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Well, my plan for yesterday was to read through the gospel of John since I didn’t have much energy for housework. Earlier that day a friend had asked me if there were any verses in the Bible about how to hear Gods voice and I didn’t really have much to tell her. I said I didn’t think the Bible laid out any clear cut formula but that it was just a matter of your relationship with him. As I set out to read John I found myself reading answers to that very question.
We have three options for the source of what we hear. Either it is the enemy trying to lead us astray, our flesh trying to please itself, or God guiding us. I found three verses that explain how I usually discern what is behind the things I hear. The first verse that struck me was John 3:31, “He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from heaven is above all.” Is this for any eternal benefit. Then 6:63, “It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.” Is there any way this could be the enemy trying to get me off track by getting me to focus on my flesh. Finally 7:24, “Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.” Can I see Gods work being done through this or my own adgenda. I don’t believe that if it is something I want it is always against what God wants but I tend to be more skeptical. It seems to many times be a lot like playing chess except in life I’m not forced to play my hand whether I know the outcome or not. I can always stay put until God makes His way clear.
One of the biggest things that struck me was the conversations Jesus had with the Pharisees. It seemed like, in John anyway, most of the time they were trying to recognize who Jesus was so in a way it is like our struggles today with wondering where our messages come from. The Pharisees were always asking who He was and He was always telling them that if they had known His Father they would know Him. (John 5:39-42, 6:45, 8:19,54-55) Knowing the Father always went hand in hand with knowing the scripture. “Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:31-32) Jesus said to the Pharisees, “Do ye not therefore err, because ye know not the scriptures, neither the power of God?” (Mark 12:24) Now this statement had to offend the Pharisees. I doubt anyone “knew” the scripture like them. The problem was that they got the legalities but totally missed the heart of Gods word. It isn’t just in the New Testament where people enter into a relationship with God. There were many in the Old Testament that had a great love relationship with God. David would have to be the best example. God Himself called David “a man after His own heart”, David loved God so much that his hearts desires were put aside for Gods. The psalms are full of David’s love letters to his king. In the largest chapter in the larges book of the Bible,(Psalm 119) David relays over and over where his guidance and comfort comes from, Gods word. The Pharisees could have known the Father through the word as well but they had chosen to focus on the law. Jesus rebukes them for this in Luke 11:42, “But woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass over judgment and the love of God: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.” They did not search the scriptures closely enough. They focused so much on the preciseness of their tithe that they completey missed the message of Gods love for them. Therefore when Jesus came, they did not recognize Him.
I think that is a great lesson for us. The better we know Gods word the more we know Him and can recognize when He is speaking.
The only times I have known God was speaking to me have been the times it was clearly an eternal matter, a little poke in the ribs when I am considering sin to say, “Nah, ah, ah”, or a little push to pray for someone, write to someone, fast, or spend time alone with God. I know it is Him when my flesh doesn’t want to and I satan would hate it. But most of the time He uses His word. He puts a verse I’ve memorized into my head right when I need it most, or He directs me to a certain book or subject I need to study.
Of the things I hear that I am not sure of, especially when it appeals to my flesh, I am always careful of until God shows me beyond a shadow of a doubt where He is in the matter.
Friday, February 23, 2007
Ecclesiastes Reflections
Therefore, my beloved brethren,
Be ye stedfast,
Unmoveable,
Always abounding in the work of the Lord,
Forasmuch as ye know
That your labour is not in vain
In the Lord.
1 Corinthians 15:58
If I have learned anything in life it is that nothing you do matters unless it is for God. The book of Ecclesiastes lays this fact out quite plainly.
Solomon had his faults but when God asked what He could give him Solomon asked for wisdom, (1 Kings 3) and not wisdom to gain power, or a superiority over others, but so that he could take good care of his people. Oh that all of us would consider God, and the people when we come to those crossroads of life where we have to chose what road to take.
I met a young man recently and we came to the subject of his future profession. He told me that he hadn't decided what he wanted to do yet but that he was either going to be a lawyer or a doctor. Now there is nothing wrong with being a doctor or a lawyer but the only thing that makes those two professions remotely alike is that both are, generally, big money makers. So when I hear people say they are choosing between the two it is clear to me that dollar signs are the deciding factor in this decision and neither of these professions should be entered into solely on the basis of making money. People would be putting their lives in their hands, and it should mean more to them than that. Anyway, it made me sad that this young man was only concerned with money.
Ecclesiastes 5:15, 16 says, "As he came forth of his mother's womb, naked shall he return to go as he came, and shall take nothing of his labour, which he may carry away in his hand." He says that all the physical things of this earth that we labor for eventually turn to dust. "what profit hath he that hath laboured for the wind?" What point is there in working so hard for something that is so temporary?
Some might say, "But I would at least enjoy my things while I was alive." But would you? Solomon said in chapter 2 verses 10-11, "And whatsoever mine eyes desired I kept not from them, I withheld not my heart from any joy; for my heart rejoiced in all my labour: and this was my portion of all my labour. Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to do: and, behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun." The pleasures of the flesh are fleeting as well. It doesn't fulfill. We see many examples of this in Hollywood today. They are just as much, if not more of a mess than the rest of the world. Money hasn't fulfilled anything for them. When asked if he was happy with all his riches, John D. Rockefeller said, "I have made millions, but they have brought be no happiness." John Jacob Astor, American Fur Company Tycoon, who left his children with $20 million at his death in 1848 said, "I am the most miserable man on earth" Henry Ford said, "I was happier when doing a mechanic's job." Solomon had wealth that far surpassed even the wealthiest American and even he did not see any long lasting comfort in these things.
All of the pleasures that Solomon heaped upon his flesh, all of the wealth he accumulated during his life have now been gone for thousands of years, but something of his labor still remains. Ecclesiastes 3:14, "I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it." Proverbs and Ecclesiastes, the wisdom of God poured out through Solomon to us today, still alive, still teaching and exhorting Gods people, from Solomon, to today, to the return of Christ in the future.
No, a Christian life is not free of hardships, but there is a joy that comes from knowing that your struggles are endured for a lasting cause.Be ye stedfast,
Unmoveable,
Always abounding in the work of the Lord,
Forasmuch as ye know
That your labour is not in vain
In the Lord.
1 Corinthians 15:58
If I have learned anything in life it is that nothing you do matters unless it is for God. The book of Ecclesiastes lays this fact out quite plainly.
Solomon had his faults but when God asked what He could give him Solomon asked for wisdom, (1 Kings 3) and not wisdom to gain power, or a superiority over others, but so that he could take good care of his people. Oh that all of us would consider God, and the people when we come to those crossroads of life where we have to chose what road to take.
I met a young man recently and we came to the subject of his future profession. He told me that he hadn't decided what he wanted to do yet but that he was either going to be a lawyer or a doctor. Now there is nothing wrong with being a doctor or a lawyer but the only thing that makes those two professions remotely alike is that both are, generally, big money makers. So when I hear people say they are choosing between the two it is clear to me that dollar signs are the deciding factor in this decision and neither of these professions should be entered into solely on the basis of making money. People would be putting their lives in their hands, and it should mean more to them than that. Anyway, it made me sad that this young man was only concerned with money.
Ecclesiastes 5:15, 16 says, "As he came forth of his mother's womb, naked shall he return to go as he came, and shall take nothing of his labour, which he may carry away in his hand." He says that all the physical things of this earth that we labor for eventually turn to dust. "what profit hath he that hath laboured for the wind?" What point is there in working so hard for something that is so temporary?
Some might say, "But I would at least enjoy my things while I was alive." But would you? Solomon said in chapter 2 verses 10-11, "And whatsoever mine eyes desired I kept not from them, I withheld not my heart from any joy; for my heart rejoiced in all my labour: and this was my portion of all my labour. Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to do: and, behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun." The pleasures of the flesh are fleeting as well. It doesn't fulfill. We see many examples of this in Hollywood today. They are just as much, if not more of a mess than the rest of the world. Money hasn't fulfilled anything for them. When asked if he was happy with all his riches, John D. Rockefeller said, "I have made millions, but they have brought be no happiness." John Jacob Astor, American Fur Company Tycoon, who left his children with $20 million at his death in 1848 said, "I am the most miserable man on earth" Henry Ford said, "I was happier when doing a mechanic's job." Solomon had wealth that far surpassed even the wealthiest American and even he did not see any long lasting comfort in these things.
All of the pleasures that Solomon heaped upon his flesh, all of the wealth he accumulated during his life have now been gone for thousands of years, but something of his labor still remains. Ecclesiastes 3:14, "I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it." Proverbs and Ecclesiastes, the wisdom of God poured out through Solomon to us today, still alive, still teaching and exhorting Gods people, from Solomon, to today, to the return of Christ in the future.
Better is an handful with quietness, than both the hands full with travail and vexation of spirit. (Ecclesiastes 4:6) That means if all you are after are the things this life can give you, your life will be spent as a man who finds no rest trying to hold the wind in his hands, never knowing the peace of working along side a God who is filling up a bag of treasure that isn't going anywhere.
Tuesday, February 06, 2007
My Reasons for Head Covering
The Word of God
1 Corinthians says, “Doth not even nature itself teach you”
This simple phrase clears the matter up quite well for me. Verse 14 does not start off with any implication that the hair given to us by God is the covering spoken of in the previous verses. It starts off saying “Doth not even nature” telling me that he was not speaking of a natural thing before, but now he is. Her hair is a covering, not the covering.
My Experience with Covering
When I put my covering on, and wore it the first day, I did not have the intention that it would be a continual practice. I thought that I would continue my study on the subject covered and that at some point I would be fully persuaded that my hair was covering enough and at that time I would remove my scarf. The Lord, I believe, had other plans.
The first thing I noticed was my sinful mouth. When my husband would do something I didn’t approve of my voice would get that tone. You know, that melodious, sarcastic, might as well be shaking my finger in his face tone. I was horrified! Was I under spiritual attack because of my decision to put this on my head? Then as the day went on I slowly realized that this was nothing new. I had been speaking to my husband in this manner all along. (My scarf hasn’t cured this, by the way, I am still working on it, but before I didn’t even recognize it so I have a step in the right direction anyway.)
One thing about me is that I wasn’t born until 1977. By then all the good old years, when the order of headship God established was still recognized, were long gone. This fact and another verse from 1 Corinthians 11 are what lead me to reason number three.
The History of Covering
1 Corinthians says, “But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, nether the churches of God.”
My Wycliffe commentary says this, “No such custom, i.e., no custom of women worshiping without coverings.” I tend to agree with him but whether I get the full intention of the writing here or not, it did point me to a very important question, “What was the custom?”
We have very little to examine about our early church fathers. The furthest we are able to go back is to the second century by looking to the paintings in the catacombs. There are at least three depictions of women wearing head covering on these walls.
As you look at depictions of women throughout history, you can see them doing many of their daily tasks with heads covered, not just during worship. We all know the pilgrim women had a head covering. In the 1800’s women started removing the head covering for daily things but not even 100 years ago and they were still wearing them for church at least.
It is interesting to see how this change was slyly snuck in. Modest hair coverings where first replaced with stylish hats to strip away the meaning behind the fashion and then was totally done away with all together. Now it’s gone into a 180 where folks like me are stared at and talked about as if it is unacceptable to cover.
I have to admit, at times it seems outlandish to me as well, but then I am quietly reminded of Proverbs 3:5 , “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.”
1 Corinthians says, “Doth not even nature itself teach you”
This simple phrase clears the matter up quite well for me. Verse 14 does not start off with any implication that the hair given to us by God is the covering spoken of in the previous verses. It starts off saying “Doth not even nature” telling me that he was not speaking of a natural thing before, but now he is. Her hair is a covering, not the covering.
My Experience with Covering
When I put my covering on, and wore it the first day, I did not have the intention that it would be a continual practice. I thought that I would continue my study on the subject covered and that at some point I would be fully persuaded that my hair was covering enough and at that time I would remove my scarf. The Lord, I believe, had other plans.
The first thing I noticed was my sinful mouth. When my husband would do something I didn’t approve of my voice would get that tone. You know, that melodious, sarcastic, might as well be shaking my finger in his face tone. I was horrified! Was I under spiritual attack because of my decision to put this on my head? Then as the day went on I slowly realized that this was nothing new. I had been speaking to my husband in this manner all along. (My scarf hasn’t cured this, by the way, I am still working on it, but before I didn’t even recognize it so I have a step in the right direction anyway.)
One thing about me is that I wasn’t born until 1977. By then all the good old years, when the order of headship God established was still recognized, were long gone. This fact and another verse from 1 Corinthians 11 are what lead me to reason number three.
The History of Covering
1 Corinthians says, “But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, nether the churches of God.”
My Wycliffe commentary says this, “No such custom, i.e., no custom of women worshiping without coverings.” I tend to agree with him but whether I get the full intention of the writing here or not, it did point me to a very important question, “What was the custom?”
We have very little to examine about our early church fathers. The furthest we are able to go back is to the second century by looking to the paintings in the catacombs. There are at least three depictions of women wearing head covering on these walls.
As you look at depictions of women throughout history, you can see them doing many of their daily tasks with heads covered, not just during worship. We all know the pilgrim women had a head covering. In the 1800’s women started removing the head covering for daily things but not even 100 years ago and they were still wearing them for church at least.
It is interesting to see how this change was slyly snuck in. Modest hair coverings where first replaced with stylish hats to strip away the meaning behind the fashion and then was totally done away with all together. Now it’s gone into a 180 where folks like me are stared at and talked about as if it is unacceptable to cover.
I have to admit, at times it seems outlandish to me as well, but then I am quietly reminded of Proverbs 3:5 , “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.”
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