Life questions we ponder. A night sky full of countless stars makes us wonder. Is there a God? If so, why is the world so messed up? What is the meaning of life? Is there life after death? Questions without answers. Or are there?
Life questions we ponder. Is there a God?
For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. (ESV, Romans 1:19-30)
Does God exist? Yes or no are the two options. Creationists say God spoke the universe into existence and the complexity and intricacies of it scream intelligent design. Darwinists claim it was a chance event followed by billions of years of evolution, Neither side has absolute proof. Therefore, we all decide based on faith.
But that’s okay for Christ-followers. Because Jesus both expects and encourages us to exercise faith.
I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life. (ESV, 1 John 5:13)
Still, Christian faith is more than wishful thinking. Because it’s based on God’s word which includes hundreds of fulfilled prophecies. And it instills confidence the rest of scripture is also true along with the prophecies, yet to be fulfilled.
The Bible is God’s written word. And it reveals who He is, the problem with our world, the solution, and His plan for the future. The Bible is more than just God’s law. It is His guidebook for life.
Life questions we ponder. If God is in charge, why is the world so messed up?
For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. (ESV, Colossians 1:16-17)
God holds it together
If the universe is simply a cosmic, accidental assembly, what stops it from coming apart? Like a rip in the fabric of time. A glitch in gravity? Puncture in the atmosphere?
Scripture says it’s because God actively holds together. We don’t control climate change. God does. Furthermore, there are invisible aspects to creation beyond our human perception. And everything–both visible and invisible–is under God’s dominion.
God is working out a plan
Making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. (Ephesians 1:9-10)
It is the sin of mankind that causes chaos. Billions of humans exercising selfish desires in a huge swell of sin that inflicts pain, conflict, disease, and disaster. But God offers a solution. And orchestrates an ultimate plan behind the scenes and beyond our understanding. In other words, God is sovereign and guiding us towards an eternal conclusion.
Life questions we ponder. What is the meaning of life?
The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil. (ESV, Ecclesiastes 12:13-14)
King Solomon was the wisest person who ever live. And he searched for ultimate meaning by pursuing every pleasure and pursuit life on earth offered. What he described as life “under the sun.”
And his simple conclusion? A life without God is a vain effort and without meaning. Because God is the source of meaning and without Him you have nothing. Therefore, follow God’s commands and live a life pleasing to Him. For that will guide you into your next life.
Life questions we ponder. What happens when you die?
I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the father except by me.
Jesus spoke often about eternal life with two destinations: heaven and hell. Heaven is the preferred destination. However, contrary to a popular belief, you don’t earn your way by good behavior. But through faith in Jesus Christ who died as a sacrifice for our sins.
Because we all are sinners and sin disqualifies us from gaining entrance to heaven. However, Jesus died as a perfect sacrifice for our sins. Therefore, we enter heaven by confessing our sins to him and asking for his forgiveness.
So when you die, the question is not did your good deeds outweigh the bad ones. But did you express faith in and follow Jesus?
About Chip Tudor:
Chip Tudor is an author, blogger and professional writer. He publishes books, humorous Christian drama, and thought provoking blogs from a Christian worldview.This blog is originally published here.
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Marks of a mighty nation. Five hundred years before the arrival of Jesus Christ, the prophet Zechariah spoke of his coming. And provided the marks of a mighty nation.
Marks of a mighty nation. The source of it’s strength
I will make them strong in the Lord, and they will walk in my name. (ESV, Zechariah 10:12)
How do you become strong in the Lord and walk in His name? By worshipping the one true God. Accepting the Bible as His word. Cherishing it. Studying it. And applying its teachings to your life.
As you grow in understanding and following God’s word, you grow in knowing God. And His word guides your life on a path that seeks to honor and glorify Him.
Israel’s strength as a nation was always characterized by national faithfulness to God. And here, the prophet Zechariah affirms that promise. As long as the people remained faithful to God, He remained faithful to them.
Therefore, their confidence as a nation was never in themselves. But the power of their mighty God.
Marks of a mighty nation. Unified by its leader
Behold your king is coming to you righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. (ESV, Zechariah 9:9)
Zechariah foretells of a coming savior…the Lord Jesus Christ. And he accurately predicts the exact manner Jesus arrives to establish his kingdom. Riding on a donkey. However, contrary to popular opinion, Jesus established a spiritual throne rather than a political one. His mission was not to set Israel free from Roman oppression, but to free mankind from the oppression of sin.
Rather than demonstrate physical power, Jesus demonstrated spiritual power and conquered sin through his sacrificial death on the cross. It was an act of humlity and submission to his Father’s will.
And those who submit to his Lordship and live in humble relationship with one another are unified in his name. And empowered through His Spirit. Jesus began an unexpected revolution. One that takes place within the heart.
Marks of a mighty nation. The fear of its God subdues its enemies.
From the nations of every tongue shall take hold of the robe of a Jew, saying, “Let us go with you for we have heard that God is with you. (ESV, Zechariah 8:23)
God’s covenant with Israel was established with Abraham, somewhere between 2100 – 1900 B.C. From then to now the nation had a hot and cold history of faithfulness to God. It narrowly avoided extinction several times when it was rescued and restored by God. And usually involved a spiritual recommittment of the people to God.
Faithfulness to God has remained the source of its success.
A shared committment to God unifies through common purpose and practice of faith. Which in turn, establishes shared moral beliefs and common cultural practices. This promotes a stable economy and fosters military power. Even more, it builds strength of national character, resilency, and resolve.
But it was the power of Israel’s God that their enemies most feared. A God that defeated entire armies without Israel even going to battle. So that Israel’s enemies sought peace rather than war.
Yes, King David built a formidable army and his “mighty men” were legendary. But even more impressive was a young shepherd boy who defeated Goliath with a sling and stone, but backed by a mighty God.
So rather than walk softly and carry a big stick, perhaps a better approach is “walk humbly and serve a big God.”
About Chip Tudor:
Chip Tudor is an author, blogger and professional writer. He publishes books, humorous Christian drama, and thought provoking blogs from a Christian worldview.This blog is originally published here.
The mark of godly leaders. Around 520 B.C. a remnant of Israel was released from captivitiy in Babylon and resettled in their homeland of Judah. Two Jewish leaders were appointed to oversee them. Zerubbabel as governor and Joshua as high priest. And Zechariah the prophet had a word from God for both of them.
The mark of godly leaders. They submit to God’s higher authority
Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit says the Lord. (ESV, Zechariah 4:6)
Zerubbabel, a descedent of King David, was appointed as governor of Judah by King Darius of Babylon. And it makes you wonder. Did he feel a sense of royal lineage? A tinge of kingly entitlement? We don’t know. But we do know that shortly after his appointment, God spoke to him through the prophet Zechariah. It was a reminder on who was the final authority.
Thousands of years later, the potential for political corruption and abuse of power thrives today. And we recognize the difference between leaders who wield power over people and those who work for the people. It all comes down to who you represent.
Zechariah reminded Zerubbabel that he represented the Lord God who was ultimately in charge. Therefore, Zerubbabel’s power was subject to God’s authority. And the same is true today. Godly leaders should not let power avert their eyes from God. But seek His Spirit instead. Because the nearer leaders are to God, the closer they are to the center of His will. And leading according to His dictates.
The mark of godly leaders. They are first to keep God’s laws
If you walk in my ways and keep my charge, then you shall rule my house and have charge of my courts, and I will give you the right of access among those who are standing here. (ESV, Zechariah 3:7)
Joshua, a descendent of Zadok the priest, was appointed as high priest. And responsible for leading the people in all religious matters. So you’d think Zechariah’s words to him were unnecessary. After all, we expect religious leaders to follow God’s ways. Isn’t that what we pay them for?
And by God’s grace, most do. But even religious leaders sin. And unfortunately, we still see those moral failures in headlines too. However, it’s seldom the result of a sudden, significant sin. But a slow fade. The result of not keeping regular, spiritual company with the Lord and less diligence to walking in His ways.
But when godly leaders pave the way to following God, His blessings flow.
The mark of godly leaders. They deliver God’s charge to the people
Render true judgments, show kindness and mercy to one another, do not oppress the widow, the fatherless, the sojourner, or the poor, and let none of you devise evil against another in your heart. (ESV, Zechariah 7:9-10)
The Bible presents consistent moral teachings that when followed, make the world better. Because they foster equality, fairness, and sharing among humanity. Not by legal mandates, but by moral agreement among the people.
Ideally, there’s a trickle down effect. God issues His law to the leaders. They acknowledge and submit to His authority. Then pass the law on to the people. And the people embrace it in their hearts and consciences in a desire to please God. Then live it out individually and collectively to form a better society.
Of course, the presence of sin will always play spoiler. And evil will cause conflict and suffering. But that will one day be abolished. In the mean time, godly leaders can help hold it back and influence those they lead to do the same.
About Chip Tudor:
Chip Tudor is an author, blogger and professional writer. He publishes books, humorous Christian drama, and thought provoking blogs from a Christian worldview.This blog is originally published here.
Looking for a Bible Study for yourself or small group?
When a people return to God. Israel has an on and off again history of following God. It’s recorded numerous times throughout the Old Testament. And the book of Haggai is one of those occassions. The prophet urges them to return to their God after a period of exile in Babylon. And their faithful response removes consequences and returns blessings.
When a people return to God. The leaders go first.
“Is it a time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, while this house lies in ruins? (ESV, Haggai 1:4)
It was around 520 B.C. A remnant population of Israel had returned home to Judah after years of exile in Babylon. They rebuilt their lives and their homes. But God’s temple still lay in ruins from its destruction when the city was conquered by Babylon. Now, a symbol of spiritual neglect.
Then and now, a population’s spiritual emptiness frays its moral fabric. More ominous than the surrounding presence of enemies on its borders, it weakens the nation’s character through complacency and indifference among the people. And represents a real, existential threat.
The prophet Haggai woke the people up from their spiritual slumber. Not with words of condemnation, but of encouragement with a challenge. God had not forgotten them. But while they had rebuilt their lives and now lived in comfortable homes, God’s house was still in ruins. Just like their faith in God. So it was time for them to return to their spiritual heritage.
National unity is always stronger when the leaders go first. In this story, that was Zerubbabel, the son of Jehozadak and governor of Judah, and Joshua, the son of Jehozadak and high priest who were first responders.
When a people return to God. There’s a coporate call for repentance.
Thus says the Lord of hosts: Consider your ways. Go up to the hills and bring wood and build the house, that I may take pleasure in it and that I may be glorified, says the Lord. (ESV, Haggai 1:8)
Repentance means to turn away from and turn to. And it can be individual or corporate in nature. But it begins with self examination and acknowledging your ways fall woefully short of God’s ways. The book of Haggai involves the corporate repentance and response of the entire nation of Israel. And the birth of spiritual renewal started with rebuilding God’s temple.
However, true repentance is not measured by merely an action. But a change of heart. And the people of Israel demonstrated a unity of spirit and purpose as they rebuilt the temple in four years.
It is the heart that matters most to God. Sure, he wants us to offer our best. Not warmed up left-overs. But always with a heart that desires to please Him.
When a people return to God. The people respond faithfully and God returns blessings.
Of course there are differences of spiritual fervor among a nation of people. Those who are spiritually on fire with a burning desire to worship, praise, and please God. While others lean towards lukewarm. Some that simply go with the flow and drop out at the first hardship. And always the obstinate. Firmly hardened hearts unwilling to submit before God.
In the story of Haggai, God removed the consequences of the people and returned blessings instead. It is a lesson Americans should consider too. The questions is, are enough people listening and willing to respond?
About Chip Tudor:
Chip Tudor is an author, blogger and professional writer. He publishes books, humorous Christian drama, and thought provoking blogs from a Christian worldview.This blog is originally published here.
Looking for a Bible Study for yourself or small group?
The meaning of Believer’s baptism. Christian denominations practice varying forms of baptism and hold different beliefs about its meaning. Here’s a look at its beginning and meaning revealed in scripture.
The meaning of Believer’s baptism. It is an immediate response of following Jesus.
And they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. (ESV, Matthew 17:6)
Matthew 3:1-17 records the ministry of John the Baptist. He introduced baptism and was baptizing people in the Jordan river who desired to make their life right with God when Jesus began his ministry. Since this was before Jesus was crucified, John baptized them for the repentance of sins. The Greek word for “baptized” in Matthew 3:6 is baptizo, which means to immerse.
When Jesus presents himself to John for baptism we automatically ask why? Wasn’t Jesus free of sin?
John made the same observation. Jesus should baptize him instead of the other way around. And yet, as Jesus emerged from the water following his baptism, God spoke his approval.
This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.
Jesus submitted to baptism in obedience to God the Father and as an example for us. When we accept Jesus as Lord and Savior, our immediate response is to follow his example.
An example of this appears in the story of Phillip who witnessed to an Ethiopian Eunich. Right after his conversion, the Eunich asked Phillip to baptize him.
The meaning of Believer’s baptism, It symbolizes Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection
Having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through your faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead. (ESV, Colossians 2:12)
Today, baptism takes different forms among Christian denominations and has different meanings. But let’s consider what scripture says.
John the Baptist preached a message of repentance and baptized his converts as a response to their confession of sin. But that changed after the resurrection of Jesus. Because now, we confess our sins and repent to him. However, baptism is still an important response, but its meaning is different. And we call it Believer’s baptism because it follows after someone professes faith in Jesus Christ.
Furthermore, it has nothing to do with earning salvation. Because we are saved by the shed blood of Jesus Christ. But it symbolically pictures the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. As Jesus died, was buried and resurrected, new followers of Jesus die to their old life of sin, are buried through baptism, and raised to a new life in Christ.
The Apostle Paul identifies this new life in 2 Corinthians 5:17.
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
The meaning of Believer’s baptism. It is a public declaration of your faith in Jesus Christ
Following Jesus is a public decision. But the desire for acceptance in the culture is a real and powerful pressure. And it tells us to remain quiet about our faith. Especially if we want to be accepted by others in society. That it’s a private matter and unsuitable for public discourse. Therefore, don’t acknowlege Jesus openly in your daily life. Save that for church on Sunday.
But that’s not what Jesus instructs in Matthew 28:19-20.
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.
Of course Jesus understands the pressure of the culture. He faced it himself. Both from people inside and outside of his religious community. But he remained courageously and uncompromisingly steadfast. And was finally crucufied for it. But he challenges us to remain steadfast too. Along with a warning.
If you deny me before men I will deny you before my Father in heaven.
God’s word is timeless, unchanging, and rejected by today’s culture. To follow its truth and declare Jesus as Lord sets you against mainstream ideology. And to publically demonstrate the decision through baptism calls for personal committment and courage. But is completely worth it.
About Chip Tudor:
Chip Tudor is an author, blogger and professional writer. He publishes books, humorous Christian drama, and thought provoking blogs from a Christian worldview.This blog is originally published here.
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When God fights your battles. There are many stories in scripture where God fights for his people. A lesser known story is recorded in 2 Chronicles 30-32 when Hezekiah is king of Judah. Here are some thoughts about it.
When God fights your battles. Consecrate yourself to God
And the priests and the Levites were ashamed, so that they consecrated themselves and brought burnt offerings into the house of the LORD. (ESV, 2 Chronicles 30:15)
King Hezekiah was 25 when he began to rule the kingdom of Judah. Unlike his father, King Ahaz, he was faithful to God and sought to restore Israel’s covenant relationship with God. He purged the land of pagan idols and cleansed the temple. And now, after years of idol worship, the priests and Levites suddenly reappear. What were they doing all the time the Jewish people were worshipping pagan idols? We don’t know. But a good guess, is probably not much in the way of spiritual leadership because they were ashamed.
Therefore, the priests and Levites consecrated themselves before God. The Hebrew word for “consecrate” is qâdâsh, which means to ceremonially or morally purify or sanctify. In other words, they rededicated themselves to God before spiritually leading the people. So before you take on a spiritual battle, first, make sure you are right with God.
It reminds us that for Christ-followers, every battle includes a spiritual component. And spiritual readiness includes mindful attention to personal holiness. No, we won’t reach moral perfection. And God does not expect it. But we should regularly examine our hearts and confess our sins to God. Because as we present ourselves faithful to God, He is faithful to us.
When God fights your battles. Prepare for the fight
He set to work resolutely and built up all the wall that was broken down and raised towers upon it,and outside it he built another wall, and he strengthened the Millo in the city of David. He also made weapons and shields in abundance. (ESV, 2 Chronicles 32:5)
Knowing God wins every fight can encourage complacency. Pull up a chair, relax with popcorn, and watch God do His thing. But God expects us to do our part too. As James 2:26 says, “As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead..”
Christ-followers are not to be spectators, but active participants in God’s work. That’s why God ordered Joshua and his army to march around Jericho for seven straight days and then seven times on the last day. And He instructed Gideon to surround the encamped Midian army with 300 men armed with torches and trumpets. Ridiculous military strategies that made Joshua and Gideon look and probably feel silly. And yet, God delivered victory both times.
Hezekiah also took nothing for granted, and did his part to prepare for battle. He diverted a water source, fortified the city walls, made extra weapons, and lifted the spirits of his people by assuring them God had their back.
When God fights your battles. Prayer is the mightiest weapon
Then Hezekiah the king and Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz, prayed because of this and cried to heaven. (ESV, 2 Chronicles 32:20)
However, as Sennacherib, the king of Assyria beseiged the city with a massive army, he used scare tactics to demoralize the people. He shouted to them from outside the city walls. Who were they to think their God could protect them from his powerful army? None of the gods of the other people he conquered had stopped him. He mocked them and their God.
So Hezekiah and the prophet Isaiah cried out to God in prayer. It should be the first item on our battle preparation list. And involve a regular encounter with God rather than a last minute plea. Because it is the most powerful, spiritual weapon of all. But like previous enemies of God’s people, Sennacherib made a fatal mistake. He proudly over estimated his power against the power of an Amighty God.
Therefore, God sent an angel who destroyed the mighty warriors in Sennacherib’s army and he returned home in shame where his own sons killed him. And the Apostle Paul’s words affirm the truth of God’s word.
What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? (ESV, Romans 8:31)
About Chip Tudor:
Chip Tudor is an author, blogger and professional writer. He publishes books, humorous Christian drama, and thought provoking blogs from a Christian worldview.This blog is originally published here.
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