Don't Substitute God's Best

God is patient when our hearts cling to something less than his plan and purpose.

Genesis 17:1-2  When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to him and said, “I am El-Shaddai—‘God Almighty.’ Serve me faithfully and live a blameless life.  2  I will make a covenant with you, by which I will guarantee to give you countless descendants.”

Genesis 17:15-19  Then God said to Abraham, “Regarding Sarai, your wife—her name will no longer be Sarai. From now on her name will be Sarah.  16  And I will bless her and give you a son from her! Yes, I will bless her richly, and she will become the mother of many nations. Kings of nations will be among her descendants.”

17  Then Abraham bowed down to the ground, but he laughed to himself in disbelief. “How could I become a father at the age of 100?” he thought. “And how can Sarah have a baby when she is ninety years old?”

18 So Abraham said to God, “May Ishmael live under your special blessing!” 19 But God replied, “No—Sarah, your wife, will give birth to a son for you. You will name him Isaac, and I will confirm my covenant with him and his descendants as an everlasting covenant.

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The journey of faith that Abram and Sarai have been on ever since they left home in Ur has been a gradual revelation of who God is and what he expects of them. Earlier we saw that God revealed himself as his shield and great reward that is far better than any protection or provider that this world has to offer.

In today's scripture God reveals a new name for himself to encourage Abram and Sarai to keep on believing in the promises that still don't seem to be coming true. God wants Abram to know him as "God Almighty" that has the power to come through with his promises despite the circumstances and the delays.

God shows his power and sovereignty by giving Abram and Sarai new names. We should remember that the one that gives out the names is exerting power over the one that is being named. We see this principle when Adam names all of the animals and we also see it happen when the Babylonians gave the names Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to three of the Hebrews that they captured.

Almighty, sovereign God is still in control and the promises are still on the way despite the fact that Abram already has a son and he is very fond of him, Abram is okay with Ismael being the fulfillment of the promise, but God has bigger and better plans and he won't accept a substitute.

Ishmael represented man’s effort to fulfill the promise of a son, Abram didn't know that the son that God planned to miraculously give him would be the beginning of the lineage that would lead to the promised son that we call Jesus.

We are so willing to help God out and come up with something that isn't what God intended, something inferior, something that we can figure out instead of waiting for the miracle.

This point is so well stated in the Expositor's Bible Commentary for Genesis chapter 17:

Full of life and interest in everything, daily getting deeper into the affections of Abram, who allowed and could not but allow his own life to revolve very much around the dashing, attractive lad. So that the reminder that he was not the promised heir was not entirely welcome.

We are familiar with this state of mind. We wish God would leave us alone. We have found a very attractive substitute for what He promises, and we resent being reminded that our substitute is not, after all, the veritable, eternal, best possession. It satisfies our taste, our intellect, our ambition; it sets us on a level with other men and gives us a place in the world; but now and again we feel a void it does not fill.

We have attained comfortable circumstances, success in our profession, our life has in it that which attracts applause and sheds a brilliance over it; and we do not like being told that this is not all. Our feeling is Oh, that this might do! that this might be accepted as perfect attainment! it satisfies me (all but a little bit); might it not satisfy God?

Why summon me again away from domestic happiness, intellectual enjoyment, agreeable occupations, to what really seems so unattainable as perfect fellowship with God in the fulfillment of His promise? Why spend all my life in waiting and seeking for high spiritual things when I have so much with which I can be moderately satisfied?

For our complaint often is not that God gives so little but that He offers too much, more than we care to have; that He never will let us be content with anything short of what perfectly fulfills His perfect love and purpose.

We have a perspective that Abram didn't have, he didn't have the panorama view that we have from Genesis to Revelation, God's plan and purpose make no sense to Abram but God is patient with him.

We love to be in control and we love to help God out when things look difficult but God reminds us that he is El-Shaddai, the God Almighty, he is more than enough to come through with the best even when we are satisfied with far less.

Thank you God for being so patient with us when our affections and desires are not your own.

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The Growing Sin Problem

We keep denying the source of and the solution to the sin problem.

Genesis 3:1 The serpent was the shrewdest of all the wild animals the LORD God had made. One day he asked the woman, "Did God really say you must not eat the fruit from any of the trees in the garden?"

James 1:14-15 Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. 15 These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death.

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So far in my study of the book of Genesis I have learned that In the beginning God created us to rule over creation and to fill the earth with the knowledge of the glory of God. Since God created us and made us in his image he must be by far the most qualified expert on what is best for us but we are arrogant enough to think that we know a better way. (Isaiah 43:7)

In our arrogance we think we are allowed to decide absolutely everything, things that we once thought were obvious facts that could not be denied are now up for debate, we are foolish enough to believe that we get to ignore God without any side effects.

It wasn't too long ago that our gender was something that was an absolute fact but thanks to science and technology we can be something we were not designed to be. I have to wonder how much of this perversion is being fueled by the desire to make a lot of money without regard for the lives that are being devastated.

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Man has deceived himself and believed that the issues are very complicated but God has made it crystal clear that all of this confusion goes back to man's departure from God's design to seek our own way. Every breakdown, every unrighteousness and every injustice is a direct result of sin.

All breakdowns are because of sin: 

• The first effect of sin happened before God even confronted Adam and Eve, before they even knew that their relationship with God was broken, it became clear to them that their relationship with each other was very different.
• Sin made them ashamed to be fully known by God or by each other, they needed clothing to hide their most intimate parts from each other. Transparency is a rare trait in the best of relationships.
• Sin distorted God's created gender roles, it wouldn't take too long for man and woman to start mistreating each other. God predicted that man will tend to make an idol out of power. and that woman will tend to make an idol out of the relationship.
• Work is not a curse but thanks to sin it is cursed, thorns and weeds always get in the way of our ambitions.
• Nature works against us, instead of being in control and ruling over the earth, in many ways it is controlling us.

This list is compiled from a podcast by Tim Keller - "A Promise of Hope"

Our sin is the source of every breakdown, from our broken bodies to the difficulty in your relationships to catastrophic weather events.  It is easy to look horizontal at what is wrong in this world and point your finger at many different causes but the root cause of our problem is the fact that the vertical relationship with God is broken. Horizontal sins happen because of our vertical sins.

Our rebellious arrogance and pride got us into this situation and it is the reason we are still dealing with the problem. Everybody is looking for world peace but we cannot fix our deepest problems and make a better society on our own without returning to God and his design and his rules.  If we keep denying the source of our problems we will never be able to solve our problems.

Psalms 2:1-4 Why are the nations so angry? Why do they waste their time with futile plans? 2 The kings of the earth prepare for battle; the rulers plot together against the LORD and against His anointed one. 3 "Let us break their chains," they cry, "and free ourselves from slavery to God." 4 But the One who rules in heaven laughs. The Lord scoffs at them.

We are all kings, ruling our little empires, we make our choices about our lives that prove who is in control. We all plot against God to do what we want to do, he is the source of our wisdom but we think that we are wiser than he is, it is no wonder that he laughs at our crazy notions.

It is a real breakthrough when we realize and submit to the reality that God's ways are the ultimate. We will begin to heal when we get to the point that we realize that our best is so corrupt and falls short of what God intended.

Psalms 51:7-8 Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. 8 Oh, give me back my joy again; You have broken me--now let me rejoice. 

God is waiting for my will to break so that I will give up on my rebellion and give him control. When I get off of my throne and let the ruler of the universe be the ruler of my life then I will find my greatest satisfaction and joy.

When this happens the world around me will see that there is a better way, they will see a little bit of heaven on earth, my life will be a witness of the future when Jesus comes back to rule with justice.

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Heaven On Earth

Seek his kingdom first.

Video: Stars Go Dim - "Heaven On Earth"

Take my life and let it be

Set on fire for all to see

Break me down, build me up again

Don't leave me the way I've been

Take my heart into Your hands

Come and finish what You began

'Til I seek Your kingdom first

'Til I shine, shine

Like Heaven on earth

Like Heaven on earth

The Kingdom

Exodus 19:5-6 Now if you will obey Me and keep My covenant, you will be My own special treasure from among all the peoples on earth; for all the earth belongs to Me. And you will be My kingdom of priests, My holy nation.' This is the message you must give to the people of Israel."  Matthew 6:33 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need. Colossians 1:13 For He has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of His dear Son, Hebrews 12:28 Since we are receiving a Kingdom that is unshakable, let us be thankful and please God by worshiping Him with holy fear and awe.  Revelation 1:6-7 He has made us a Kingdom of priests for God His Father. All glory and power to Him forever and ever! Amen. Look! He comes with the clouds of heaven. And everyone will see Him--even those who pierced Him. And all the nations of the world will mourn for Him. Yes! Amen!

The Bible In My Life

We need Bible knowledge and application of what God has revealed to us.

2 Timothy 3:13-17 But evil people and impostors will flourish. They will deceive others and will themselves be deceived. 14 But you must remain faithful to the things you have been taught. You know they are true, for you know you can trust those who taught you. 15 You have been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus.

16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. 17 God uses it to prepare and equip His people to do every good work.

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In Paul's final letter to Timothy, not too long before Paul would be executed, he warned that what Timothy believed would be challenged after Paul is gone. Deceived people won't keep it to themselves, Paul knew that the people that were against his ministry and against the gospel would attempt to deceive Timothy, he would have the truth questioned and he would be tempted to walk away.

It is sad enough to be deceived but sadder still is the fact that deceived people will deceive others. (2 Timothy 3:1-9, 4:6 / 2 Peter 3:17) The lessons that Timothy's family taught him and also the training that he received from Paul would have to take root in Timothy's life to keep him from being ineffective in ministry.

Imagine having Paul as the leader of your small group helping you through long term discipleship. (2 Timothy 1:5-6, 16) Paul's investment in Timothy was rewarded abundantly as you can see in Paul's letters and in the history of the early church:

• Ministered together in various cities (Acts 17:14, 15, 18:5, 20:4 / 2 Corinthians 1:19). 
• Timothy was in Rome with Paul while Paul was in prison (Philippians 2:19–23) 
• Paul frequently mentions Timothy in his epistles (Romans 16:21 / 2 Corinthians 1:1, Philippians 1:1, Colossians 1:1 / 1 Thessalonians 1:1 / 2 Thessalonians 1:1 / Philemon 1:1)
• Paul often sent Timothy to churches as his representative (1 Corinthians 4:17, 16:10 / Philemon 2:19 / 1 Thessalonians 3:2),
• Timothy served as pastor of the church at Ephesus (1 Timothy 1:3)

Timothy took in the sound teaching of his family and from Paul and he allowed it to control his life. The truth was presented to him but it couldn't be forced upon him to apply it to his life. Timothy had to decide what he would do with the information that God revealed to him. (Deuteronomy 29:29)

God's authority isn't forced on us, I get to decide to be a rebel, but my rebellion won't be allowed to last forever. At the end of time it will be a different story as we meet our maker we will all recognize his authority and bow down to him.

We see examples of God speaking in the Bible, the phrase "God said" is found around 3800 times, but after "God said" it was up to man to decide if he would yield to God's authority and pay attention to what "God said."

“It’s not only information about God; it’s the voice of God in print.”

-Tony Evans

The word of God has the authority of God to put the plans of God in motion for my life but the pursuit of the American dream and the pursuit of personal freedom makes it difficult to yield to any authority.

James 1:22 But don't just listen to God's word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.

I need to remember that God is in charge, God wrote the Bible, therefore the Bible has authority over my life and I need to learn everything I can about what it says. But knowledge isn't all, I also need application, I need to allow it to influence my thinking and my actions so that I will please God.

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Salvation: Planned By God

God's plans started a long time ago and they have never changed.

Ephesians 1:1-6  This letter is from Paul, chosen by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus. I am writing to God's holy people in Ephesus, who are faithful followers of Christ Jesus.  2  May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.

3  All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ.   

4  Even before He made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in His eyes.  5  God decided in advance to adopt us into His own family by bringing us to Himself through Jesus Christ. This is what He wanted to do, and it gave Him great pleasure.   

6  So we praise God for the glorious grace He has poured out on us who belong to His dear Son.

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Making plans is something that most of us like to do, it gives us something to look forward to and it is also a source of hope. Having a plan will help us see that there is a way out of a bad situation and give us hope that a better day is coming.

Plans also help us to be organized and efficient but the plans that we come up with are always subject to change, since we don't know what is coming up in the future, we often make plans that we soon realize are not doable. God has the advantage when it comes to planning, he can see the complete picture and he will never have to say , "Oops!"

God was the first to make a plan and as old as his plan is it is still the same plan. God's plan was conceived before creation and you can see it carried out as the process of creation was done in the proper order. If he had made the elephant before he made dry land then we may not have elephants today since they would have nowhere to stand.

Part of God's plan was to have a relationship with people that are chosen by him, that concept is one of the most difficult and least liked doctrines in the Bible, the idea that some are chosen to be his and others are not is the doctrine of election.

We see election in the Old Testament when God chose Abraham over any other man on earth, next God chose Issac over Ishmael, Jacob instead of Esau, each time God made a choice that had nothing to do with human accomplishments, God chose and that was it.

John 6:44 For no one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws them to Me, and at the last day I will raise them up.

The doctrine of election is found in the New Testament as well, Jesus teaches us that we don't even have the ability to come to salvation unless we are drawn to him by God the Father, the choice wasn't made by us. We like to think that we did something in the process of salvation but we were so bad off that we needed help just to know that we were so bad off. We were completely at God's mercy to give us the desire and the faith to know him and accept his plan of salvation.

The ultimate question of why God chose some for salvation and left others in their sinful state is one that I cannot understand with my finite knowledge. I cannot understand his ways but I do know that he is perfect in his goodness, love, wisdom, and justice.

Thank you Lord for the greatest gift ever! I don't understand why the gift of salvation was offered to me but I receive it and want to share it with others.

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Playing Well With Others

Authority, everybody likes to have it and nobody likes to yield to it.

1 Peter 2:13-14 For the Lord’s sake, respect all human authority—whether the king as head of state, 14 or the officials he has appointed. For the king has sent them to punish those who do wrong and to honor those who do right.

1 Peter 2:18 You who are slaves must accept the authority of your masters with all respect. Do what they tell you—not only if they are kind and reasonable, but even if they are cruel.

1 Peter 3:1-2 In the same way, you wives must accept the authority of your husbands. Then, even if some refuse to obey the Good News, your godly lives will speak to them without any words. They will be won over 2 by observing your pure and reverent lives.

1 Peter 3:7-9 In the same way, you husbands must give honor to your wives. Treat your wife with understanding as you live together. She may be weaker than you are, but she is your equal partner in God’s gift of new life. Treat her as you should so your prayers will not be hindered.

8 Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude. 9 Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will bless you for it.

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Ever since the Garden of Eden, Satan has tempted us by questioning authority, he lied about God and Adam and Eve began to wonder about God's intentions and whether the rules that he gave them were fair. God's commandments have been questioned every moment of everyday ever since and we see the consequences all around us but we still want to live life our way.

Accepting authority and being submissive is required of every child of God, it is necessary in our relationships, starting with God and going down the line to every other relationship that we have. From government, the work place and our family, there is an order that God designed to help us live together in harmony.

We see the idea of submission demonstrated in the Trinity, all of them working together in unison, each of them fulfilling a role and each of them bringing glory to the other and doing what is beneficial to the Trinity.

✔ Jesus sought to bring glory to God the Father. (John 15:10)
✔ Jesus willingly died for us. (John 10:17-18)
✔ The Holy Spirit gives Jesus glory. (John 16:13-15)
✔ God the Father gave glory back to Jesus. (John 8:54, 17:24)
✔ The Holy Spirit didn't refuse when he was sent to us. (John 14:26, Acts 1:4-5)

Too bad we do not get to enjoy this oneness and cooperative spirit from the people that we relate to.

Philippians 2:3-8 Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. 4 Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. 5 You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. 6 Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. 7 Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, 8 he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.

Jesus is our ultimate example of submission and looking out for the needs of others. Deserving glory and honor yet he came to us selfless and humble to take care of us. We all need to follow Christ example and look for ways to bless others.

I need to yield to authority, give up my own authority and be submissive to others in my country, my workplace and with my family and friends. 

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