As Paul continues writing to Titus about the behavior of the believers, he once again gives us insight into the Father's heart. Titus 3:3-7 (HCSB)compares where we are coming from and where God wants us to be.
3 For we too were once foolish, disobedient, deceived, captives of various passions and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, detesting one another.
4 But when the goodness and love for man appeared from God our Savior,
5 He saved us — not by works of righteousness that we had done, but according to His mercy, through the washing of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit.
6 This [Spirit] He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior,
7 so that having been justified by His grace, we may become heirs with the hope of eternal life.
Regardless of where we start from, we can take refuge that God loves us and is willing to save us, not because of what we have done, but because He has mercy.
I personally find this to be a wonderful passage because we see all parts of the Trinity working in our lives. God's love, Jesus's sacrifice providing justification and the Holy Spirt's regeneration and renewing of our spirit all work together to complete us as "heirs with the hope of eternal life." I know that Paul's description of sinful men in verse 3 is true in my life and I thank God that he had mercy on me.
Take Refuge in God's Mercy!
Showing posts with label God. Show all posts
Showing posts with label God. Show all posts
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Take refuge in the FATHER - F=Forgiveness
God presents Himself to us in three images – Father, Son and Holy Spirit. In looking at how we can take refuge in “the LORD”, we can see different ways that “the LORD” reaches out to us by looking at each part of the trinity.
God, the Father can be represented as an acronym that describes the Father’s heart toward us.
F – Forgiveness. It is as Lewis B. Smedes wrote, “To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover that the prisoner was you.” Sin separates us from God and forgiveness of that sin is the method He provides to reconcile the broken relationship. The Father loves us so much that he desperately wants to repair the broken relationship, even to the extent that he would allow His own Son to pay the price for our sins. Through that sacrifice, the Father chooses to forgive our sins in the same way we forgive others.
Through the scriptures, we are commanded to forgive others:
“And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against any, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven will also forgive you your wrongdoing.” (Mark 11:25 HCSB)
“And be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ.” (Ephesians 4:32 HCSB)
“Therefore, God's chosen ones, holy and loved, put on heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience, accepting one another and forgiving one another if anyone has a complaint against another. Just as the Lord had forgiven you, so you also must forgive.” (Colossians 3:12-13 HCSB)
“For if you forgive people their wrongdoing, your heavenly Father will forgive you as well.” (Matthew 6:14 HCSB).
Notice that we are repeatedly instructed to forgive others so that we can be forgiven. The Father knows that if we are holding grudges and bitterness towards others, we are just hurting ourselves. He loves us so much that He wants the best for us and that begins with forgiveness.
Sunday, April 5, 2009
What is "taking refuge"?
Look up the word in the dictionary. Refuge is referred to as:
• a shelter or protection from danger and trouble
• a source of help, relief, or comfort in times of trouble.
• anything or anyone where you can seek aid, relief or escape
To take refuge means to seek out and acquire or accept refuge. It is finding a place to hide in a storm or when being chased. It is finding comfort when our heart is troubled. It is finding solace when we are sad or worried. It is, above all else, an action. Taking refuge requires that we do something in order to receive the refuge. We either have to go somewhere or ask someone for the help.
The Bible talks about taking refuge in many places. Here are just a few.
• 2 Samuel 22:31 “As for God, His way is blameless; The word of the LORD is tested; He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him.” NASB
• Psalm 2:12, “… All those who take refuge in Him are happy.” HCSB
• Psalm 5:11 “But let all who take refuge in You rejoice.” HCSB
• Psalm 16:1 “Protect me God, for I take refuge in you.” HCSB
• Psalm 118:8 “It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man.” NASB
• Proverbs 30:5 “Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him.” HCSB
• Nahum 1:7 “The LORD is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble, and He knows those who take refuge in Him.” NASB
Taking refuge in God is allowing him to be the ultimate source of protection and strength for our lives. We must make the choice. We must choose God and seek His refuge in all we do.
As we explore taking refuge through this blog, the focus will be on how we can take refuge in God. Sometimes the source of inspiration will be examples from daily life. Sometimes it will be from examining scriptures such as the ones above. Sometimes the message will just be putting into words the feelings and emotions that are stirred deep inside me. But, regardless of the source of inspiration, I pray that God will speak to your heart as He has to mine about the importance of putting Him first in all that you do and say.
• a shelter or protection from danger and trouble
• a source of help, relief, or comfort in times of trouble.
• anything or anyone where you can seek aid, relief or escape
To take refuge means to seek out and acquire or accept refuge. It is finding a place to hide in a storm or when being chased. It is finding comfort when our heart is troubled. It is finding solace when we are sad or worried. It is, above all else, an action. Taking refuge requires that we do something in order to receive the refuge. We either have to go somewhere or ask someone for the help.
The Bible talks about taking refuge in many places. Here are just a few.
• 2 Samuel 22:31 “As for God, His way is blameless; The word of the LORD is tested; He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him.” NASB
• Psalm 2:12, “… All those who take refuge in Him are happy.” HCSB
• Psalm 5:11 “But let all who take refuge in You rejoice.” HCSB
• Psalm 16:1 “Protect me God, for I take refuge in you.” HCSB
• Psalm 118:8 “It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man.” NASB
• Proverbs 30:5 “Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him.” HCSB
• Nahum 1:7 “The LORD is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble, and He knows those who take refuge in Him.” NASB
Taking refuge in God is allowing him to be the ultimate source of protection and strength for our lives. We must make the choice. We must choose God and seek His refuge in all we do.
As we explore taking refuge through this blog, the focus will be on how we can take refuge in God. Sometimes the source of inspiration will be examples from daily life. Sometimes it will be from examining scriptures such as the ones above. Sometimes the message will just be putting into words the feelings and emotions that are stirred deep inside me. But, regardless of the source of inspiration, I pray that God will speak to your heart as He has to mine about the importance of putting Him first in all that you do and say.
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Center of Refuge - synopsis
So, the center can be so many different things. It can be described in terms of location, movement, part of something else, a source of influence and a focus of attention. Center can also be a gathering place, a foundation or organization created for a specific purpose, even a base for military operations.
How can we be centered within God’s will? You would think that knowing what the center is and being centered wouldn’t be that different. But we all know there is a big difference between knowing and doing. That’s the difference between knowing where to find the center of God’s will and living in the center of God’s will.
Being centered is an action. It requires movement. To get to the center of a stage, you have to find the outside edge and then MOVE to the center. To be the center of attention, you first have to get the attention of someone else. To be at the core of something, an outside shell must define what it is. Being a point of origin or influence requires that there be someone or something to be influenced. And a chief object of attention requires someone to focus on it.
How do we become centered in God’s will? By spending time with God. By spending time focusing on God. By making God the center of our attention and the source of our influence and inspiration. We can find the center of God’s will by seeking and pursuing it. We will not find it by just waiting for it to “hit us”. I tried that myself for a long time, trust me, it doesn’t work.
God’s will is “knowable”, available and attainable if we ask Him. Spend time with God (prayer). Spend time reading His word (Bible study). Spend time with His children (fellowship). They are all actions that can lead you to being centered in God’s will for you and for your life.
How can we be centered within God’s will? You would think that knowing what the center is and being centered wouldn’t be that different. But we all know there is a big difference between knowing and doing. That’s the difference between knowing where to find the center of God’s will and living in the center of God’s will.
Being centered is an action. It requires movement. To get to the center of a stage, you have to find the outside edge and then MOVE to the center. To be the center of attention, you first have to get the attention of someone else. To be at the core of something, an outside shell must define what it is. Being a point of origin or influence requires that there be someone or something to be influenced. And a chief object of attention requires someone to focus on it.
How do we become centered in God’s will? By spending time with God. By spending time focusing on God. By making God the center of our attention and the source of our influence and inspiration. We can find the center of God’s will by seeking and pursuing it. We will not find it by just waiting for it to “hit us”. I tried that myself for a long time, trust me, it doesn’t work.
God’s will is “knowable”, available and attainable if we ask Him. Spend time with God (prayer). Spend time reading His word (Bible study). Spend time with His children (fellowship). They are all actions that can lead you to being centered in God’s will for you and for your life.
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Center of Refuge - object of attention
Finally, center can be a person or thing that is the chief object of attention, interest, activity, or emotion.
Have you ever started a new relationship? Felt the overpowering joy of discovering a new love? Found a passion for a new pastime? Received or purchased something new that you just couldn’t get enough of?
Kids can get completely absorbed in a video game. I know because I was one and I did it, too. You want to know all the secrets of the game, how to score the most points, how to defeat the enemies and be the victor over all.
Grownup kids often do the same thing with toys of their own – a new car, an old car that is being restored, a collection, a new hobby, even a new relationship. Any of these things can become the chief object of attention. And, when they do, they can become idols in our lives because they become more important than anything else, even God.
Taking the focus off of ourselves and placing it on seeking the center of God’s will creates a place in our hearts and lives for God to be the chief object of attention. Our sin nature wants to occupy that position and rule our interests, activities and emotions. When “we” are in charge, we will continue to have struggles and be overrun with unwanted emotions and desires. But, when we allow God to be that focus, He will lead us on the greatest adventure of all. God wants us to enjoy life, not hide from it. God wants us to have an abundant life and He knows how to bring balance to our lives so that we can truly enjoy all that He brings our way.
Have you ever started a new relationship? Felt the overpowering joy of discovering a new love? Found a passion for a new pastime? Received or purchased something new that you just couldn’t get enough of?
Kids can get completely absorbed in a video game. I know because I was one and I did it, too. You want to know all the secrets of the game, how to score the most points, how to defeat the enemies and be the victor over all.
Grownup kids often do the same thing with toys of their own – a new car, an old car that is being restored, a collection, a new hobby, even a new relationship. Any of these things can become the chief object of attention. And, when they do, they can become idols in our lives because they become more important than anything else, even God.
Taking the focus off of ourselves and placing it on seeking the center of God’s will creates a place in our hearts and lives for God to be the chief object of attention. Our sin nature wants to occupy that position and rule our interests, activities and emotions. When “we” are in charge, we will continue to have struggles and be overrun with unwanted emotions and desires. But, when we allow God to be that focus, He will lead us on the greatest adventure of all. God wants us to enjoy life, not hide from it. God wants us to have an abundant life and He knows how to bring balance to our lives so that we can truly enjoy all that He brings our way.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Center of Refuge - core
The center for refuge can also be the defined as:
A part of an object that is surrounded by the rest; a core: chocolates with soft centers.
Chocolates with soft gooey centers are one of my favorite sweets. As you bite into the chocolate you savor the flavor, slowly. Then the center starts to run out and you make that extra effort to make sure that none of it is lost. I find myself closing my eyes and enjoying the flavor of the center and looking forward to the next bite to get more. That’s how it is with the love of God.
When we first experience His love, it is a sweet flavor that is to be savored. Remember when you first accepted Jesus Christ as your savior. The emotion, the joy, the relief that you felt in giving up your will to accept God’s will. Then you began to experience the joy of spending time with God and learning more about Him. God wants to be the core of our desires and the sweet filling that leaves us wanting more and more.
A part of an object that is surrounded by the rest; a core: chocolates with soft centers.
Chocolates with soft gooey centers are one of my favorite sweets. As you bite into the chocolate you savor the flavor, slowly. Then the center starts to run out and you make that extra effort to make sure that none of it is lost. I find myself closing my eyes and enjoying the flavor of the center and looking forward to the next bite to get more. That’s how it is with the love of God.
When we first experience His love, it is a sweet flavor that is to be savored. Remember when you first accepted Jesus Christ as your savior. The emotion, the joy, the relief that you felt in giving up your will to accept God’s will. Then you began to experience the joy of spending time with God and learning more about Him. God wants to be the core of our desires and the sweet filling that leaves us wanting more and more.
Monday, March 23, 2009
Center of Refuge - a center point
Here is a second definition for center.
A point around which something rotates or revolves: The sun is the center of the solar system.
A child always wants to be the center of attention. The child’s heart doesn’t understand that the world does not rotate around them. All they know is that their parents are there to respond to their every cry, whimper, smile or giggle. Although it isn’t always so, we all hope that infants are cared for in such a way that they truly feel the world revolves around them just as the solar system revolves around the sun.
As children of God, we can feel the same love from our Heavenly Father. His desire is to encompass us with His love in such a way that we feel Him everywhere. Look around you, even now. Everything that is there came through the hands of a loving God. You may feel blessed by that thought or you may feel angry because of unhappy circumstances. However, as you consider that you are the center of God’s affection, hopefully you will also understand that His desire for you is to see you grow in your faith and understanding of Him. Sometimes that means compassion and nurturing and sometimes that means allowing circumstances to create lessons that lead to growth. Either way, it is still the heart of a Loving God that wants to encompass us His love.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Take Refuge
Psalms 118:8 says, "It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man"
You will find many trivial posts on the internet that show this as the center verse of the Bible. Actually, in researching many different translations and original manuscripts the translations are based on, I found that this is not true in any of them. But, whether this is the actual center verse or not, this is still probably one of the most concise descriptions of the God/Man relationships.
Through this blog, we will explore the many aspects of what taking refuge really means. But for today, let me tell you a story of how this came to be a significant verse in my life.
When I was in college (Wayland Baptist University), I applied for the Baptist Student Union (BSU) summer missions program. Part of that process included face-to-face interviews with others who had previously served as part of the BSU summer missions. One of the questions asked in the interview was, "If you aren't selected for BSU summer missions, would you like for us to forward your application to the Home Mission Board for their summer mission program?" I told them no, if BSU wasn't the place for me, then I would just go home for the summer and work.
I later received a letter that I had not been accepted by the BSU which was soon followed with the first of many letters from the Home Mission Board asking me for information to complete my application for summer missions. Naturally, since I didn't intend to apply for the Home Mission Board program, I just ignored the letters. I did not know, however, that they were sending the same letters to my home address and my parents were opening them and sending in all the required information (medical history form, letters of recommendation from my pastor and others, etc.).
Being at a Christian university, many of my friends had also applied for the different summer missions programs so that when packets of information started arriving it was easy to tell what they were about. Imagine my surprise when I got a "package" from the Home Mission Board. I was really confused, but I immediately started bargaining with God. "OK God, if this is Maine or California, I'll go." Since I lived in Texas, those were two random places to the east and west coast. Well... I opened the package and the letter began "Greetings from the great state of California".
I've always been one that needed neon signs to direct the way, but this one actually felt more like a sledge hammer, but I did get the message. Some of my other friends at the dorm had also received packages so we decided to do a Bible Study together to prepare for our assignment. We contemplated what we should study as a group and finally settled on the topic of seeking the center of God's will. After all, we were going on the "mission field," so we really needed to be centered in what God would have for us while we were there. In preparing for the study, I found a list of trivia in the back of my "Open Bible" published by Zondervan. There it had Psalms 118:8 as the center verse of the Bible, 2 Chronicles 20:17 as the center of the Old Testament, Acts 17:17 as the center of the New Testament and Psalms 117 as both the shortest chapter and the middle chapter of the Bible.
The trivia about Psalms 117 is the only part of this that is correct, but when combined as a study, these passages make a powerful message about who God is and his relationship with mankind. As part of this blog, I'll go through the different passages and how they came together as part of that study.
For today, remember that taking refuge in God rather than trusting in Man means that God must be first in your life. Even ahead of your own personal desires.
You will find many trivial posts on the internet that show this as the center verse of the Bible. Actually, in researching many different translations and original manuscripts the translations are based on, I found that this is not true in any of them. But, whether this is the actual center verse or not, this is still probably one of the most concise descriptions of the God/Man relationships.
Through this blog, we will explore the many aspects of what taking refuge really means. But for today, let me tell you a story of how this came to be a significant verse in my life.
When I was in college (Wayland Baptist University), I applied for the Baptist Student Union (BSU) summer missions program. Part of that process included face-to-face interviews with others who had previously served as part of the BSU summer missions. One of the questions asked in the interview was, "If you aren't selected for BSU summer missions, would you like for us to forward your application to the Home Mission Board for their summer mission program?" I told them no, if BSU wasn't the place for me, then I would just go home for the summer and work.
I later received a letter that I had not been accepted by the BSU which was soon followed with the first of many letters from the Home Mission Board asking me for information to complete my application for summer missions. Naturally, since I didn't intend to apply for the Home Mission Board program, I just ignored the letters. I did not know, however, that they were sending the same letters to my home address and my parents were opening them and sending in all the required information (medical history form, letters of recommendation from my pastor and others, etc.).
Being at a Christian university, many of my friends had also applied for the different summer missions programs so that when packets of information started arriving it was easy to tell what they were about. Imagine my surprise when I got a "package" from the Home Mission Board. I was really confused, but I immediately started bargaining with God. "OK God, if this is Maine or California, I'll go." Since I lived in Texas, those were two random places to the east and west coast. Well... I opened the package and the letter began "Greetings from the great state of California".
I've always been one that needed neon signs to direct the way, but this one actually felt more like a sledge hammer, but I did get the message. Some of my other friends at the dorm had also received packages so we decided to do a Bible Study together to prepare for our assignment. We contemplated what we should study as a group and finally settled on the topic of seeking the center of God's will. After all, we were going on the "mission field," so we really needed to be centered in what God would have for us while we were there. In preparing for the study, I found a list of trivia in the back of my "Open Bible" published by Zondervan. There it had Psalms 118:8 as the center verse of the Bible, 2 Chronicles 20:17 as the center of the Old Testament, Acts 17:17 as the center of the New Testament and Psalms 117 as both the shortest chapter and the middle chapter of the Bible.
The trivia about Psalms 117 is the only part of this that is correct, but when combined as a study, these passages make a powerful message about who God is and his relationship with mankind. As part of this blog, I'll go through the different passages and how they came together as part of that study.
For today, remember that taking refuge in God rather than trusting in Man means that God must be first in your life. Even ahead of your own personal desires.
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