Because of a lack of interest, this Blog is being discontinued. Thank you to those who have supported it in the past.
Yours In Christ,
Eddie Buford
Monday, November 7, 2011
Monday, October 31, 2011
THE POSITION GOD HAS FOR MAN
Psalm 8:1-9 “O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! who hast set thy glory above the heavens. 2 Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger. 3 When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained. 4 What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him? 5 For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour. 6 Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet: 7 All sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of the field; 8 The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, and whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas. 9 O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth!”
In verse 4 David asked the question “What is man?” That’s a very interesting question. One of my favorite writers, Dr. Warren Wiersbe writes “. . . Charles Darwin said man is an animal. Sigmund Freud taught that man is a spoiled child. Karl Marx believed man is an economic factor.” Are they right? I have to admit that I have seen some people who act like animals and I have seen some people who look they are fully grown, but in actions they are like a spoiled child. And in the culture in which we live, we often are nothing more than a number. But is that what man should be? How does God answer the question and cry of David?
Since God created man, he looks at His creation in a different light. To Darwin God would say that man is no animal but that He had created man “. . . in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.” (Gen. 1:26)
To Freud God would say that man was not a spoiled child but a crowning act of creation, mature in every physical, mental, and spiritual way.
To Karl Marx God would say that man is not an economic factor but one created in His own image and created to worship and bring glory to Him.
Here in Psalm 8 we see a glimpse of what God thinks of His creation. In fact, notice in verses5-8 what the Psalmist wrote about the position that God has given to man: “For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour. Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet: All sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of the field; 8 The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, and whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas.”
Here in this issue of CHALLENGING CONCEPTS and the next two, we will look at the position God has given to man. And remember, man did not and still does not, deserve anything from God. It’s all by grace.
I. THIS POSITION WAS GIVEN BY GOD THE FATHER
Notice what we read in Genesis 1:26-28 “And God said Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful and multiply and replenish the earth, and subdue it and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.”
It is interesting to me that God created man on the same day as He did the cattle, beasts of the earth and everything that creeped upon the earth. But there was one major difference. Man was created in the image of God. Man was created by God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit and was created to bring glory to Him.
In writing about the crowning creation of God, Mathew Henry wrote “His understanding saw Divine things clearly and truly; there were no errors or mistakes in his knowledge; his will consented at once, and in all things, to the will of God. His affections were all regular, and he had no bad appetites or passions. His thoughts were easily brought and fixed to the best subjects. Thus holy, thus happy, were our first parents in having the image of God upon them.”
Man did not evolve but was created fully grown with perfect capabilities. Adam’s intelligence is seen in the fact that he gave names to all the creatures that God created. Adam was told to dress the garden in which he lived but was not told how to do it. That means that Adam was a very smart creation of God. I love what the Psalmist wrote in Psalm 139:14 "I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well."
God created man to be able to fellowship with him and did so in the beautiful garden in which man lived. But something happened that marred God’s image in man, and that was sin. Dr. Wiersbe said “His mind can’t think God’s thoughts; his emotions are wrapped up in sin; his will is rebellious; and his spirit is dead."
This is a far cry from what God intended man to be. This is why the world is in the condition it is in. God’s wonderful, crowning creation is now at enmity with God. But thank God He does not leave mankind in that condition. In next week’s CHALLENGING CONCEPTS we will see what God the Son does about man’s position.
That’s my view: how about you?
In verse 4 David asked the question “What is man?” That’s a very interesting question. One of my favorite writers, Dr. Warren Wiersbe writes “. . . Charles Darwin said man is an animal. Sigmund Freud taught that man is a spoiled child. Karl Marx believed man is an economic factor.” Are they right? I have to admit that I have seen some people who act like animals and I have seen some people who look they are fully grown, but in actions they are like a spoiled child. And in the culture in which we live, we often are nothing more than a number. But is that what man should be? How does God answer the question and cry of David?
Since God created man, he looks at His creation in a different light. To Darwin God would say that man is no animal but that He had created man “. . . in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.” (Gen. 1:26)
To Freud God would say that man was not a spoiled child but a crowning act of creation, mature in every physical, mental, and spiritual way.
To Karl Marx God would say that man is not an economic factor but one created in His own image and created to worship and bring glory to Him.
Here in Psalm 8 we see a glimpse of what God thinks of His creation. In fact, notice in verses5-8 what the Psalmist wrote about the position that God has given to man: “For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour. Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet: All sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of the field; 8 The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, and whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas.”
Here in this issue of CHALLENGING CONCEPTS and the next two, we will look at the position God has given to man. And remember, man did not and still does not, deserve anything from God. It’s all by grace.
I. THIS POSITION WAS GIVEN BY GOD THE FATHER
Notice what we read in Genesis 1:26-28 “And God said Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful and multiply and replenish the earth, and subdue it and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.”
It is interesting to me that God created man on the same day as He did the cattle, beasts of the earth and everything that creeped upon the earth. But there was one major difference. Man was created in the image of God. Man was created by God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit and was created to bring glory to Him.
In writing about the crowning creation of God, Mathew Henry wrote “His understanding saw Divine things clearly and truly; there were no errors or mistakes in his knowledge; his will consented at once, and in all things, to the will of God. His affections were all regular, and he had no bad appetites or passions. His thoughts were easily brought and fixed to the best subjects. Thus holy, thus happy, were our first parents in having the image of God upon them.”
Man did not evolve but was created fully grown with perfect capabilities. Adam’s intelligence is seen in the fact that he gave names to all the creatures that God created. Adam was told to dress the garden in which he lived but was not told how to do it. That means that Adam was a very smart creation of God. I love what the Psalmist wrote in Psalm 139:14 "I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well."
God created man to be able to fellowship with him and did so in the beautiful garden in which man lived. But something happened that marred God’s image in man, and that was sin. Dr. Wiersbe said “His mind can’t think God’s thoughts; his emotions are wrapped up in sin; his will is rebellious; and his spirit is dead."
This is a far cry from what God intended man to be. This is why the world is in the condition it is in. God’s wonderful, crowning creation is now at enmity with God. But thank God He does not leave mankind in that condition. In next week’s CHALLENGING CONCEPTS we will see what God the Son does about man’s position.
That’s my view: how about you?
Monday, October 17, 2011
DREAMS – Pt 6
Psalm 126:1-6 “When the LORD turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream. Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The LORD hath done great things for them. The LORD hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad. Turn again our captivity, O LORD, as the streams in the south. They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth and weepeth bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.”
As I have written and said many times, the Psalms are my favorite part of the Word of God. I can relate to the depths of the Psalmist’s discouragement, the transparency of the heart, the cry for the sufficiency of God’s mercy, grace and help, and the joyful songs of victories that have come at the hand of God’s intervention. In this Psalm we see one of those times that the Psalmist had dreamed of, God turning his captivity and the heart that burst forth in singing and praise at the great things God had done in his life.
In these series of CHALLENGING CONCEPTS we have tried to make a practical application of how God gives certain dreams to each of His children. When those dreams are revealed, what happens and what do we do with the opportunity? Those are the questions we have strived to answer.
We have noticed the DETERMINING, DISPLAY, DIFFICULTIES and DEMANDS of the dream. Now we get to the good part. Here are the expectations we can enjoy. Let’s look at it!
V. THE DELIGHTS OF THE DREAM
We now reach the payoff of this whole thing. Those who find God's purpose for their lives and seek to fulfill that dream that God has placed down in their souls have blessings that the world cannot know. A person who has never sensed a dream or purpose from God and has never seen it come to pass, does not know the feeling of a dream realized.
There are four great delights for the godly dreamer in the second part of verse six.
A. The SURETY We Expect
Notice the two words, “shall doubtless.” Success is guaranteed in the service of God. There is no guarantee with anything in this world or what it has to offer.
I’m not talking about success as the world defines it, but as God defines it. Success in God's eyes does not necessarily mean money, power, prestige, or honor. But it does mean a full reward and confidence when we stand in His presence.
Notice what Jesus said in Matthew 25:23, “His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.”
Notice the testimony Paul gave to challenge a young preacher in II Timothy 4:7-8, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.”
Paul had the assurance that his final harvest would be a crown of righteousness. And, of course, he stated that the same crown would await those who followed their God given dream and remain steadfast until they found themselves in the presence of the Lord.
B. The STRENGTH We Experience
Notice the two words, “come again.” The farmer sows the seed, and returns periodically to cultivate his crop. This part isn’t easy. He has to hoe the weeds from the crop. There is a lot of work involved in maintenance.
The farmer comes again in the harvest. To experience the dream a person returns to the work time and time again. He needs strength for the labor. That strength comes from the Lord. We read in I Thessalonians 5:24, “Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.” It is God that strengthens His children to accomplish the dream He has given them. One of my favorite verses in the entire Word of God is Philippians 2:13 “For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.”
Failure is not an option or even a possibility for the sold-out Christian worker. We are His servant, acting on His orders. Victory and harvest are assured because it is not us that accomplishes anything. It is His strength. He works in and through the believer. I’m thankful that It’s His ministry and He allows us to partner with Him.
C. The SONG We Express
Notice the two words, “with rejoicing.” There is a special heart-felt song for the successful Christian worker. The word “rejoicing” means to proclaim with a ringing cry. It is a rejoicing that the world cannot understand.
As I have said many times, vocally and with the pen, the Psalms are some of my favorite portions of Scripture. Over and over the Psalmist cried with a loud chorus of rejoicing for the work God had accomplished in his life and his service.
We too will lift up our voices for the victory God has accomplished.
D. The SHEAVES We Experience
Notice that phrase, “bringing his sheaves with him.” It is amazing to discover that the only other place in scripture in that the Hebrew word used here (alummah) is mentioned is in Genesis 37:7. That passage is where Joseph explains his dream of the sheaves to his brothers. The sheaves represent the harvest. Truly the harvest was plenteous in Egypt when Joseph was in charge as second in command. The years in the land of God’s people was years of famine. In God’s providence the brothers of Joseph came to Egypt for corn and literally bowed before Joseph were fulfilling the dream.
In the work of God there is a harvest. Just as the farmer is dependent on the elements, the Christian laborer is dependent on God. The Apostle Paul wrote in I Corinthians 3:7, “So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.”
Each one of God’s people has a part in God’s harvest field. What has God called you to do? God will call, equip and empower you to fulfill the dream He gives you. The question is, will you be obedient? What is that dream? What are you doing to fulfill that dream?
That’s my view; how about you?
As I have written and said many times, the Psalms are my favorite part of the Word of God. I can relate to the depths of the Psalmist’s discouragement, the transparency of the heart, the cry for the sufficiency of God’s mercy, grace and help, and the joyful songs of victories that have come at the hand of God’s intervention. In this Psalm we see one of those times that the Psalmist had dreamed of, God turning his captivity and the heart that burst forth in singing and praise at the great things God had done in his life.
In these series of CHALLENGING CONCEPTS we have tried to make a practical application of how God gives certain dreams to each of His children. When those dreams are revealed, what happens and what do we do with the opportunity? Those are the questions we have strived to answer.
We have noticed the DETERMINING, DISPLAY, DIFFICULTIES and DEMANDS of the dream. Now we get to the good part. Here are the expectations we can enjoy. Let’s look at it!
V. THE DELIGHTS OF THE DREAM
We now reach the payoff of this whole thing. Those who find God's purpose for their lives and seek to fulfill that dream that God has placed down in their souls have blessings that the world cannot know. A person who has never sensed a dream or purpose from God and has never seen it come to pass, does not know the feeling of a dream realized.
There are four great delights for the godly dreamer in the second part of verse six.
A. The SURETY We Expect
Notice the two words, “shall doubtless.” Success is guaranteed in the service of God. There is no guarantee with anything in this world or what it has to offer.
I’m not talking about success as the world defines it, but as God defines it. Success in God's eyes does not necessarily mean money, power, prestige, or honor. But it does mean a full reward and confidence when we stand in His presence.
Notice what Jesus said in Matthew 25:23, “His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.”
Notice the testimony Paul gave to challenge a young preacher in II Timothy 4:7-8, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.”
Paul had the assurance that his final harvest would be a crown of righteousness. And, of course, he stated that the same crown would await those who followed their God given dream and remain steadfast until they found themselves in the presence of the Lord.
B. The STRENGTH We Experience
Notice the two words, “come again.” The farmer sows the seed, and returns periodically to cultivate his crop. This part isn’t easy. He has to hoe the weeds from the crop. There is a lot of work involved in maintenance.
The farmer comes again in the harvest. To experience the dream a person returns to the work time and time again. He needs strength for the labor. That strength comes from the Lord. We read in I Thessalonians 5:24, “Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.” It is God that strengthens His children to accomplish the dream He has given them. One of my favorite verses in the entire Word of God is Philippians 2:13 “For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.”
Failure is not an option or even a possibility for the sold-out Christian worker. We are His servant, acting on His orders. Victory and harvest are assured because it is not us that accomplishes anything. It is His strength. He works in and through the believer. I’m thankful that It’s His ministry and He allows us to partner with Him.
C. The SONG We Express
Notice the two words, “with rejoicing.” There is a special heart-felt song for the successful Christian worker. The word “rejoicing” means to proclaim with a ringing cry. It is a rejoicing that the world cannot understand.
As I have said many times, vocally and with the pen, the Psalms are some of my favorite portions of Scripture. Over and over the Psalmist cried with a loud chorus of rejoicing for the work God had accomplished in his life and his service.
We too will lift up our voices for the victory God has accomplished.
D. The SHEAVES We Experience
Notice that phrase, “bringing his sheaves with him.” It is amazing to discover that the only other place in scripture in that the Hebrew word used here (alummah) is mentioned is in Genesis 37:7. That passage is where Joseph explains his dream of the sheaves to his brothers. The sheaves represent the harvest. Truly the harvest was plenteous in Egypt when Joseph was in charge as second in command. The years in the land of God’s people was years of famine. In God’s providence the brothers of Joseph came to Egypt for corn and literally bowed before Joseph were fulfilling the dream.
In the work of God there is a harvest. Just as the farmer is dependent on the elements, the Christian laborer is dependent on God. The Apostle Paul wrote in I Corinthians 3:7, “So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.”
Each one of God’s people has a part in God’s harvest field. What has God called you to do? God will call, equip and empower you to fulfill the dream He gives you. The question is, will you be obedient? What is that dream? What are you doing to fulfill that dream?
That’s my view; how about you?
Monday, October 10, 2011
DREAMS – Pt 5
Psalm 126:1-6 “When the LORD turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream. Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The LORD hath done great things for them. The LORD hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad. Turn again our captivity, O LORD, as the streams in the south. They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth and weepeth bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.”
In the past four weeks I have tried to share my heart about dreams we have which are really from God. I remember the dreams I had as a youngster as one of my focuses was being part of the Oxford High School band. As I got married Grace and I were focused on our family, especially the children God had given us. And then God led us to Tennessee Temple University and a dream of serving together in the ministry. And all along the path God has guided us, there has been dream after dream. This has been a wonderful life. All of us can have this wonderful journey when we accept the dream God has for us and we follow that dream until the rapture or He takes us home through “spiritual sleep.”
The road is not always along a smooth paved highway. There are some potholes and even some rough terrain. But that’s part of life. Let’s look at it:
IV.THE DEMANDS OF THE DREAM
Look at verse 6, “He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.”
Have you ever heard the man-made proverb that says “God helps those who helps themselves?” You can’t say that’s true in all cases, but have to admit that you have not seen any farmer who has ever grown a crop by prayer alone.
The farmer has to go out in the field, plow the ground, plant the seeds, add the right kind of fertilizer, pray for the rain and sunshine and wait for the harvest. There has to be some work. No matter what you’re going to do, there are some demands involved.
We live in the age of impatience. We don’t just want something, we want it right now. The world market system has picked up on this and has tried to make tons of money catering to our wishes. We now have just about any kind of food you want, microwavable. Electronic equipment is almost obsolete the moment it is taken out of the box. We just don’t want to wait for anything.
People don’t even want to wait to make a phone call, it’s faster to text. This old man doesn’t know how to text. One of our grandchildren tried to text their grandmother and our daughter said, “Son, grandmother doesn’t know how to text.”
We may have instant potatoes, instant pudding and instant messaging, but there is no instant success with God. Success in the things of the Lord is earned by honoring His precepts and promises. It is an ongoing process. You and I can learn three things about God’s demands from the first part of verse six:
A. It Involves PURSUIT
Notice the phrase, “he that goeth forth.” This phrase has the idea of moving away from something and moving toward something else. We must move away from our dream and move toward sowing. There are some old songs you don’t hear much in churches today. I like the old hymns. One song says “work for the night is coming,” and another says “We’ll work till Jesus comes.” I like both of them because they are Scriptural. If you and I are going to be successful in the dream God has given us, we must put ourselves on the firing line, or at least on the business end of the hoe.
Many Christians have wonderful dreams, but they just don’t “go forth” and present themselves for the service of the Lord. A dream will stay a dream until the dreamer gets up off the seat of do-nothing and gets going in the process of sowing. Every one of us needs to be involved in some part of the mission God has given to us. Notice what Jesus said in Matthew 28:19-20, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”
B. It Involves PAIN
Notice verse 6 again and the two words “and weepeth.” Most people don’t like this part. The word “weepeth” means to lament; to bewail; to shed tears of grief or humiliation. Sometimes people cry and then at other times they weep. There is a difference.
Many of God’s people will quit when things get difficult. That’s not the way to accomplish your godly dream. This life is a proving ground. We’re not being tested for God to see how we’ll do. We’re actually tested for us to learn more about ourselves, and for us to learn more about the God who enables us to accomplish our dream. There will be difficulty and pain. It’s part of the process.
Paul had pain and testing. How did he feel about them? Notice Philippians 1:12 “But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel;”
Our prayer should be that God helps us look at pain in the same way as did Paul.
C. It Involves PURPOSE
And what is the purpose? The purpose is found in the phrase “bearing precious seed.” In the dream of every child of God, the goal is to accomplish God’s purpose. God has given us special abilities, gifts and talents and He expects each of us to use them for His glory. We’re not saved to spend life doing nothing, but to serve the Lord. We read in Ephesians 2:10 “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”
The phrase “bearing precious seed” literally means, to leave a trail to follow. The planting of the valuable seed was to set in motion events that would lead to a bumper crop. Our purpose must be to do the same thing in our lives. We’re leaving a life trail by our actions and decisions. Can others follow the trail we are leaving? I like the song: “Find Us Faithful” That’s my desire and I pray it’s also your desire.
I remember years ago I was talking to a young youth pastor and he was telling me of what he was doing with his youth group. He told me of some of his plans and goals. He told me of some of his youth activities and also showed me a youth newspaper he was producing. And then he said something to this effect: “I am doing some of the same things you use to do in your ministry with us.” Nothing could have excited me more. I had planted some seed that was yielding a harvest.
What about you? What seeds are you planting?
Next weeks in CHALLENGING CONCEPTS we will look at the last point: The DELIGHTS of the dream.
That’s my view; how about you?
In the past four weeks I have tried to share my heart about dreams we have which are really from God. I remember the dreams I had as a youngster as one of my focuses was being part of the Oxford High School band. As I got married Grace and I were focused on our family, especially the children God had given us. And then God led us to Tennessee Temple University and a dream of serving together in the ministry. And all along the path God has guided us, there has been dream after dream. This has been a wonderful life. All of us can have this wonderful journey when we accept the dream God has for us and we follow that dream until the rapture or He takes us home through “spiritual sleep.”
The road is not always along a smooth paved highway. There are some potholes and even some rough terrain. But that’s part of life. Let’s look at it:
IV.THE DEMANDS OF THE DREAM
Look at verse 6, “He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.”
Have you ever heard the man-made proverb that says “God helps those who helps themselves?” You can’t say that’s true in all cases, but have to admit that you have not seen any farmer who has ever grown a crop by prayer alone.
The farmer has to go out in the field, plow the ground, plant the seeds, add the right kind of fertilizer, pray for the rain and sunshine and wait for the harvest. There has to be some work. No matter what you’re going to do, there are some demands involved.
We live in the age of impatience. We don’t just want something, we want it right now. The world market system has picked up on this and has tried to make tons of money catering to our wishes. We now have just about any kind of food you want, microwavable. Electronic equipment is almost obsolete the moment it is taken out of the box. We just don’t want to wait for anything.
People don’t even want to wait to make a phone call, it’s faster to text. This old man doesn’t know how to text. One of our grandchildren tried to text their grandmother and our daughter said, “Son, grandmother doesn’t know how to text.”
We may have instant potatoes, instant pudding and instant messaging, but there is no instant success with God. Success in the things of the Lord is earned by honoring His precepts and promises. It is an ongoing process. You and I can learn three things about God’s demands from the first part of verse six:
A. It Involves PURSUIT
Notice the phrase, “he that goeth forth.” This phrase has the idea of moving away from something and moving toward something else. We must move away from our dream and move toward sowing. There are some old songs you don’t hear much in churches today. I like the old hymns. One song says “work for the night is coming,” and another says “We’ll work till Jesus comes.” I like both of them because they are Scriptural. If you and I are going to be successful in the dream God has given us, we must put ourselves on the firing line, or at least on the business end of the hoe.
Many Christians have wonderful dreams, but they just don’t “go forth” and present themselves for the service of the Lord. A dream will stay a dream until the dreamer gets up off the seat of do-nothing and gets going in the process of sowing. Every one of us needs to be involved in some part of the mission God has given to us. Notice what Jesus said in Matthew 28:19-20, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”
B. It Involves PAIN
Notice verse 6 again and the two words “and weepeth.” Most people don’t like this part. The word “weepeth” means to lament; to bewail; to shed tears of grief or humiliation. Sometimes people cry and then at other times they weep. There is a difference.
Many of God’s people will quit when things get difficult. That’s not the way to accomplish your godly dream. This life is a proving ground. We’re not being tested for God to see how we’ll do. We’re actually tested for us to learn more about ourselves, and for us to learn more about the God who enables us to accomplish our dream. There will be difficulty and pain. It’s part of the process.
Paul had pain and testing. How did he feel about them? Notice Philippians 1:12 “But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel;”
Our prayer should be that God helps us look at pain in the same way as did Paul.
C. It Involves PURPOSE
And what is the purpose? The purpose is found in the phrase “bearing precious seed.” In the dream of every child of God, the goal is to accomplish God’s purpose. God has given us special abilities, gifts and talents and He expects each of us to use them for His glory. We’re not saved to spend life doing nothing, but to serve the Lord. We read in Ephesians 2:10 “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”
The phrase “bearing precious seed” literally means, to leave a trail to follow. The planting of the valuable seed was to set in motion events that would lead to a bumper crop. Our purpose must be to do the same thing in our lives. We’re leaving a life trail by our actions and decisions. Can others follow the trail we are leaving? I like the song: “Find Us Faithful” That’s my desire and I pray it’s also your desire.
I remember years ago I was talking to a young youth pastor and he was telling me of what he was doing with his youth group. He told me of some of his plans and goals. He told me of some of his youth activities and also showed me a youth newspaper he was producing. And then he said something to this effect: “I am doing some of the same things you use to do in your ministry with us.” Nothing could have excited me more. I had planted some seed that was yielding a harvest.
What about you? What seeds are you planting?
Next weeks in CHALLENGING CONCEPTS we will look at the last point: The DELIGHTS of the dream.
That’s my view; how about you?
Monday, October 3, 2011
DREAMS – Pt 4
Psalm 126:1-3 “When the LORD turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream. Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The LORD hath done great things for them. The LORD hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad.”
There must be a caution at this point. Just because someone has a dream and a desire, doesn’t mean that dream is from God. King David looked at his house of cedar and remembered that the “ark of God” dwelled in a tent, and dreamed about building a magnificent temple for God. David even got encouragement from Nathan, but later Nathan came back and said that God had told him that David was not to build that temple.
There are times that we have a dream but that dream is not of God. We might even have some good meaning friends who encourage us in that dream. We need to make sure our dream is from God.
Remember, in our first point in this series we said that God would direct us and show us His will. We also pointed out that the success of our dream or the dream of others can encourage many other believers to pursue their dream.
In this week’s CHALLENGING CONCEPTS we have to face the fact that there can be difficulties pursuing our dreams.
III. THE DIFFICULTIES OF THE DREAM
Look now at Psalm 126:3-5 “The LORD hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad. Turn again our captivity, O LORD, as the streams in the south. They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.”
I have known many people who have started off on their way to fulfilling God’s purposes for their lives. I have seen some succeed, but I have also seen some get sidetracked. I have seen some fail miserably.
I remember a young man who moved his family to Chattanooga to enter Bible college. He came in like a tornado, but left like puff of smoke. He had a great dream. He had great plans but it was just too hard for him to stay. Was he called of God? Was his dream from God? Only he and God really knows the answer to those questions.
I have also been amazed how some people attack life with the tenacity of a Pit Bull and never allow any kind of difficulty to affect them. What’s the difference between the two? In the verses we just read God shows us how to achieve our dreams in spite of the difficulties we’re sure to face in our walk. Let’s take a look at what God shares:
A. ACKNOWLEDGE past blessings
Notice verse 3 “The LORD hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad.”
In verse 2 it was the heathen who pointed out the blessings of God. Now in verse 3 the Psalmist himself who remembers the great victories and agrees with the unbelievers that God was a great God.
It’s a sad situation when the unsaved world points out how great God is, but it is true that there are times in which we forget that we are God’s children and that He walks with us and helps us every minute of the day. In times of difficulty we become ignorant of His presence and His blessings. God’s past blessings are solid evidence for future ones.
B. ASK for present blessings
Notice verse 4 “Turn again our captivity, O LORD, as the streams in the south.”
The Psalmist is asking. James 4:2 “. . . ye have not, because ye ask not.” Sometimes we have the idea that since God already knows, why bother asking. God wants us to bring our hopes and desires to Him in prayer. This is what Jabez did in I Chronicles 4:10, “And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested.”
You and I are to do the same thing. We must seek God’s blessings on all that we dream or do. If God’s blessings are not on our service, it will be a failure. We read in John 15:5 “I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.” We must have God’s blessings.
C. AFFIRM promised blessings
Notice verse 5 “They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.”
This great truth is sometimes quoted very flippantly. There’s a great truth here. For those in deepest poverty, this is a supreme act of faith. Many times the seed was a large portion of their food supply. To go out and plant that seed instead of eating it took great faith. What would they do tomorrow? How would they survive?
For the child of God to gain future blessings, he must be willing to give up present benefits. To the farmer and herdsman of the plain, there were no guarantees that their crops would ever come to harvest. They were exposed to robbers and even invading armies. They faced all manner of evil every day of their life. They did not live in a walled city for defense. All They had were the promises of God. It took a lot of faith to plant the seeds in the face of such adversity.
In our walk with the Lord there are many tears. As we serve there are hardship and trials. We sometimes weep while we continue to pursue our dream. That’s part of life. But remember there’s a harvest we will reap here on this earth. I look at lives I have influenced for God and I rejoice in that. But there’s a greater harvest coming for the child of God. It’s a sure harvest because God has promised it and He cannot lie.
I firmly believe that when we see that final harvest, we will thank God for the privilege of experiencing the tears of our sowing.
In next week’s CHALLENGING CONCEPTS we will examine verse 6 and the DEMANDS of the dream.
That’s my view; how about you?
There must be a caution at this point. Just because someone has a dream and a desire, doesn’t mean that dream is from God. King David looked at his house of cedar and remembered that the “ark of God” dwelled in a tent, and dreamed about building a magnificent temple for God. David even got encouragement from Nathan, but later Nathan came back and said that God had told him that David was not to build that temple.
There are times that we have a dream but that dream is not of God. We might even have some good meaning friends who encourage us in that dream. We need to make sure our dream is from God.
Remember, in our first point in this series we said that God would direct us and show us His will. We also pointed out that the success of our dream or the dream of others can encourage many other believers to pursue their dream.
In this week’s CHALLENGING CONCEPTS we have to face the fact that there can be difficulties pursuing our dreams.
III. THE DIFFICULTIES OF THE DREAM
Look now at Psalm 126:3-5 “The LORD hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad. Turn again our captivity, O LORD, as the streams in the south. They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.”
I have known many people who have started off on their way to fulfilling God’s purposes for their lives. I have seen some succeed, but I have also seen some get sidetracked. I have seen some fail miserably.
I remember a young man who moved his family to Chattanooga to enter Bible college. He came in like a tornado, but left like puff of smoke. He had a great dream. He had great plans but it was just too hard for him to stay. Was he called of God? Was his dream from God? Only he and God really knows the answer to those questions.
I have also been amazed how some people attack life with the tenacity of a Pit Bull and never allow any kind of difficulty to affect them. What’s the difference between the two? In the verses we just read God shows us how to achieve our dreams in spite of the difficulties we’re sure to face in our walk. Let’s take a look at what God shares:
A. ACKNOWLEDGE past blessings
Notice verse 3 “The LORD hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad.”
In verse 2 it was the heathen who pointed out the blessings of God. Now in verse 3 the Psalmist himself who remembers the great victories and agrees with the unbelievers that God was a great God.
It’s a sad situation when the unsaved world points out how great God is, but it is true that there are times in which we forget that we are God’s children and that He walks with us and helps us every minute of the day. In times of difficulty we become ignorant of His presence and His blessings. God’s past blessings are solid evidence for future ones.
B. ASK for present blessings
Notice verse 4 “Turn again our captivity, O LORD, as the streams in the south.”
The Psalmist is asking. James 4:2 “. . . ye have not, because ye ask not.” Sometimes we have the idea that since God already knows, why bother asking. God wants us to bring our hopes and desires to Him in prayer. This is what Jabez did in I Chronicles 4:10, “And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested.”
You and I are to do the same thing. We must seek God’s blessings on all that we dream or do. If God’s blessings are not on our service, it will be a failure. We read in John 15:5 “I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.” We must have God’s blessings.
C. AFFIRM promised blessings
Notice verse 5 “They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.”
This great truth is sometimes quoted very flippantly. There’s a great truth here. For those in deepest poverty, this is a supreme act of faith. Many times the seed was a large portion of their food supply. To go out and plant that seed instead of eating it took great faith. What would they do tomorrow? How would they survive?
For the child of God to gain future blessings, he must be willing to give up present benefits. To the farmer and herdsman of the plain, there were no guarantees that their crops would ever come to harvest. They were exposed to robbers and even invading armies. They faced all manner of evil every day of their life. They did not live in a walled city for defense. All They had were the promises of God. It took a lot of faith to plant the seeds in the face of such adversity.
In our walk with the Lord there are many tears. As we serve there are hardship and trials. We sometimes weep while we continue to pursue our dream. That’s part of life. But remember there’s a harvest we will reap here on this earth. I look at lives I have influenced for God and I rejoice in that. But there’s a greater harvest coming for the child of God. It’s a sure harvest because God has promised it and He cannot lie.
I firmly believe that when we see that final harvest, we will thank God for the privilege of experiencing the tears of our sowing.
In next week’s CHALLENGING CONCEPTS we will examine verse 6 and the DEMANDS of the dream.
That’s my view; how about you?
Monday, September 26, 2011
DREAMS – Pt 3
Psalm 126:1-3 “When the LORD turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream. Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The LORD hath done great things for them. The LORD hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad.”
In last week’s CHALLENGING CONCEPTS we looked at the first point in our study which was the DETERMINING of the dream. God does give each of us dreams and we must determine what God wants us to do.
This week we go one step further in our challenge to pursue what God wants out of our life.
II. THE DISPLAY OF THE DREAM
Look at verse 2, “Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The LORD hath done great things for them.”
Notice the phrase, “turned again the captivity of Zion.” The city of Jerusalem had been saved. It was a miraculous victory as God destroyed the Assyrian army in one night while they were in their sleep.
As he remembered and retraced how God had come to the rescue of His people, the Psalmist gets excited. Notice how he draws strength from his memory of this past blessing.
A. There Was MERRIMENT
Notice the response of the Psalmist when he thought about the great power that God displayed in the deliverance of the city of Jerusalem. Notice the phrase “then was our mouth filled with laughter.”
Have you ever gotten so excited about something that you began to giggle? I have! I remember when our Christian school in Kansas City went to play in the basketball finals at Maranatha Baptist College. In the semi-finals the regulation game ended in a tie. The overtime came down to the last second and Brek Cockrell took a half-court shot when the buzzer went off. The ball touched nothing but net and we went wild. We were laughing and giggling. We were excited about what had happened.
Can you imagine how much more merriment was going on at the miracle that God performed for His people.
The deliverance of the city of Jerusalem did not necessarily help those outside the walls of the city, but it did encourage them to trust God in their own lives. As a point of application, that means that you and I should put our dreams on display so that others can be blessed and challenged when God works.
The body of Christ has the unique opportunity to encourage and help each other fulfill the purpose of God for their lives. This is one of the reasons I like small groups in the church, whether be it Sunday school classes or groups that are divided at other times of the week. In these small groups you have the opportunity to testify of what God is doing in each life. What an encouragement we can be to each other.
B. There Was MUSIC
Notice verse 2 again, especially the phrase “and our tongue with singing.” The concept of singing originated as a method of praising God. The sad thing is that in my lifetime singing has been demoted to blasphemy in many cases. Some popular music today contains the basest of words and thoughts.
When a godly dream is fulfilled and displayed for everybody to see, a natural spirit of praise flows from the heart and resonates into singing.
The Psalmist declared in Psalm 40:10, “I have not hid thy righteousness within my heart; I have declared thy faithfulness and thy salvation: I have not concealed thy lovingkindness and thy truth from the great congregation.”
I used to work with a man who always had a song on his heart. If he wasn’t singing, he was whistling. He was the kind of man you liked to be around. He had a song in his heart and he wasn’t ashamed to let it out.
C. There Was A MESSAGE
Look at the last part of verse 2 and verse 3, “. . . then said they among the heathen, The LORD hath done great things for them. The LORD hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad.”
(1) It Was A Message Of GREATNESS
We need to remember that God and man see greatness in different ways. That is natural, because man always sees things differently than does God. Man’s eyesight is limited here on earth. Paul wrote in I Corinthians 13: 12 “For now we see through a glass, darkly; . . “
Man only sees it after the fact; God sees the inner greatness that was present all the time. One of my favorite stories in the Old Testament is found in the 6th chapter of II Kings. The prophet Elisha was being hunted by the king of Syria. When he was located the army of Syria came by night and surrounded the city where Elisha was. Early the next morning the servants of God’s man went outside and saw the enemy surrounding them. He ran back to Elisha, told him of the circumstance, and wanted to know what they were going to do. Elisha calmly said there were more for them than there were against them. Of course the servant of Elisha was looking with man’s eyes. And then Elisha called upon God in II Kings 6:17 “And Elisha prayed and said LORD, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.”
Of course the greatness of God was displayed as God came to the rescue of His servant.
That’s the message you and I have. God always works in miraculous ways. The fulfillment and display of godly dreams is a testimony of the great love and compassion that God has to His people. The lost world could not deny that God had delivered His people. The people of God are great only because of their relationship with Him. After the wonderful victory, the heathen all around Judah could see God’s care of His people.
(2) It Was A Message Of GLADNESS
There is always a song on the heart of God’s people when God’s power is demonstrated. What has God done for you lately? Do you have a heart of gratitude and gladness?
That’s my view; how about you?
In last week’s CHALLENGING CONCEPTS we looked at the first point in our study which was the DETERMINING of the dream. God does give each of us dreams and we must determine what God wants us to do.
This week we go one step further in our challenge to pursue what God wants out of our life.
II. THE DISPLAY OF THE DREAM
Look at verse 2, “Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The LORD hath done great things for them.”
Notice the phrase, “turned again the captivity of Zion.” The city of Jerusalem had been saved. It was a miraculous victory as God destroyed the Assyrian army in one night while they were in their sleep.
As he remembered and retraced how God had come to the rescue of His people, the Psalmist gets excited. Notice how he draws strength from his memory of this past blessing.
A. There Was MERRIMENT
Notice the response of the Psalmist when he thought about the great power that God displayed in the deliverance of the city of Jerusalem. Notice the phrase “then was our mouth filled with laughter.”
Have you ever gotten so excited about something that you began to giggle? I have! I remember when our Christian school in Kansas City went to play in the basketball finals at Maranatha Baptist College. In the semi-finals the regulation game ended in a tie. The overtime came down to the last second and Brek Cockrell took a half-court shot when the buzzer went off. The ball touched nothing but net and we went wild. We were laughing and giggling. We were excited about what had happened.
Can you imagine how much more merriment was going on at the miracle that God performed for His people.
The deliverance of the city of Jerusalem did not necessarily help those outside the walls of the city, but it did encourage them to trust God in their own lives. As a point of application, that means that you and I should put our dreams on display so that others can be blessed and challenged when God works.
The body of Christ has the unique opportunity to encourage and help each other fulfill the purpose of God for their lives. This is one of the reasons I like small groups in the church, whether be it Sunday school classes or groups that are divided at other times of the week. In these small groups you have the opportunity to testify of what God is doing in each life. What an encouragement we can be to each other.
B. There Was MUSIC
Notice verse 2 again, especially the phrase “and our tongue with singing.” The concept of singing originated as a method of praising God. The sad thing is that in my lifetime singing has been demoted to blasphemy in many cases. Some popular music today contains the basest of words and thoughts.
When a godly dream is fulfilled and displayed for everybody to see, a natural spirit of praise flows from the heart and resonates into singing.
The Psalmist declared in Psalm 40:10, “I have not hid thy righteousness within my heart; I have declared thy faithfulness and thy salvation: I have not concealed thy lovingkindness and thy truth from the great congregation.”
I used to work with a man who always had a song on his heart. If he wasn’t singing, he was whistling. He was the kind of man you liked to be around. He had a song in his heart and he wasn’t ashamed to let it out.
C. There Was A MESSAGE
Look at the last part of verse 2 and verse 3, “. . . then said they among the heathen, The LORD hath done great things for them. The LORD hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad.”
(1) It Was A Message Of GREATNESS
We need to remember that God and man see greatness in different ways. That is natural, because man always sees things differently than does God. Man’s eyesight is limited here on earth. Paul wrote in I Corinthians 13: 12 “For now we see through a glass, darkly; . . “
Man only sees it after the fact; God sees the inner greatness that was present all the time. One of my favorite stories in the Old Testament is found in the 6th chapter of II Kings. The prophet Elisha was being hunted by the king of Syria. When he was located the army of Syria came by night and surrounded the city where Elisha was. Early the next morning the servants of God’s man went outside and saw the enemy surrounding them. He ran back to Elisha, told him of the circumstance, and wanted to know what they were going to do. Elisha calmly said there were more for them than there were against them. Of course the servant of Elisha was looking with man’s eyes. And then Elisha called upon God in II Kings 6:17 “And Elisha prayed and said LORD, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.”
Of course the greatness of God was displayed as God came to the rescue of His servant.
That’s the message you and I have. God always works in miraculous ways. The fulfillment and display of godly dreams is a testimony of the great love and compassion that God has to His people. The lost world could not deny that God had delivered His people. The people of God are great only because of their relationship with Him. After the wonderful victory, the heathen all around Judah could see God’s care of His people.
(2) It Was A Message Of GLADNESS
There is always a song on the heart of God’s people when God’s power is demonstrated. What has God done for you lately? Do you have a heart of gratitude and gladness?
That’s my view; how about you?
Monday, September 19, 2011
DREAMS – Pt 2
Psalm 126:1-3 “When the LORD turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream. Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The LORD hath done great things for them. The LORD hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad.”
Moses was a man that dreamed of delivering his nation from the bondage they were under at the hands of the Egyptians. In our last series of CHALLENGING CONCEPTS we saw how God placed him on the back side of the desert while he was prepared for the ministry God had for him.
Since he had spent his early years in the household of a king, Moses probably thought that the nation of Israel would be greatly honored to know that a prince was going to take up their cause. We know that did come to pass. He had a dream but tried to fulfill that dream in his own ability.
In this week’s study we want to again emphasize the necessity of God’s work in accomplishing anything of eternal value in and through us.
I. THE DETERMINING OF THE DREAM
In this point we want to see what the Psalmist has to say about the problems faced and the victory that can be experienced by the individual. Notice verse 1 again “When the LORD turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream.”
A. We See The PROBLEMS Of Life
Notice the word “captivity.” There are many different opinions to which captivity is being alluded to here. Some commentaries believe this to be the captivity of Babylonian or the Assyrian siege of Sennacherib. But for the application to us, we can understand it to refers\ to all manner of misfortune and trouble. Whatever is meant by the word, "captivity," we know the captivity brought about a tremendous need in the life of God’s people.
I think the first thing we need to understand is that this was a need. Is there a need in your life? I know there is in mine. At this time in the liXES of my wife and myself, there is a very important need in our lives.
Needs are everywhere, but our dream is determined by which weighs the heaviest on our heart. There has to be something that drives you in life. The wise man Solomon wrote in Proverbs 29:18, "Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he." You need a vision or a dream to determine your focus.
Again, I ask the question about whether of not there’s a problem or need in your life? If the answer to that question is “yes,” then I’m sure there is a dream of victory over that problem or need.
We not only see the PROBLEMS of life, but:
B. We See The PRECIOUSNESS Of Faith
Notice verse 1 again, especially the phrase "When the LORD turned again the captivity of Zion." If we see a problem or need that troubles us, go to God. The first thing we need is wisdom so we remember the promise found in James 1:5 "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him."
When you consider the problem or need in your life, ask the question: What would God have you do? What does He want? Study the Word of God, pray and seek the face of God. We must know that God is leading us. It has to be the Lord that does the work, not our own efforts. Paul said in Philippians 2:13, "For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure."
I have come to love Philippians 2:13. God is telling us something vital about needs and problems. We must allow God to work in our lives. In that verse we learn: (1) God works within us (in the person of the Holy Spirit) to give us the desire (to will) to do the right thing, which is His will; (2) God gives us the power (to do) to do what He wants in the need or problem. It doesn’t get any better than that.
God has a perfect will for the need or problem. He wants us to do His will. He wants us to know and do His perfect will, which will be revealed when He knows we will obey. He’s not playing hide-and-seek with His will for our life. Trust Him while in the problem. That may be hard but remember the preciousness of faith.
Notice what we read in Hebrews 11:6 “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”
I love the phrase “must believe that he is. . .” He is what? He’s still God. He’s not just God at certain times and in certain situations. He’s God on the mountains and God in the valleys. He’s God in the good times and God in the bad times. He’s God in the sunshine and He’s God in the rain. We have to just trust God in every need.
We see the PROBLEMS of life and the PRESCIOUSNESS of faith, but also:
C. We See The PRECEPTS Of Scripture
The third ingredient of determining our dream is the Word of God. We should never trust our own intellect or feelings. We read in Jeremiah 10:23, "O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps."
Man’s intellect and emotions are tainted because of the Adamic nature he still has. It would be good if when we get saved that God would eradicate the old nature but he doesn’t.
In discussing the battle that went on in his body, the Apostle Paul said in Roman 9:19 “For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.” The old nature gave Paul some problems. He then said in verse 24 “O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?” Paul, probably the most spiritual man who ever lived outside the Lord Jesus Christ, knew that his intellect and feelings were not sufficient to accomplish spiritual desires and dreams.
The wise man Solomon wrote in Proverbs 20:24 "Man's goings are of the LORD; how can a man then understand his own way?" Man cannot accomplish anything of himself.
God's will is always found in Scripture. Many people get caught up in a "project" or a "cause", but fail when the emotions of the moment fade. We find the proof for this point in the our text and the phrase, "turned again." God promised the nation of Israel that He would punish their sin and reward their repentance. The Psalmist learned this from the writings of Moses that God honors His repentance.
In next week’s CHALLENGING CONCEPTS we will see THE DISPLAY of the dream.
That’s my view; how about you?
Moses was a man that dreamed of delivering his nation from the bondage they were under at the hands of the Egyptians. In our last series of CHALLENGING CONCEPTS we saw how God placed him on the back side of the desert while he was prepared for the ministry God had for him.
Since he had spent his early years in the household of a king, Moses probably thought that the nation of Israel would be greatly honored to know that a prince was going to take up their cause. We know that did come to pass. He had a dream but tried to fulfill that dream in his own ability.
In this week’s study we want to again emphasize the necessity of God’s work in accomplishing anything of eternal value in and through us.
I. THE DETERMINING OF THE DREAM
In this point we want to see what the Psalmist has to say about the problems faced and the victory that can be experienced by the individual. Notice verse 1 again “When the LORD turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream.”
A. We See The PROBLEMS Of Life
Notice the word “captivity.” There are many different opinions to which captivity is being alluded to here. Some commentaries believe this to be the captivity of Babylonian or the Assyrian siege of Sennacherib. But for the application to us, we can understand it to refers\ to all manner of misfortune and trouble. Whatever is meant by the word, "captivity," we know the captivity brought about a tremendous need in the life of God’s people.
I think the first thing we need to understand is that this was a need. Is there a need in your life? I know there is in mine. At this time in the liXES of my wife and myself, there is a very important need in our lives.
Needs are everywhere, but our dream is determined by which weighs the heaviest on our heart. There has to be something that drives you in life. The wise man Solomon wrote in Proverbs 29:18, "Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he." You need a vision or a dream to determine your focus.
Again, I ask the question about whether of not there’s a problem or need in your life? If the answer to that question is “yes,” then I’m sure there is a dream of victory over that problem or need.
We not only see the PROBLEMS of life, but:
B. We See The PRECIOUSNESS Of Faith
Notice verse 1 again, especially the phrase "When the LORD turned again the captivity of Zion." If we see a problem or need that troubles us, go to God. The first thing we need is wisdom so we remember the promise found in James 1:5 "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him."
When you consider the problem or need in your life, ask the question: What would God have you do? What does He want? Study the Word of God, pray and seek the face of God. We must know that God is leading us. It has to be the Lord that does the work, not our own efforts. Paul said in Philippians 2:13, "For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure."
I have come to love Philippians 2:13. God is telling us something vital about needs and problems. We must allow God to work in our lives. In that verse we learn: (1) God works within us (in the person of the Holy Spirit) to give us the desire (to will) to do the right thing, which is His will; (2) God gives us the power (to do) to do what He wants in the need or problem. It doesn’t get any better than that.
God has a perfect will for the need or problem. He wants us to do His will. He wants us to know and do His perfect will, which will be revealed when He knows we will obey. He’s not playing hide-and-seek with His will for our life. Trust Him while in the problem. That may be hard but remember the preciousness of faith.
Notice what we read in Hebrews 11:6 “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”
I love the phrase “must believe that he is. . .” He is what? He’s still God. He’s not just God at certain times and in certain situations. He’s God on the mountains and God in the valleys. He’s God in the good times and God in the bad times. He’s God in the sunshine and He’s God in the rain. We have to just trust God in every need.
We see the PROBLEMS of life and the PRESCIOUSNESS of faith, but also:
C. We See The PRECEPTS Of Scripture
The third ingredient of determining our dream is the Word of God. We should never trust our own intellect or feelings. We read in Jeremiah 10:23, "O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps."
Man’s intellect and emotions are tainted because of the Adamic nature he still has. It would be good if when we get saved that God would eradicate the old nature but he doesn’t.
In discussing the battle that went on in his body, the Apostle Paul said in Roman 9:19 “For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.” The old nature gave Paul some problems. He then said in verse 24 “O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?” Paul, probably the most spiritual man who ever lived outside the Lord Jesus Christ, knew that his intellect and feelings were not sufficient to accomplish spiritual desires and dreams.
The wise man Solomon wrote in Proverbs 20:24 "Man's goings are of the LORD; how can a man then understand his own way?" Man cannot accomplish anything of himself.
God's will is always found in Scripture. Many people get caught up in a "project" or a "cause", but fail when the emotions of the moment fade. We find the proof for this point in the our text and the phrase, "turned again." God promised the nation of Israel that He would punish their sin and reward their repentance. The Psalmist learned this from the writings of Moses that God honors His repentance.
In next week’s CHALLENGING CONCEPTS we will see THE DISPLAY of the dream.
That’s my view; how about you?
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