yet, it is in the context of these unwanted tragedies that we can call upon a God who is not limited by time, space, or imperfections.

Have you called upon Him recently? If not, start by praising Him for being the God who is infinite. Then ask Him to enter your “limiting circumstances.” He will. He knows all you are facing. He longs to be present in all you do.

Belief & Behavior: What Difference Does It Make? (Part 1)

Read: Acts 17:22-31

Over the course of the next several weeks I want to invite you to reflect with me on a new series called "Believe & Behave" which will explore the relationship between our belief and behavior. It seems almost intuitive that our beliefs influence our behavior in many different ways, doesn't it? For instance, if you believe you will get a paycheck at the end of the week for performing certain tasks, you will behave by going to work tomorrow morning. And if you believe that wet pavement is a cause for auto accidents, you will behave by driving slower in rainy weather.

If belief influences behavior, then what good is belief about God? What good is listening to biblical sermons and Bible-based thoughts about God? What good is it to participate in a weekly Bible study? 

All of these things impact your life more than you might initially have thought. Unfortunately, many people (even Christians) assume things about God that aren’t true. Then when difficulties enter their lives, they wonder where God has gone. They wonder if He really cares.

It is critical that we spend time accurately thinking about God as we care for our individual souls.

Let’s start with a biblical “belief,' a doctrine, that is very seldom discussed. It is the doctrine of the “aseity of God.”  (That’s not a misspelling! It’s a real word!)

God’s “aseity” refers to His self-sufficiency - His absolute independence! It is the very thing the Apostle Paul talked about in today’s text, Acts 17:22-24. Notice in verses 24 & 25 that Paul says the Living God “made the world and everything in it,” yet “neither is He served by human hands, as though He needed anything.”  

Why did Paul need to say this? According to Acts 17:16 the Apostle came to Athens and was shocked at the sight of widespread idolatry. Verse 18 refers to Epicurean philosophers who started to argue with Paul. We don’t hear much about Epicurean ideas these days, except perhaps in a freshman philosophy class. Epicureanism taught that God or “the gods” had vacated earthly interaction with human beings and resided in some other end of the universe. They believed that God or “gods” existed, but they were not involved with human beings. As a result, the people in Athens embraced a lot of religious talk and even made up ideas about their “self-defined gods.”

Here is where the “self-sufficiency of God” is so critical. On one hand God is totally independent. But on the other hand, this great and glorious God that Paul proclaimed was very much involved with people.  In fact,

God is totally independent from human beings, but human beings are totally dependent on God! 

“Why are we dependent on God?”  

Here is where belief will impact our behavior and emotions. Look at what our Biblical text affirms.

• STEWARDSHIP - Read verse 25. God created life, so we should see ourselves as stewards of creation. We are to care for His world.
• PROCLAMATION - Read verse 26. God ordains the trajectory of our lives and our ultimate residences, so we should live in those places proclaiming Him.  (Cf. 1 Peter 2:9)
• KNOWLEDGE - Read verses 28-29. God is totally different from human beings, so we should seek to know Him and worship Him properly. His Word becomes the primary source of our most basic forms of knowledge.  
• OBEDIENCE - Read verses 30-31.  God is holy, just, and gracious, so we should repent and obey Him in all that we do.

How does this relate to our everyday life and behavior?

Here's an example of belief and behavior in action between a grandma and her granddaughter.

A little girl spends the day with her grandmother. The grandmother has committed to baking a cake for a neighbor’s birthday celebration. The granddaughter pulls a chair up to the counter and asks her grandmother if she can help. Grandma agrees, but quite frankly the little girl’s help is not really needed. The grandmother is the one who provides all the ingredients and the knowledge of baking. At the end of the project a task is complete, a birthday cake is ready to be served. But even better, a little girl feels valued and loved by being in her Grandmother’s presence.

And so it is with the “self-sufficiency of God.”

God is totally independent from us, but we are totally dependent on Him! We should delight to be in His presence, even though He is not dependent on us for anything! 

When you think about “God’s aseity,” it will make a difference in how you eventually live.