Why Do You Stand Looking into Heaven?

 "Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken from you into heaven, will come in the same way. you saw him go into heaven" (Acts 1:11).

The angels spoke to men of Galilee. It was an unimportant area in a despised part of a great empire. Yet these were the men our Lord Jesus chose to befriend, train, and prepare for the task of world evangelization. Like our Lord, we. must never despise small people and small beginnings.

The men stood and stared. It is understandable they would do this. They witnessed many wonderful things in three years with Jesus, but the past forty days were most amazing of all. Jesus had returned to life and now, in super-natural fashion, had returned to heaven. But God does not want his men to just stand and stare. He has work for them to do and therefore sends his angels to get them moving. And we should also be obeying Jesus instructions to witness for him in this world. 

But the angels remind the disciples of another great truth. Jesus will come again. This is not the last time they will see him. They will experience his presence in ministry as many come to faith. They will see him when they follow him in martyrdom. And one day, he will come again on the clouds in glory and power. 

Better to Get Wisdom Than Gold

 "How much better to get wisdom than gold. To get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver" (Proverbs 16:16).

Wisdom and understanding are greater than treasure. This is true, first of all, because God made the world through Wisdom. He is wisdom. In the biblical literature it can be said that having genuine wisdom is having a relationship with the Word. Through him, the wise Word, was made everything that was made. Possessing wisdom shows his ruling presence in your life.

Another way wisdom is greater that treasure is evidenced in the wise man's ability to care for himself and others. A man of wisdom and understanding can replace his treasure. That is, he knows the value of labor, of saving, looking to the future, and storing up. Many fools with treasure find themselves with nothing and are then unable to replace their goods or even take modest care of themselve.

The man of wisdom and understanding also enjoys the pleasure of an active mind and enlightened heart. Oh what adventures, joys, refreshments, and fascinating considerations are available in the mind of a wise man. He need never be bored or without occupation. Wisdom and understanding are God's gifts. 

Just as I am Not of the World

"I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one" (John 17:14-15). 

There are at least three amazing kindnesses from Jesus here. First, he give us God's word. How wonderful it is to receive the truth, wisdom, instruction, and gospel of God. We have it in Holy Scripture and in the person of the Holy Son of God himself. The word of the Father, given us by the Son, and illuminated by the Holy Spirit.

Second, Jesus identifies with us here. Again, he tells his disciples the world will hate them. as they live by his word, the unbelieving way of thinking, living, and desiring that permeates human nature and society will be offended by them. They will be a scandal to it. But here Jesus offers encouragement saying his disciples are like him in this way. What honor is given to men to associate with the Lord like this.

Third, Jesus prays for us. The mighty Christ prays that his Father will keep us from the evil one. It is a great comfort and wonder that sinners like me would be mentioned in the prayers of the Sinless One. Of course, one day we will be out of this world and in heaven with him. But for now we have his word, he is our friend, and he prays for us. 

Be of Good Courage

 "Be of good courage, and let us be courageous for our people, and for the cities of our God, and may the Lord do what seems good to him" (2 Samuel 10:1).

Courage and trust in the Lord's providence go hand in hand. The armies of Israel, let by Joab and his brother are surrounded by enemies, Things look bleak. And yet, it is just the right time for manly courage. O Lord help us to respond to trouble with brave hearts. There is far too much whining and weakness among men today. Courage is needed! It is needed for marriages, families and the church. 

This is no an unintelligent courage. It is courage based on trust in God who works all things together for the good of those who love him. Even what others mean for evil, God can use for good. Joab's finest moment comes when he believes in the goodness of God, whether the battle is lost or won. He is, in faith ready to take a risk for God's people, for God's cities.

What do we need courage for today? Busy schedules, hard relationships, pressure to conform to the world, the temptations of the flesh, health concerns, limited and diminishing resources, or other problems that seem unsolvable? Let us face these things bravely, knowing that our God is good and he is with us. We need not fear taking risks for him.  

He Knows the Secrets of the Heart

 "... would not God discover this? For he knows the secrets of the heart" (Psalm 144:21).

There are many implications to the truth of this verse. First, there is nothing hidden from God. No secret sins really, He knows it all.

Second, since he knows our hearts, we ought to deal with him in the level of our hearts. That is, we ought to see to rightly relate to him. This requires a deep honesty and transparency before him. Too often we play our little games, as if we could hide who we really are. Yet, like our first parents, we are absurdly covering ourselves. it is ineffectual, impossible, and ridiculous to attempt hiding our hearts from God.

Third, this is a reason the Lord hates hypocrisy. He knows when our outward actions are a mere show. Clearly acting on sin is worse than just thinking about it, but both are damnable apart from Christ. We do not want to be whitewashed tombs.

Fourth, God knows the pain in our hearts. If anyone understands and can comfort us, it is the Lord, He sees and knows even better than we do ourselves. He is the One we can share with, talk to, meditate on, count on, and seek soul health from without any pretense. 

So let us live, pray, confess, worship, and share from the heart. O Lord God, our hearts are open.  

I Am with You Always

"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age" (Matthew 28:19-20).

The mission of the church includes making disciples. A disciple is a follower and a learner. In this case, these are followers of an learners about the God of the Bible. These disciples have a relationship with the Triune God and this is signified by baptism into his Triune Name.

It is also the mission of the church to teach observance of Christ's commandments. all he commanded is important. Thus, the teachers of the church must communicate the whole counsel of God. And the goal is not mere head knowledge, but heart transformation that results in changed lives.

This is the Great Commission and with it comes the Great Assurance that Jesus will be with his people. The spread of the gospel around the world, the maturing of disciples, the empowerment to teach, changed hearts eager to observe and obey, all come through the mighty working of our God who is always with us. And he will be with us to the end. 

A Snare in Your Midst

 "Take care, lest you make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land to which you go, lest it become a snare in your midst" (Exodus 24:12).

This command to remain separate is often repeated throughout the book of Exodus. God does not want his chosen and redeemed people to be like the world.

This is, of course, not about Israel being better that others. They were sinful and idolatrous in their own right. The instruction here in Exodus 24 comes in the aftermath of the golden calf incident with all its immoral revelry. The people of Israel themselves need a forgiving God. They need the Lord and all his powerful means of grace.

So the instruction above is about truth, it is about reality. Neither the Israelites or the inhabitants of the land will be free and forgiven unless they trust in the Lord. The call to holiness and separateness, therefore is not about superiority of one over another. It is about gospel truth. 

Are we living the truth? When we look like and live like the unbelieving culture around us, we are not making gospel connections to help Christianity grow. The gospel thrives in a context of genuine holiness. The world needs to know the difference-making God.