Passage of the Day: Colossians 1: 15 – 19 … 15 He [Christ] is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For by Him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by Him and for Him. 17 He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. 18 And He is the head of the body, the church; He is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything He might have the supremacy. 19 For God was pleased to have all His fullness dwell in Him, …
My Journal for Today: Okay, we move from Paul’s strong declaration of Christ’s humanity and deity in Philippians 2 to another passage, this time in Colossians, the first chapter, where the Apostle stood strong for the reality and truth of Jesus Christ being the God-Man.
Today, in our post-modern culture, Christians are often challenged by those who deny Christ’s deity, just as Paul was when Epaphrus, the evangelist/founder of the church at Colosse, apparently wrote to Paul about the same type of ill-informed heresy we see now in our post-modern world. Paul writes, from prison in Rome, to his Christian brothers/sisters in Colosse, his spirited defense of true Christian doctrine to help Epaphrus and other Colossian believers to understand that teachings or beliefs which de-emphasize the preeminence of Christ and emphasize human knowledge/understanding distorting the true gospel are nothing but heresy, concocted by man to elevate himself and to humanize God. As we read in today’s text, Paul stood strong for the truth of Christ’s deity and authority over all things. Actually, today’s passage is a powerful exposition of God’s truth concerning Christology, … i.e., Christ’s deity and preeminent authority as LORD of all.
When we, as assertive believers, witnessing our faith, are confronted by those who choose to ignore the evidence of history and reject the deity of Christ (as I did for many years, calling myself “agnostic”), those who know and believe the truth must stand as was exhorted by Peter in 1st Peter 3: 15 – 16, when he wrote, “But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have [in Christ]. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.” And today in our highlight passage in Colossians 1, we have a role model presentation of such a defense of the faith.
For years I did all I could to discount the witness of Christians who tried to stand for their faith when I challenged them with my doubts and questions. I would not listen to their testimonies of how Christ had brought them to a place of faith in His deity or from their stories of His transforming grace. But finally, in 1983, one such testimony of a young quadriplegic man who found His strength in Christ’s grace brought me to a place where I could reach out and find the truth of Christ’s Lordship. But it took many Christians, standing for their faith over many years to break through my veneer of egoism. So, you may encounter those, as I was, who will discount the truth of Jesus being God in the flesh. But stand in your faith! Stand like Paul did for the Colossians, telling the truth of Christ and how He has shaped and changed your life.
There’s great power in a personal testimony. In fact, one might argue about biblical interpretations, claiming (though falsely) that the Bible is irrelevant. But no one can argue with a strongly stated testimony. My testimony is mine! And no one can tell me that my belief in Christ has not changed my life. At 39, I was a hardened and cynical agnostic [probably more accurately called an “atheist”], deeply entrenched in habitual sin for most of my adult life. My marriage was almost broken; and my career was near the breaking point as well because of my spiritual weakness. And then came Christ; and my surrender to follow Him as my Lord changed everything. And here I am today, writing this as an Ordained Minister of the Gospel and an Elder in my church with a wonderful, renewed marriage and fulfilling life of ministry. Only Christ, and His Lordship in my life, could have shaped the person that is Bill Berry today. As they say down here in the South, “It’s a God thing!”
A mocker or disbeliever can misinterpret Scripture or foolishly deny the deity of Christ to my face; but, no one could tell me that my story isn’t true! And I hope that you will take any opportunity you might have into this upcoming New Year to declare to those who challenge Christ in your life so that you can let your story tell the truth about Christ’s deity and how He is transforming you.
And with that in mind, we will be exploring more of Paul’s exposition of Christ’s Lordship in his letter to the Colossians; so, yes, … stay tuned!
My Prayer Today: I will stand for You always, Lord. Amen
Showing posts with label bold witness. Show all posts
Showing posts with label bold witness. Show all posts
Monday, December 26, 2011
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
June 29, 2011 … Integrity Draws People To God
Passage of the Day: Daniel 6: 25 – 27 … 25 Then King Darius wrote to all the peoples, nations and men of every language throughout the land: “May you prosper greatly!”
26 “I issue a decree that in every part of my kingdom people must fear and reverence the God of Daniel. For he is the living God and he endures forever; his kingdom will not be destroyed, his dominion will never end. 27 He rescues and he saves; he performs signs and wonders in the heavens and on the earth. He has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions.”
My Journal for Today: The proclamation by King Darius, honoring Daniel’s God, was made by a pagan king of a pagan nation; and it illustrates the impact that God can have through just one man (or woman) who stands with integrity for God. Yes, just one person stands up for God to another, especially one of influence or power, in God’s timing, and it can, through God’s enabling grace, have the kind of influence/impact that Daniel had on King Darius (a.k.a., King Cyrus).
In his devotional for this date from Strength for Today, John MacArthur helps me (us) see other examples … e.g., Noah stood for God, being labeled crazy as he built the ark; … Joseph witnessed to Egypt, having been delivered from the pits and prison; … Moses, came from the wilderness and banishment to Egypt to deliver God’s people from slavery; … a young Gideon was lifted from hiding in a wine barrel to become a great leader in battle for Israel; … and Esther was God’s agent to save God’s people from wickedness and oppression in a culture where women were considered property. All of these were common people at the time God intervened and chose them, using them for His glory in uncommon witness.
But you may say, as I thought in reading this list, “I’m not a giant of the faith like these!” But look at how Jesus called His disciples. These men were not giants of the faith when Jesus called them. Those whom I mentioned above were not “giant’s” of faith when God called them to extraordinary duty. Yet, their witness in God’s timing and purpose, with their faith and surrender to God’s plan, changed the world forever.
The lesson here is that ANYONE can be used for God’s glory when that one surrenders completely to God’s purpose in His timing. Perhaps you or I can be God’s chosen witness to a lost person in our family or in our work place, even one of influence who might have great impact on others as was the case with a King Darius. Perhaps the position and influence you hold with others, with those people seeing Christ being lived out in your life, can have an enormous ripple effect on others for Christ over time. We won’t know when and how God will use something we say or how we live by faith to draw someone to Himself and then use that person for His glory.
When I was a hardened agnostic many years ago, a Christian acquaintance loaned me a cassette tape by a Christian speaker on the subject of one’s faith being lived out in our everyday lives; and that tape brought me to brokenness on April 13, 1983, the day I opened my life to Christ. And now that same former “anti-Christian” has, over three decades later, has become an ordained Christian minister and has been called to found and lead Battle Plan Ministry. Only God can do something like that; but He used one Christian standing up for his faith and witnessing to me boldly to bring yours truly into God’s family. Who do you know to whom God is calling you to witness today?
My Prayer Today: Use me even this day, Lord, in Your time, for Your purpose! Amen
26 “I issue a decree that in every part of my kingdom people must fear and reverence the God of Daniel. For he is the living God and he endures forever; his kingdom will not be destroyed, his dominion will never end. 27 He rescues and he saves; he performs signs and wonders in the heavens and on the earth. He has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions.”
My Journal for Today: The proclamation by King Darius, honoring Daniel’s God, was made by a pagan king of a pagan nation; and it illustrates the impact that God can have through just one man (or woman) who stands with integrity for God. Yes, just one person stands up for God to another, especially one of influence or power, in God’s timing, and it can, through God’s enabling grace, have the kind of influence/impact that Daniel had on King Darius (a.k.a., King Cyrus).
In his devotional for this date from Strength for Today, John MacArthur helps me (us) see other examples … e.g., Noah stood for God, being labeled crazy as he built the ark; … Joseph witnessed to Egypt, having been delivered from the pits and prison; … Moses, came from the wilderness and banishment to Egypt to deliver God’s people from slavery; … a young Gideon was lifted from hiding in a wine barrel to become a great leader in battle for Israel; … and Esther was God’s agent to save God’s people from wickedness and oppression in a culture where women were considered property. All of these were common people at the time God intervened and chose them, using them for His glory in uncommon witness.
But you may say, as I thought in reading this list, “I’m not a giant of the faith like these!” But look at how Jesus called His disciples. These men were not giants of the faith when Jesus called them. Those whom I mentioned above were not “giant’s” of faith when God called them to extraordinary duty. Yet, their witness in God’s timing and purpose, with their faith and surrender to God’s plan, changed the world forever.
The lesson here is that ANYONE can be used for God’s glory when that one surrenders completely to God’s purpose in His timing. Perhaps you or I can be God’s chosen witness to a lost person in our family or in our work place, even one of influence who might have great impact on others as was the case with a King Darius. Perhaps the position and influence you hold with others, with those people seeing Christ being lived out in your life, can have an enormous ripple effect on others for Christ over time. We won’t know when and how God will use something we say or how we live by faith to draw someone to Himself and then use that person for His glory.
When I was a hardened agnostic many years ago, a Christian acquaintance loaned me a cassette tape by a Christian speaker on the subject of one’s faith being lived out in our everyday lives; and that tape brought me to brokenness on April 13, 1983, the day I opened my life to Christ. And now that same former “anti-Christian” has, over three decades later, has become an ordained Christian minister and has been called to found and lead Battle Plan Ministry. Only God can do something like that; but He used one Christian standing up for his faith and witnessing to me boldly to bring yours truly into God’s family. Who do you know to whom God is calling you to witness today?
My Prayer Today: Use me even this day, Lord, in Your time, for Your purpose! Amen
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
June 21, 2011 … Integrity Glorifies God
Passage of the Day: Daniel 3: 28 – 30 … 28 Then Nebuchadnezzar said, "Praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who has sent his angel and rescued his servants! They trusted in him and defied the king's command and were willing to give up their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God. 29 Therefore, I decree that the people of any nation or language who say anything against the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego be cut into pieces and their houses be turned into piles of rubble, for no other god can save in this way." … 30 Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the province of Babylon.
My Journal for Today: At this point in Nebuchadnezzar’s life, believing that different people had different gods for differing situations, seeing the incredible episode involving Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, the king likely believed that the three boys definitely followed a mighty god (“God,” with a capital “G,” for sure!), … A GOD who was greater than his gods [see today’s passage]. Here he had just witnessed his three respectful, but Godly and dedicated, young leaders be delivered from a fiery furnace where he had ordered them to die, which was impressive to say the least. But just as impressive was the integrity and courage of these boys to trust their God in the way they had in defiance of the King’s edict which put their lives in jeopardy.
Therefore, in this wondrous story of witness, recorded by Daniel in God’s Book, we see the power of strong spiritual (i.e., Christian) integrity, shining like a beacon in the darkness of the world, fully able to dissuade worldly authority and giving glory to God. When we stand for God in this pagan, post-modern culture, it will not go unnoticed. And, as I’ve written in my devotional journal entries this month, when others see God shining through the testimony and witness of a stalwart Christian life, a life being transformed into Christlikeness, the witness of such faith and growth will shine Christ’s light and glorify God. (again, see Matt. 5: 16)
If I might get personal here, humbly using my story as an example, … how could one, seeing or hearing about my transformation from die-hard agnostic and sex addict into a church Elder and ordained Christian minister of the Gospel, not see the fingerprints of God in my life story? It’s not what I have done but rather what God has done in my life that is a light [Christ’s Light] shining for anyone to see who is willing to see. Hence, I am driven to share my testimony in witness to God’s power as often as I can … with anyone who will listen.
If you are a believer, you have a story too; and as you build a life of Christian integrity, over time that story will grow in power and influence! Share your story with others that they may see the light of Christ shining in the darkness of this world.
My Prayer Today: Shine, Jesus, shine! Amen
My Journal for Today: At this point in Nebuchadnezzar’s life, believing that different people had different gods for differing situations, seeing the incredible episode involving Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, the king likely believed that the three boys definitely followed a mighty god (“God,” with a capital “G,” for sure!), … A GOD who was greater than his gods [see today’s passage]. Here he had just witnessed his three respectful, but Godly and dedicated, young leaders be delivered from a fiery furnace where he had ordered them to die, which was impressive to say the least. But just as impressive was the integrity and courage of these boys to trust their God in the way they had in defiance of the King’s edict which put their lives in jeopardy.
Therefore, in this wondrous story of witness, recorded by Daniel in God’s Book, we see the power of strong spiritual (i.e., Christian) integrity, shining like a beacon in the darkness of the world, fully able to dissuade worldly authority and giving glory to God. When we stand for God in this pagan, post-modern culture, it will not go unnoticed. And, as I’ve written in my devotional journal entries this month, when others see God shining through the testimony and witness of a stalwart Christian life, a life being transformed into Christlikeness, the witness of such faith and growth will shine Christ’s light and glorify God. (again, see Matt. 5: 16)
If I might get personal here, humbly using my story as an example, … how could one, seeing or hearing about my transformation from die-hard agnostic and sex addict into a church Elder and ordained Christian minister of the Gospel, not see the fingerprints of God in my life story? It’s not what I have done but rather what God has done in my life that is a light [Christ’s Light] shining for anyone to see who is willing to see. Hence, I am driven to share my testimony in witness to God’s power as often as I can … with anyone who will listen.
If you are a believer, you have a story too; and as you build a life of Christian integrity, over time that story will grow in power and influence! Share your story with others that they may see the light of Christ shining in the darkness of this world.
My Prayer Today: Shine, Jesus, shine! Amen
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
